The Saints' Everlasting Rest (Book)

by Richard Baxter

in mobi, ePub & .pdf formats

Richard Baxter's The Saints' Everlasting Rest (1650) has long been recognized as one of the great classics of Christian devotion, and it is by this book that he is best known. The original work consists of some eight hundred thousand words-a clear example of Baxter's prolific pen-yet in Baxter's own life-time it reached twelve editions!  During from a serious illness, Baxter set his pen to write about heaven:  What is it like? Who will be there? How can we prepare for it? He believed that heaven was a state of perfect freedom from evil where Christians can enjoy pure union with God. Baxter encourages us live a heavenly life on earth by dweeling on thoughts of heaven and so can better prepare ourselves for it. Although our ability to comprehend heaven has been sullied by the fall. but despite his imperfect knowledge, Baxter's meditations can help guide the saints as they ruminate about the glory to come. As a classic devotional, Saints' Everlasting Rest enables readers to catch a glimpse of what heaven will be like.

-----

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE FIRST PART

I.There remaineth, therefore, a rest for the people of God

II. This rest defined

III. What this rest presupposeth

IV.What this rest containeth

V. The four great preparatives to our rest

VI.This rest most excellent, discovered by reason

VII. The excellencies of our rest

VIII. The people of God described

The conclusion

THE SECOND PART: THE PROOFS OF THE TRUTH AND CERTAIN FUTURITY OF OUR REST; AND THAT THE SCRIPTURE PROMISING THAT REST TO US, IS THE PERFECT INFALLIBLE WORD AND LAW OF GOD

I.

II. Motives to study and preach the divine authority of Scripture

III. 

IV.The first argument to prove Scripture to be the World of God

V. The second argument

VI.The third argument

VII.The fourth argument

VIII.Rest for none but the people of God, proved

IX.Reasons why this rest remains, and is not here enjoyed

X.Whether the souls departed enjoy this rest before the resurrection

THE THIRD PART: SEVERAL USES OF THE FORMER DOCTRINE OF REST

I.Use 1.—Showing the unconceivable misery of the ungodly in their loss of this rest

II. The aggravation of the loss of heaven to the ungodly

III. They shall lose all things that are comfortable, as well as heaven

IV. The greatness of the torments of the damned discovered

V. Use 2.—Reprehending the general neglect of this rest, and exciting to diligence in seeking it

VI. An exhortation to seriousness in seeking rest

VII. Use 3.—Persuading all men to try their title to this rest; and directing them how to try, that they may know

VIII. Further causes of doubting among Christians

IX. Containing an exhortation, and motives to examine

X. Containing directions for examination, and some marks for trial

XI. A more exact inquiry into the number and use of marks; the nature of sincerity; with other things of great moment in the work of self-examination

XII. Use 4.—The reason of the saints' afflictions here 

XIII. Use 5.—An exhortation to those that have got assurance of this rest, or title to it, that they would do all that they possibly can to help others to it also 

XIV. An advice to some more specially to help others to this rest, pressed largely on ministers and parents 

THE FOURTH PART: A DIRECTORY FOR THE GETTING AND KEEPING OF THE HEART IN HEAVEN

To the inhabitants of the town of Shrewsbury 

The Introduction 

I. Use 6.—Reproving our expectations of rest on earth 

II. Use 7.—Reproving our unwillingness to die 

III. Motives to a heavenly life 

IV. Containing some hinderances of a heavenly life 

V. Some general helps to a heavenly life 

VI. Containing the description of the great duty of heavenly contemplation 

VII. Containing the fittest time and place for this contemplation, and the preparation of the heart unto it 

VIII. Of consideration, the instrument of this work; and what force it hath to move the soul 

IX. What affections must be acted, and by what considerations and objects, and in what order 

X. By what actings of the soul to proceed in this work of heavenly contemplation 

XI. Some advantages and helps for raising and affecting the soul by this meditation 

XII. How to manage and watch over the heart through the whole work 

XIII. The abstract, or sum of all, for the use of the weak 

THE CONCLUSION 

Broughton in the conclusion of his 'Consent of Scripture,' concerning the New Jerusalem, and the everlasting Sabbatism, meant in my text, as begun here, and perfected in heaven 

A Poem of Master G. Herbert, in his 'Temple' 

An Addition to the Eleventh Chapter of the Third Part of the Saint's Rest 

To the Reader 

By Topic

Joy

By Scripture

Old Testament

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

New Testament

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jude

Revelation

By Author

Latest Links