The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

Chapter 8
How to discern our title to the Saints' Rest
Is there such a glorious rest so near at hand and shall none enjoy it but
the people of God? What mean most of the world, then, to live so
contentedly without assurance of their interest in this rest, and neglect the
trying of their title to it? When the Lord has so fully opened the blessedness
of that kingdom which none but obedient believers shall possess; and so fully
expressed those torments which the rest of the world must eternally suffer;
methinks they that believe this to be certainly true, should never be at any
quiet in themselves, till they are fully assured of their being heirs of the
kingdom. Lord, what a strange madness is this, that men, who know they
must presently enter upon unchangeable joy or pain, should yet live as
uncertain what shall be their doom as if they had never heard of any such
state; yea, and live as quietly and merrily in this uncertainty as if all were
made sure, and there were no danger! Are these men alive, or dead? Are they
awake, or asleep? What do they think on? Where are their hearts? If they
have but a weighty suit at law, how careful are they to know whether it will
go for or against them! If they were to be tried for their lives at an earthly
bar, how careful would they be to know whether they should he saved or
condemned, especially if their care might surely save them! If they be
dangerously sick they will inquire of the physician, "What think you, sir;
shall I escape, or not?" But in the business of their salvation they are content
to be uncertain.
If you ask of most men "a reason of the hope that is in them," they will
say, "Because God is merciful, and Christ died for sinners," and the like
general reasons, which any man in the world may give as well as they, but
put them to prove their interest in Christ and in the saving mercy of God, and
they can say nothing to the purpose. If God or man should say to one of
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