The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

among us verily expect to be saved; yet Christ tells us, "there be few that
find the strait gate and narrow way which leadeth unto life." And if such
multitudes are deceived, should we not search the more diligently, lest we
should be deceived as well as they? Nothing is more dangerous than to be
thus mistaken. If the godly judge their state worse than it is, the
consequences of this mistake will be sorrowful; but the mischief flowing
from the mistake of the ungodly is unspeakable. It will exceedingly confirm
them in the service of Satan. It will render ineffectual the means that should
do them good. It will keep a man from compassionating his own soul. It is a
case of the greatest moment, where everlasting salvation or damnation is to
be determined. And if you mistake till death, you are undone for ever.
Seeing, then, the danger is so great, what wise man would not follow the
search of his heart both day and night till he were assured of his safety?
Consider how small the labor of this duty in comparison of that sorrow
which follows its neglect. You can endure to toil and sweat from year to
year, to prevent poverty and why not spend a little time in self-examination,
to prevent eternal misery? By neglecting this duty you can scarce do Satan a
greater pleasure, or yourself a greater injury. It is the grand design of the
devil, in all his temptations, to deceive you, and keep you ignorant of your
danger till you feel the everlasting flames; and will you join with him to
deceive yourself? If you do this for him, you do the greatest part of his work.
And hath he deserved so well of you, that you should assist him in such a
design as your damnation? The time is nigh when God will search you. If it
be but in this life by affliction, it will make you wish that you had tried and
judged yourself, that you might have escaped the judgment of God. It was a
terrible voice to Adam, "Where art thou? Hast thou eaten of the tree?" And to
Cain, "Where is thy brother?" Men "consider not in their hearts that," saith
the Lord, "remember all their wickedness; now their own doings have beset
them about; they are before my face."
Consider also what would be the sweet effects of this self-examination.
If thou be upright and godly, it will lead thee straight toward assurance of
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