The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

thee, that thou canst no more ascend in divine meditation than a bird can fly
when its wings are clipped. Sin cuts the very sinews of this heavenly life. O
man! what a life dost thou lose! What daily delights dost thou sell for vile
lusts! If heaven and hell can meet together, and God become a lover of sin,
then mayst thou live in thy sin, and in the foretastes of glory and have a
conversation in heaven, though thou cherish thy corruption. And take heed
lest it banish thee from heaven, as it does thy heart. And though thou be not
guilty, and knowest no reigning sin in thy soul, think what a sad thing it
would be, if ever this should prove thy case. Watch, therefore especially
resolve to keep from the occasions of sin, and out of the way of temptations.
What need have we daily to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil!"
2. An earthly mind is another hinderance carefully to be avoided. God
and mammon, earth and heaven cannot both have the delight of thy heart.
When the heavenly believer is blessing himself in his God, and rejoicing in
hope of the glory to come; perhaps thou art blessing thyself in thy worldly
prosperity, and rejoicing in hope of thy thriving here. When he is comforting
his soul in the views of Christ, of angels and saints, whom he shall live with
for ever; then thou art comforting thyself with thy wealth, in looking over thy
bills and bonds, thy goods, thy cattle, or thy buildings; and in thinking of the
favor of the great, of the pleasure of a plentiful estate, of larger provisions for
thy children after thee, of the advancement of thy family, or the increase of
thy dependants. If Christ pronounced him a fool that said, "Soul, take thy
ease; thou hast much goods laid up for many years;" how much more so art
thou, who, knowingly, speakest in thy heart the same words! Tell, what
difference between this fool's expressions and thy affections? Remember,
thou hast to do with the Searcher of hearts. Certainly, so much as thou
delightest and takest up thy rest on earth, so much of thy delight in God is
abated. Thine earthly mind may consist with thy outward profession and
common duties, but it cannot consist with this heavenly duty. Thou thyself
knowest how seldom and cold, how cursory and reserved thy thoughts have
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