The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

of reason; if thy reason begin to dispute, produce the command of God, and
urge thy own necessity, with the other considerations suggested in the former
chapter. Let not such an incomparable treasure lie before thee, with thy hand
in thy bosom; nor thy life be a continual vexation, when it might be a
continual feast, only because thou wilt not exert thyself. Sit not still with a
disconsolate spirit while comforts grow before thine eyes, like a man in the
midst of a garden of flowers, that will not rise to get them and partake of
their sweetness. This I know, Christ is the fountain; but the well is deep, and
thou must get forth this water before thou canst be refreshed with it. I know,
so far as you are spiritual, you need not all this striving and violence; but in
part you are carnal, and as long as it is so, there is need of labor. It was the
custom of the Parthians not to give their children any meat in the morning
before they saw the sweat on their faces with some labor. And you shall find
this to be God's usual course, not to give his children the tastes of his delights
till they begin to sweat in seeking after them. Judge, therefore, whether a
heavenly life or thy carnal ease be better; and, as a wise man, make thy
choice accordingly. Yet, let me add for thy encouragement, thou needest not
employ thy thoughts more than thou now dost; it is only to fix them upon
better and more pleasant objects. Employ but as many serious thoughts every
day upon the excellent glory of the life to come, as thou now doest upon
worldly affairs, yea, on vanities and impertinences, and thy heart will soon
be in heaven. On the whole, it is "the field of the slothful that is all grown
over with thorns and nettles; and the desire of the slothful killeth his joy, for
his hands refuse to labor; and it is the slothful man that saith, There is a lion
in the way, a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon its hinges, so
doth the slothful man upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his
bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth," though it be to feed
himself with the food of life. What is this but throwing away our
consolations, and consequently the precious blood that bought them? For "he
that is slothful in his work, is brother to him that is a great waster." Apply
this to thy spiritual work, and study well the meaning of it.
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