The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

love itself, shall perfectly love me, and rest in his love to me, as I shall rest in
my love to him; and rejoice over me with joy, and joy over me with singing,
as I shall rejoice in him!
2. "How near is that most blessed, joyful day! It comes apace. ‘He that
shall come will come, and will not tarry! Though my Lord seems to delay his
coming, yet a little while and he will be here. What is a few hundred years
when they are over? How surely will his sign appear! How suddenly will he
seize upon the careless world, even ‘as the lightning cometh out of the east
and shineth unto the west!' He who is gone hence shall so come. Methinks I
hear his trumpet sound! Methinks I see him coming in clouds, with his
attending angels, in majesty and glory!
3. "O, secure sinners! what now will you do? where will you hide
yourselves? what shall cover you? Mountains are gone; the heavens and the
earth, which were, are passed away; the devouring fire hath consumed all,
except yourselves, who must be the fuel for ever. O that you could consume
as soon as the earth, and melt away as did the heavens! Ah, these wishes are
now but vain! The Lamb himself would have been your friend; he would
have loved you, and ruled you, and now have saved you; but you would not
then and now it is too late. Cry not, Lord, Lord; it is too late, too late. Why
dost thou look about? can any save thee? Whither dost thou run? can any
hide thee? O, wretch, that hast brought thyself to this!
4. "Now, blessed saints, that have believed and obeyed! this is the end of
faith and patience. This is it for which you prayed and waited. Do you now
repent your sufferings and sorrows, your self-denial and holy walking? Are
your tears of repentance now bitter or sweet? See how the Judge smiles upon
you: there is love in his looks; the titles of Redeemer, Husband, Head, are
written in his amiable, shining face. Hark, he calls you! he bids you stand
here on his right hand: fear not, for there he sets his sheep. O joyful
sentence! ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
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