The Third Part: Several Uses Of The Former Doctrine Of Rest
THE THIRD PART
TO MY DEARLY BELOVED FRIENDS
THE
INHABITANTS
THE CITY OF COVENTRY,
BOTH MAGISTRATES AND PEOPLE,
RICHARD BAXTER devoteth this part of this Treatise, in thankful acknowledgment of their great affection toward him, and ready acceptance of his labours among them, which is the highest recompense, if joined with obedience, that a faithful minister can expect; HUMBLY beseeching the Lord on their behalf, that he will save them from that spirit of pride, hypocrisy, dissension, and giddiness, which is of late years gone forth, and is now destroying and making havoc of the churches of Christ; and that he will teach them highly to esteem those faithful teachers whom the Lord hath made rulers over them, (1 Thes. 5:12, 13; Heb. 13:7, 17,) and to know them so to be, and to obey them: and that he will keep them unspotted of the guilt of those sins, which in these days have been the shame of our religion, and have made us a scandal or scorn to the world.
CHAP. I
SECT. I. Whatsoever the soul of man doth entertain, must make its first entrance at the understanding; which must be satisfied, first of its truth, and, secondly, of its goodness, before it find any further admittance; if this porter be negligent, it will admit of any thing that bears but the face or name of truth and goodness; but if it be faithful, able, and diligent in its office, it will examine strictly, and search to the quick; what is found deceitful, it casteth out, that it go no further; but what is found to be sincere and current, it letteth in to the very heart, where the will and affections do with welcome entertain it, and by concoction, as it were, incorporate it into their own substance.
Accordingly, I have been hitherto presenting to your understandings, first, the excellency of the rest of saints, in the first part of this book; and then the verity in the second part. I hope your understandings have now tasted this food, and tried what hath been expressed. Truth fears not the light. This perfect beauty abhorreth darkness; nothing but ignorance of its worth can disparage it. Therefore search, and spare not; read, and read again, and then judge. What think you; is it good, or is it not? nay, is it not the chiefest good? And is there any thing in goodness to be compared with it? And is it true, or is it not?
Nay, is there any thing in the world more certain, than that there remaineth a rest to the people of God? Why, if your understandings are convinced of both these, I do here, in the behalf of God and his truth, and in the behalf of your own souls, and their life, require the further entertainment hereof; and that you take this blessed subject of rest, and commend it as you have found it to your wills and affections; let your hearts now cheerfully embrace it, and improve it, and I shall present it to you, in its respective uses.
And though the laws of method do otherwise direct me, yet because I conceive it most profitable, I will lay close together in the first place, all those uses that most concern the ungodly, that they may know where to find their lesson, and not to pick it up and down intermixed with uses of another strain. And then I shall lay down those uses that are more proper to the godly by themselves in the end.