Baxter - BT767 B28 1662

DoB'. Thatthofe that preferthe Learning of the 'WordojChrift to gu.ide them by Holimfs ta E11er/afltng Happinefs, 6efore llll the ltrwer matters of this world, are the] that &bfJofe the Brtter 1art, eveH thAt which foa/J never be tllf<!n from them. · If now tl1e word of Chrifl: alone would ferveyour turn, I had done my work : I needed nor .to go any funber : You would be now rcfolved, that Hu.ven .tndHolinefs is befl, and wouldJet yo·ur lmrrts and lives to fecit it ; and fo it would be your own for ever. But this Text bath long fiood in the Gofpel, and men have heard and read it often, and yet the mofi are noc perfwaded ; and therefore I mull try to open it a little farther to you , and plead it with you, and work the Reafon of it upon your minds. · l!teader, our bu[lnefs is butto enquire, Whatit isthP!t is Deft fer M•m to {et hjs heArt on And/et k. .:ifter in his Life, and Enjoy fer ever 1 I fay, it is the E verl11fting Enjeyment of God in Heaven : For Chrift f.:1ith fo. Ifthou think ocherwife,fet us debate the cafe. If thrm believe as I do, Live as thou profeffefi to beline. If men did but deeply and foundly know -whAt it is (hat is bejl for them, it would fet right their hearts and livrs, and make rhem happy. Bmnot knowing this, is it that keeperh them from God and Ho. linefs, and everlaHingly tmdoes them. Though I have often opened this- heretofore on other occafi– ons, yet my prefent fubjett now requireth , l. That I reil you, What that u that here u c.1l!ed [The Good part.]_ 2. what it i4 that ufet again.ftit, and by fie/hi] minds, preferred before it ? And having briefly opened thefe two things,I fhallcome to the Com-_ p11ri[o-n, and 01ewyoa which u the beiter part. I. That which Chrifi calls here [that gr;od part J is r. Prin· cipfll/y, theendof '11Mn, or our ever/afling Happimfs with God in Heaven. 2. Subordinittely, the Means by which i~ is attained. 3. That Hap;ine{s which is the end, comprehenderh in it thefe particulan, which if you diftinttly apprehend, you will much the better underfiand the nature and excellency ofir. I : The true Believer ha.th the [mall beginnings, and tllrnejlJ-; andforet~tftes of the Ever/Ajfing Bltf{ednefs in this Life, in his approachu to God, and living upon hirn by Faith and L~ve, and in his believing apprebenfions of the Favour of Cjod, the Grace of - - · -- - - Chrifl 1

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