Transcriber's Note:
Apparent typographical errors have been corrected. The use of hyphenshas been rationalised.
The references to the Gospel of John, in footnote 200, are unclear.
OR,
A TREATISE OF THE BLESSED STATE OF THE SAINTS
IN THEIR ENJOYMENT OF
GOD IN HEAVEN.
Written by the reverend, learned, and pious
MR. RICHARD BAXTER.
Abridged
BY BENJAMIN FAWCETT. M. A.
I think it of great service to the souls of men, to call them to thenotice and use of such a Treatise as this; and to bring such old andexcellent writings out of oblivion and the dust.
Baxter's Preface to Scudder's Christian's Daily Walk.
PUBLISHED BY SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG,
Charlestown, Mass.
1811.
TO THE
INHABITANTS
OF THE
BOROUGH AND FOREIGN OF KIDDERMINSTER.
BOTH MAGISTRATES AND PEOPLE.
My dear Friends,
Thereare obvious reasons for prefixingyour names to this Book. It contains thesubstance of what was first preached in your parish-church,and was first published from the presswith a dedication to your worthy ancestors. Yourtrade and manufactures can never render yourtown so famous, as the name and writings of Mr.Baxter have already made it, both in this island,and in many remote parts of the Protestant world.His intimate and important relation to Kidderminster,and the years he abode in it, afforded him themost delightful reflection as long as he lived.
Long experience has enabled me to testify foryou, that, notwithstanding your share in thosecommon distinctions, which so unhappily dividefellow-protestants, you possess a most unusualdegree of candor and friendship for each other.Thus you shew, that Kidderminster has not totallylost the amiable spirit which it imbibedmore than a century ago.
There are no excellencies personal or relative,no species of domestic or public happiness, nobeauties of civil or religious life, but what will benaturally promoted by a care to secure to ourselvesan interest in the rest which remaineth to thepeople of God. They are the people for whomalone that rest is designed, both by the promisesof God, and by the purchase of the Son of God.A care to secure that rest to ourselves, is the onething needful. But neither this people, nor thiscare, you well know, are the peculiarities of anyage, or of any party. If the inhabitants of Kidderminsterformerly excelled in this care, youmust allow, that it was their greatest glory. Andthis, more than any improvements of trade, or increasingelegancies of life, will be the greatestglory of their successors.
To excite this care, is the noblest design of allreligious instruction. This, and nothing else, animatesthe following pages. Here, God and Christ,heaven and holiness, invite your most attentiveand affectionate regards. Here, you may peruse,what multitudes in the same town have heard andread before you to their everlasting joy, till yourblessings prevail above the blessings of your progenitors.Here, by the help of Divine grace, youmay learn the heavenly art of walking with Godbelow, of living in a constant view and foretasteof the glories of the New Jerusalem, and of makingall you say or do, suffer or enjoy, subservientto the brightening your immortal crown.Nothing has the compiler of this abridgment towish like such consequences as these; even, tos