A26919:753
The divine life in three treatises
The divine life in three treatises ... by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Francis Tyton, 1664
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Object. But (some will say) it is not the falseness of my friend that I lament, but the separation, or the loss of one that was most faithful: I have found the deceitfulness of ordinary friends; and therefore the more highly prize those few that are sincere. I had but one true friend among abundance of self-seekers; and that one is dead, or taken from me, and I am left as in a wilderness, having no mortal man▪ that I can trust or take much comfort in.
Answ. Is this your case? I pray you answer these few Questions, and suffer the truth to have its proper work upon your mind.
Quest. 1. Who was it that deprived you of your friend? was it not God? Did not he that gave him you take him from you? Was it not his Lord and owner that called him home? And can God do any thing injuriously or amiss? will you not give him leave to do as he list with his own? Dare you think that there was wanting either wisdom or goodness, justice or mercy in Gods disposal of your friend? Or will you ever have Rest, if you cannot have Rest in the will of God?
Quest. 1. Who was it that deprived you of your friend? was it not God? Did not he that gave him you take him from you? Was it not his Lord and owner that call'd him home? And can God do any thing injuriously or amiss? will you not give him leave to do as he list with his own? Dare you think that there was wanting either wisdom or goodness, justice or mercy in Gods disposal of your friend? Or will you ever have Rest, if you cannot have Rest in the will of God?