A26919:763
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.
6. Do you think it is for the Hurt or the Good of your friend, that he is removed hence? It cannot be for his Hurt unless he be in Hell. (At least, it is uncertain whether to live would have been for his Good, by an increase of Grace, and so for greater Glory.) And if he be in Hell, he was no fit person for you to take much pleasure in upon earth: He might be indeed a fit object for your compassion, but not for your complacency. Sure you are not undone for want of such company as God will not endure in his sight, and you must be separated from for ever. But if they be in Heaven, you are scarce their friends if you would wish them thence. Friendship hath as great respect to the good of our friends as of our selves. And do you pretend to friendship, and yet lament the removal of your friend to his greatest happiness! Do you set more by your own enjoying his company, then by his enjoying God in perfect blessedness! This showeth a very culpable defect either in Faith or Friendship; and therefore beseemeth not Christians and friends. If Love teacheth us to mourn with them that mourn, and to rejoice with them that rejoice; can it be an act of rational Love to mourn for them that are possessed of the highest everlasting joys?
6. Do you think it is for the Hurt or the Good of your friend, that he is removed hence? It cannot be for his Hurt unless he be in Hell. (At least, it is uncertain whether to live would have been for his Good, by an increase of Grace, and so for greater Glory.) And if he be in Hell, he was no fit person for you to take much pleasure in upon earth: He might be indeed a fit object for your compassion, but not for your complacency. Sure you are not undone for want of such company as God will not endure in his sight, and you must be separated from for ever. But if they be in Heaven, you are scarce their friends if you would wish them thence. Friendship hath as great respect to the good of our friends as of our selves. And do you pretend to friendship, and yet lament the removal of your friend to his greatest happiness! Do you set more by your own enjoying his company, then by his enjoying God in perfect blessedness! This sheweth a very culpable defect either in Faith or Friendship; and therefore beseemeth not Christians and friends. If Love teacheth us to mourn with them that mourn, and to rejoyce with them that rejoyce; can it be an act of rational Love to mourn for them that are possessed of the highest everlasting joyes?