A26921:1031
Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and…
Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and the latter times of his corporal pains and weakness.
London: printed by Tho. Snowden for B. Simmons, 1683
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.
III. This effusion of Divine Love would answer my doubts of the pardon of sin: I should not find it hard to believe that love itself, which hath given us a Saviour, ⟨p. 378⟩will forgive a Soul that truly repenteth, and hates his sin, and giveth up himself to Christ for Justification. It's hard to believe that a Tyrant will forgive, but not that a Father will pardon a returning prodigal Son.
IV. This effusion of Divine Love, will answer my fears which arise from mere weakness of Grace and Duty: Indeed it will give no other comfort to an unconverted Soul, but that he may be accepted if he come to God by Christ, with true Faith and Repentance, and that this is possible. But it should be easy to believe that a tender Father will not kill or cast out a Child for weakness, crying or uncleanness: Divine Love will accept and cherish, even weak Faith, weak Prayer, and weak obedience and patience which are sincere.
IV. This effusion of Divine Love, will answer my fears which arise from meer weakness of Grace and Duty: Indeed it will give no other comfort to an unconverted Soul, but that he may be accepted if he come to God by Christ, with true Faith and Repentance, and that this is possible. But it should be easie to believe that a tender Father will not kill or cast out a Child for weakness, crying or uncleanness: Divine Love will accept and cherish, even weak Faith, weak Prayer, and weak obedience and patience which are sincere.
V. This effused Love would confute temptations that are drawn from thy afflictions; and make thee believe that they are not so bad as flesh representeth them: It would understand that every Son that God loveth, he chasteneth, that he may not be condemned with the World, and that he may be partaker of his Holiness, and the end may be the quiet fruit of Righteousness; it would teach us to believe that God in very faithfulness doth afflict us; and that it is a good sign that the God of Love intendeth a better life for his beloved, when he trieth them with so many tribulations here: And though Lazarus be not saved for his suffering, it signified that God who loved him, had a life of comfort for him, when he had his evil things on Earth. When pangs are greatest, the Birth is nearest.