A26921:109
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.
§ 35. […]. And I observe, that (as is aforesaid) all things have naturally a strong inclination to Union and Communion with their like: Every clod and stone inclineth to the Earth: Water would go to Water; Air to Air, Fire to Fire; Birds and Beasts associate with their like. And the noblest natures are most strongly thus inclined; And therefore I have natural reason to think that it will be so with holy Souls.
§ 35. 〈…〉. And I observe, that (as is aforesaid) all things have naturally a strong inclination to Union and Communion with their like: Every clod and stone inclineth to the Earth: Water would go to Water; Air to Air, Fire to Fire; Birds and Beasts associate with their like. And the noblest natures are most strongly thus inclined; And therefore I have natural reason to think that it will be so with holy Souls.
§ 36. 3. And I find that the inordinate Contraction of Man to himself, and to the interest of this Individual-Person, with the defect of Love to all about us, according to every creatures goodness, and specially to God the Infinite good, whom we should love above our selves, is the very sum of all the pravity of man. And all the injustice and injury to others, and all the neglect of good works in the world, and all our daily terrors, and self-distracting self-tormenting cares, and griefs, and fears, proceed from this inordinate Love and Adhesion to our selves: Therefore I have reason to think ⟨p. 25⟩that in our better state, we shall perfectly Love others as our selves, and the selfish Love will turn into a common and a Divine Love, which must be by our preferring the common and the Divine Good, and Interest.
§ 36. 3. And I find that the inordinate Contraction of Man to himself, and to the interest of this Individual-Person, with the defect of Love to all about us, according to every creatures goodness, and specially to God the Infinite good, whom we should love above our selves, is the very sum of all the pravity of man. And all the injustice and injury to others, and all the neglect of good works in the world, and all our daily terrours, and self-distracting self-tormenting cares, and griefs, and fears, proceed from this inordinate Love and Adhesion to our selves: Therefore I have reason to think