A26921:146
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.
§ 2. And if God were not the Ruler of the World, by Laws and Judgment, the World would have no universal Laws; for there is no Man that is the universal Ruler: And then Kings, and other Supreme Powers, would be utterly Lawless and ungoverned, as having none above them to give them Laws, and so they would be capable of no sin or fault, and of no punishment; which yet neither their Subjects interest, nor their own Consciences will grant, or allow them throughly to believe,
§ 2. And if God were not the Ruler of the World, by Laws and Judgment, the World would have no universal Laws; for there is no Man that is the universal Ruler: And then Kings, and other Supream Powers, would be utterly Lawless and ungoverned, as having none above them to give them Laws, and so they would be capable of no sin or fault, and of no punishment; which yet neither their Subjects interest, nor their own Consciences will grant, or allow them throughly to believe,
§ 3. And if God be a Ruler, he is Just: or else he were not Perfect, nor so Good as he requireth Princes and Judges on Earth to be. An unjust Ruler or Judge is abominable to all Mankind. Righteousness is the great Attribute of the Universal King.
§ 4. But how were he a Righteous Ruler. 1. If he drew all men to obey him by deceit: 2. If he obliged them to seek and expect a felicity or reward which he will never give them. 3. If he make Man's duty his misery. 4. If he require him to labour in vain. 5. If he suffer the wicked to persecute his Servants to the Death, and make duty costly, and give no after recompense. 6. If he let the most wicked on the Earth pass unpunished, or to scape as well hereafter as the best, and to live in greater pleasure here. The Objections fetched from the intrinsical good of Duty, I have elsewhere answered.