A26921:147
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.
§ 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.
§ 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 prosecure his Servants to the Death, and make duty costly, and give no after recompence. 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 fetcht from the intrinsecal good of Duty, I have elsewhere answered.
§ 1. VI. But God hath not left us to the Light of mere Nature, as being too dark for men so blind as we: The Gospel Revelation is the clear Foundation of our Faith and Hopes. Christ hath brought Life and Immortality to Light: One from Heaven that is greater ⟨p. 40⟩than an Angel was sent to tell us what is there, and which is the way, and to secure our hopes. He hath risen and conquered death, and entered before us as our Captain and Forerunner into the Everlasting habitations. And he hath all power in Heaven and Earth, and all Judgment is committed to him; that he might give Eternal life to his Elect: he hath frequently and expressly promised it them, that they shall live because he liveth,