A26921:164
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.
And what were all these Answers and Mercies but the fruits of Christ's Power, Fidelity, and Love, the fulfilling of his Promises, and the earnest of the greater blessings of Immortality, which the same Promises give me Title to.
I know that no Promise of hearing Prayer, setteth up our wills in absoluteness, or above God's, as if every will of our; must be fulfilled if we do but put it into a fervent or confident Prayer: But if we ask any thing through Christ, according to his will, expressed in his Promise, he will hear us. If a sinful love of this present life, or of Ease, or Wealth, or Honour should cause me to pray to God against Death, or against all sickness, want, reproach or other Trials, as if I must live here in Prosperity for ever if I ask it, this sinful desire and expectation is not the work of Faith, but of Presumption: What if God will not abate me my last (or daily) pains? What if he will continue my life no longer, who ever pray for it, and how earnestly soever? Shall I •••refore forget how oft he hath heard Prayers for me! […] how wonderfully he hath helped both me and others? ⟨p. 44⟩My Faith hath oft been helped by such experiences, and shall I forget them? or question them without cause at last?
I know that no Promise of hearing Prayer, setteth up our wills in absoluteness, or above God's, as if every will of our; must be fulfilled if we do but put it into a fervent or confident Prayer: But if we ask any thing through Christ, according to his will, expressed in his Promise, he will hear us. If a sinful love of this present life, or of Ease, or Wealth, or Honour should cause me to pray to God against Death, or against all sickness, want, reproach or other Trials, as if I must live here in Prosperity for ever if I ask it, this sinful desire and expectation is not the work of Faith, but of Presumption: What if God will not abate me my last (or daily) pains? What if he will continue my life no longer, who ever pray for it, and how earnestly soever? Shall I •••refore forget how oft he hath heard Prayers for me! how wonderfully he hath helped both me and others?