Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and…

§ 13. I think it not needless labour to confirm my Soul in the full persuasion of the truth of its own Immortal Nature, and of a future Life of Joy or Misery to Mankind, and of the certain Truth of the Christian Faith: The Being of God, and his Perfection hath so great Evidence that I find no great Temptation to doubt of it, any more than whether there be an Earth or a Sun; and the Atheist seemeth to me to be in that no better than Mad; the Christian Verity is known only by Supernatural Revelation; but by such Revelation it is so attested externally to the World, and internally to Holy Souls, as maketh Faith the Ruling, victorious, consolatory Principle, by which we must live, and not by sight: But the Souls Immortality and Reward hereafter is of a middle Nature; viz. Of Natural Revelation, but incomparably less clear than the Being of a God; and therefore by the addition of Evangelical (Supernatural) Revelation, is made to us much more clear and sure. And I find among the Infidels of this Age, that most who deny the Christian Verity, do almost as much deny or question the Retribution of a future Life: And they that are fully satisfied of this, do find Christianity so excellently Congruous to it, as greatly facilitateth the work of Faith. Therefore I think that there is scarce any verity more needful to be throughly digested into a full assurance, than this of the Souls Immortality and hope of future happiness.

§ 14. And when I consider the great unlikeness of mens Hearts and Lives to such a Belief as we all profess, I cannot but fear that not only the ungodly, but most that truly hope for Glory have a far weaker belief (in habit and act) of the Souls Immortality and the Truth of the Gospel, than they seem to take notice of in themselves. Can I be certain or fully persuaded (in habit ⟨p. 57⟩and act) of the future Rewards, and Punishments of Souls, and that we shall be all shortly judged as we have lived here, and yet not despise all the Vanities of this World, and set my heart with resolution and diligence to the preparation which must be made by a holy, heavenly, fruitful Life, as one whose Soul is taken up with the hopes and fears of things of such unspeakable importance. Who could stand dallying as most men do, at the Door of Eternity, that did verily believe his Immortal Soul must be shortly there? Though such a one had no certainty of his own particular Title to Salvation, the certainty of such a grand concernment (that Joy or misery is at hand) would surely awaken him to try, to cry, to search; to beg, to strive, to watch, to spare no care, or cost, or labour to make all sure, in a matter of such weight: It could not be but he would do it with speed, and do it with a full resolved Soul, and do it with earnest zeal and diligence. What Man that once saw the things which we hear of, even Heaven and Hell, would not afterwards (at least in deep regard and seriousness) exceed the most resolved Believer that you know: One would think in Reason it should be so thought: I confess a wicked Heart is very senseless.