A26921:187
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.
§ 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.
§ 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 sensless.