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

§ 15. I do confess that there is much weakness of the Belief of things unseen where yet there is sincerity: But surely there will be some proportion between our Belief and its Effects. And where there is little Regard, or Fear, or Hopes, or Sorrow, or Joy, or resolved Diligence for the World to come, I must think that there is, (in act at least) but little belief of it, and that such Persons little know themselves how much they secretly doubt whether it be true. I know that most complain almost altogether of the uncertainty of their Title to Salvation, ⟨p. 58⟩and little of their uncertainty of a Heaven and Hell: But were they more certain of this, and truly persuaded of it at the Heart, it would do more to bring them to that serious resolved faithfulness in Religion, which would help them more easily to be sure of their Sincerity, than long examinations, & many marks talked of, without this will do.

§ 16. And I confess that the great Wisdom of God hath not thought meet that in the Body we should have as clear, and sensible, and lively apprehensions of Heaven, and Hell, as sight would cause. For that would be to have too much of Heaven or Hell on Earth; for the gust would follow the perception, and so full a sense would be some sort of a possession, which we are not fit for in this World. And therefore it must be a darker Revelation than sight would be, that it may be a lower Perception, lest this World, and the next should be confounded; and Faith, and Reason should be put out of Office, and not duly tried, exercised, and fitted for reward. But yet Faith is Faith, and Knowledge is Knowledge; and he that verily believeth such great transcendent things, though he see them not, will have some proportionable affections and endeavours.

§ 16. And I confess that the great Wisdom of God hath not thought meet that in the Body we should have as clear, and sensible, and lively apprehensions of Heaven, and Hell, as sight would cause. For that would be to have too much of Heaven or Hell on Earth; for the gust would follow the perception, and so full a sense would be some sort of a possession, which we are not fit for in this World. And therefore it must be a darker Revelation than sight would be, that it may be a lower Perception, lest this World, and the next should be confounded; and Faith, and Reason should be put out of Office, and not duly tryed, exercised, and fitted for reward. But yet Faith is Faith, and Knowledg is Knowledg; and he that verily believeth such great transcendent things, though he see them not, will have some proportionable affections and endeavours.