A26921:234
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.
§ 2. I. And, 1. I know that I must Depart from this Body itself, and the Life which consisteth in the animating of it. These Eyes must here see no more; this Hand must move no more; these Feet must go no more; this Tongue must speak no more, As much as I have loved and overloved this Body, I must leave it to the Grave. There must it lie and rot in darkness, as a neglected and a loathed thing.
§ 3. This is the Fruit of Sin, and Nature would not have it so: I mean the Nature of this compound MAN: But what though it be so? 1. It is but my Shell or Tabernacle, & the clothing of my Soul, and not it self. 2. It is but an elementary Composition dissolved; and Earth going to Earth, and Water to Water, and Air to Air, and Fire to Fire, into that Union which the elementary Nature doth incline to.
§ 3. This is the Fruit of Sin, and Nature would not have it so: I mean the Nature of this compound MAN: But what though it be so? 1. It is but my Shell or Tabernacle, & the cloathing of my Soul, and not it self. 2. It is but an elementary Composition dissolved; and Earth going to Earth, and Water to Water, and Air to Air, and Fire to Fire, into that Union which the elementary Nature doth incline to.
3. It is but an Instrument laid by when all its work is done, and a Servant dismissed when his Service is at an end. And what should I do with a Horse when I shall need to ride or travel no more, or with a Pen when I must write no more? It is but the laying by the Passive receiver of my Souls Operations, when the Soul hath no more to do upon it: As I cast by my Lute or other instrument when I have better employment than Music to take up my time!
3. It is but an Instrument laid by when all its work is done, and a Servant dismissed when his Service is at an end. And what should I do with a Horse when I shall need to ride or travel no more, or with a Pen when I must write no more? It is but the laying by the Passive receiver of my Souls Operations, when the Soul hath no more to do upon it: As I cast by my Lute or other instrument when I have better employment than Musick to take up my time!