A26921:270
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.
Christ loved his Disciples, his Kindred; yea, and all Mankind, and took pleasure in doing good to all; and so did his Apostles: But how poor a requital had he or they from any but from God? Christ's own Brethren believed not in him, but wrangled with him; almost like those that said to him on the Cross, If thou be the Son of God, come down and we will believe. Peter himself was once a Satan to him, Matth. 16. and after with Cursing and Swearing denied him: And all his Disciples forsook him and fled: And what then from others could be expected?
No Friends have a perfect suitableness to each other: and roughness and inequalities that are nearest us are most troublesome. The wonderful variety and contrariety of apprehensions, interest, educations, temperaments, and occasions, and temptations, &c. are such that whilst we are scandalized at the discord & confusions of the World, we must recall our selves and admire that all ruling Providence, which keepeth up so much order and concord as there is: We are indeed like People in crowded Streets, who going several ways molest each other with their jostling oppositions: Or like Boys at Foot-ball striving to overthrow each other for the Ball: But it is a wonder of Divine Power and Wisdom that all the World is not continually in mortal War.
No Friends have a perfect suitableness to each other: and roughness and inequalities that are nearest us are most troublesom. The wonderful variety and contrariety of apprehensions, interest, educations, temperaments, and occasions, and temptations, &c. are such that whilest we are scandalized at the discord & confusions of the World, we must recal our selves and admire that all ruling Providence, which keepeth up so much order and concord as there is: We are indeed like People in crowded Streets, who going several ways molest each other with their jostling oppositions: Or like Boys at Foot-ball striving to overthrow each other for the Ball: But it is a wonder of Divine Power and Wisdom that all the World is not continually in mortal War.