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

II. The life to come dependeth upon this: As the life of Man in the World, upon his Generation in the Womb; Or as the reward upon the work; or the Runners or Soldiers Prize upon his Race or Fighting: Or as the Merchants gain upon his Voyage. Heaven is won or lost on Earth: The possession is there, but the preparation is here: Christ will judge all men according to their works on Earth: [Well done good and faithful Servant, must go before [Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord: I have fought a good Fight, I have finished my Course] goeth before the Crown of Righteousness which God the righteous Judge will give: All that ever must be done for Salvation by us, must here be done: It was on Earth that Christ himself, wrought the work of […] Redemption, fulfilled all Righteousness, became ⟨image 12⟩our Ransom: And paid the Price of our Salvation: And it's here that our part is to be done.

II. The life to come dependeth upon this: As the life of Man in the World, upon his Generation in the Womb; Or as the reward upon the work; or the Runners or Souldiers Prize upon his Race or Fighting: Or as the Merchants gain upon his Voyage. Heaven is won or lost on Earth: The possession is there, but the preparation is here: Christ will judge all men according to their works on Earth: [Well done good and faithful Servant, must go before [Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord: I have fought a good Fight, I have finished my Course] goeth before the Crown of Righteousness which God the righteous Judge will give: All that ever must be done for Salvation by us, must here be donc: It waron Earth that Christ himself, wrought the work of 〈…〉 Redemption, fulfilled all Righteousness, became ⟨image 12⟩our Ransom: And paid the Price of our Salvation: And it's here that our part is to be done.

And the bestowing of the reward of God's work, who we are sure will never fail: There is no place for the least suspicion or fear of his misdoing or failing in any of his undertaken work, But the danger and fear is of our own miscarrying; lest we be not found capable of receiving what God will certainly give to all that are disposed Receivers. To distrust God is heinous sin and folly: But to distrust our selves we have great cause. So that if we will make sure of Heaven, it must be by giving all diligence to make firm our Title, our Calling, and our Election here on Earth. If we fear Hell, we must fear being prepared for it.