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

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.

And it is great and difficult work that must be here done: It's here that we must be cured of all damning sin: That we must be Regenerate and new Born; that we must be pardoned and justified by Faith; It's here that we must be united to Christ, made wise to Salvation, renewed by his Spirit, and conformed to his likeness: It's here that we must overcome all the temptations of the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, and perform all the duties toward God and Man, that must be rewarded: It's here that Christ must be believed in with the Heart to Righteousness, and with the Mouth confessed to Salvation: It's here that we must suffer with him, that we may reign with him, and be faithful to the Death, that we may receive the Crown of Life. Here we must so run that we may obtain.

III. Yea, we have greater work here to do than mere securing our own Salvation. We are […] ⟨image 12⟩of the World and Church, and we must labour to do good to many: We are trusted with our Masters Talents for his Service; in our places to do our best to propagate his Truth, and Grace and Church; and to bring home Souls, and Honour his cause, and edify his Flock, and further the Salvation of as many as we can. All this is to be done on Earth, if we will secure the end of all in Heaven.