A26921:314
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.
§ 7. III. But lawful self-love is yet further herein gratified: The Goodness expressed in the Text, is that Analogical subordinate Good, which is mihi Bonum, my own Felicity, and that which tendeth thereunto: It is most Reasonable to Love God best, and that next which is likest him (if known:) And why should it not be the easiest and the sweetest: But experience findeth it so easy to Love our selves, that certainly if I firmly Believe that it is best for me, I shall Desire to depart and be with Christ. And have I not reason to believe it?
§ 7. III. But lawful self-love is yet further herein gratified: The Goodness expressed in the Text, is that Analogical subordinate Good, which is mihi Bonum, my own Felicity, and that which tendeth thereunto: It is most Reasonable to Love God best, and that next which is likest him (if known:) And why should it not be the easiest and the sweetest: But experience findeth it so easie to Love our selves, that certainly if I firmly Believe that it is best for me, I shall Desire to depart and be with Christ. And have I not reason to believe it?
§ 8. The Reasons of it I will consider in this order: I. The general Reason from the Efficients and the Means. II. The Final Reasons. III. The constitutive Reasons from the state of my Intellect; and its Action and Fruition there. IV. The constitutive Reasons from the state of my Will. V. The constitutive Reasons from my practice there, leaving out those which the Resurrection will give me, because I am speaking but of my present departure unto Christ.
§ 9. And 1. That is best for me, which Love itself, my heavenly Father designeth and chooseth for my good: I hope I shall never dare to think or say, that he is mistaken, or that he wanted Skill or Love: Or that I could have chosen better for my self than he doth, if he had left all to my choice. Many a time the wise and good-will of God, hath crossed my foolish rebellious will on Earth: And afterward I have still perceived that it was best; usually for my self, but always for a higher good than mine. It is not an Enemy, nor a Tyrant that made me, that hath preserved me, and that calls me hence. He hath not used me as an Enemy: The more I have tried him, the better I have found him: Had I better obeyed his Ruling will, how happy had I been: And is not his disposing and rewarding will