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

Be of good cheer then O my Soul; it is thy Fathers voice that calls thee hence: His voice that called thee into the World, and bid thee live, that called thee out of a state of sin and death, and bid thee live hereafter unto him: That called thee so oft from the Grave, and forgiving thy sins, renewed thy strength, restored thee to the comforts of his House and Service; and hath so graciously led thee through this howling Wilderness, and brought thee almost to the sight of the promised Land. And wilt thou not willingly go, when infinite fatherly Love doth call thee? Art thou not desirous of his presence? Art thou afraid to go to him who is the only cure of thy fears? What was it but this Glory to which he did (finally) Elect thee? Where dost thou read that he Elected thee to the Riches and Honours of this World: or to the pleasures of the Flesh? But he Elected us in Christ to the heavenly Inheritance, Eph. 1. 3, 4, &c. Indeed he Elected thee also to bear the Cross, and to manifold sufferings here: But is it that which thou preferrest before the Crown? That was but as a Means unto the Kingdom, that thou mightest be conformed to Christ, and reign with him when thou hast suffered with him. If God choose thee to blessedness, refuse it not thy self, nor behave thy self like a refuser.

§ 10. 2. And surely that state is my Best which my Saviour purchased and promised me as best: As he bought me not with Silver and Gold, so neither to Silver and Gold? Did he live and die to make me Rich or advanced in the World? Surely his Incarnation, Merits, Sacrifice and Intercession had a low design if that were all! And who hath more of these than they that have least of Christ: But he purchased us to an incorruptible Crown; to an Inheritance undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for us, that are kept by God's Power through Faith unto Salvation, 1 Pet. 1. And is it Heaven that cost so dear a price for me, and is the End of so wonderful a design of Grace, and shall I be unwilling now to receive the gift?

§ 10. 2. And surely that state is my Best which my Saviour purchased and promised me as best: As he bought me not with Silver and Gold, so neither to Silver and Gold? Did he live and die to make me Rich or advanced in the World? Surely his Incarnation, Merits, Sacrifice and Intercession had a low design if that were all! And who hath more of these than they that have least of Christ: But he purchased us to an incorruptible Crown; to an Inheritance undefiled, that fadeth notaway, reserved in Heaven for us, that are kept by God's Power through Faith unto Salvation,