A26921:328
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.
Richard Baxter's Dying Thoughts. › Part 2: II. The Final Reasons.
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.
§ 1. II 1. Is it not far better to dwell with GOD in Glory, than with sinful men in such a World as this? Though he be every where his Glory, which we must behold to our Felicity, and the perfecting Operations and Communications of his Love, are in the glorious World, and not on Earth. As the Eye is made to see the Light, and then to see other things by the Light, so is mans mind made to see God, and to Love him; and other things as in, by, and for him. He that is our beginning is our end: And our End is the first Motive of all Moral action, and for It, it is that all means are used. And the End attained is the Rest of Souls! How oft hath my Soul groaned under the sense of Distance, and Darkness, and Estrangeness from God! How oft hath it looked up, and gasped after him, and said, O when shall I be nearer and better acquainted with my God? As the Heart panteth after the water Brooks, so panteth my Soul after thee O God: My Soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God? Psa. 40. 12. And would I not have my Prayers heard, and my desires granted? What else is the sum of ⟨p. 131⟩lawful Prayers, but God himself? If I desire any thing more than God, what sinfulness is in those desires, and how sad is their signification? How oft have I said, Whom have I in Heaven but Thee, and there is none on Earth I desire besides Thee? It is good for me to draw near to God, Psal. 73. 25: 28. Woe to me, if I did dissemble: If not, Why should my Soul draw back? Is it because that Death stands in the way? Do not my fellow Creatures die for my daily Food? And is not my passage secured by the Love of my Father, and the Resurrection and Intercession of my Lord? Can I see the Light of heavenly Glory, in this darksome shell and womb of Flesh?
§ 1. II 1. Is it not far better to dwell with GOD in Glory, than with sinful men in such a World as this? Though he be every where his Glory, which we must behold to our Felicity, and the perfecting Operations and Communications of his Love, are in the glorious World, and not on Earth. As the Eye is made to see the Light, and then to see other things by the Light, so is mans mind made to see God, and to Love him; and other things as in, by, and for him. He that is our beginning is our end: And our End is the first Motive of all Moralaction, and for It, it is that all means are used. And the End attained is the Rest of Souls! How oft hath my Soul groaned under the sense of Distance, and Darkness, and Estrangeness from God! How oft hath it looked up, and gasped after him, and said, O when shall I be nearer and better acquianted with my God? As the Heart panteth after the water Brooks, so panteth my Soul after thee O God: My Soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?