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

Use. I. It is then an error (though it is but few I think that are guilty of it) to think that all Religion lieth in minding only the Life to come, and disregarding all things in this present life: All true Christians must seriously mind, both the End, and the Means, or way: If they mind not believingly the End, they will never be faithful in the use of means: If they mind not and use not diligently the Means, they will never obtain the End. None can use Earth well that prefer not Heaven: And none come to Heaven (at Age) that are not prepared by well using Earth. Heaven must have the deepest esteem and habituated love, and desire, and joy: But Earth must have more of our daily thoughts for present practice. A Man that travelleth to the most desirable home, hath a habit of desire to it all the way: But his present business is his travel: And Horse and Company, and Inns, and Ways, and Weariness, &c. may take up more of his sensible Thoughts, and of his Talk, and Action, than his Home.

Use. I. It is then an errour (though it is but few I think that are guilty of it) to think that all Religion lieth in minding only the Life to come, and disregarding all things in this present life: All true Christians must seriously mind, both the End, and the Means, or way: If they mind not believingly the End, they will never be faithful in the use of means: If they mind not and use not diligently the Means, they will never obtain the End. None can use Earth well that prefer not Heaven: And none come to Heaven (at Age) that are not prepared by well using Earth. Heaven must have the deepest esteem and habituated love, and desire, and joy: But Earth must have more of our daily thoughts for present practice. A Man that travelleth to the most desirable home, hath a habit of desire to it all the way: But his present business is his travel: And Horse and Company, and Inns, and Waies, and Weariness, &c. may take up more of his sensible Thoughts, and of his Talk, and Action, than his Home.

Use. II. I have oft marvelled to find David in the Psalms, and other Saints before Christ's coming, to ⟨image 13⟩have expressed so great a sense of the things of this present life, and to have said so little of another. To have made so great a matter of Prosperity, Dominions, and Victories on one Hand, and of Enemies, Success, and Persecution on the other, But I consider that it was not for mere Personal, Carnal interest, but for the Church of God, and for his Honour, Word, and Worship: And they knew that if things go well with us on Earth, they will be sure to go well in Heaven: If the militant Church prosper in Holiness, there is no doubt but it will triumph in Glory: God will be sure to do his part in receiving Souls, if they be here prepared for his receipt. And Satan doth much of his damning work by men: If we escape their temptations we escape much of our danger. If Idolaters prospered, Israel was tempted to Idolatry: The Greek Church is almost swallowed up by Turkish Prosperity and Dominion. Most follow the powerful and Prosperous side. And therefore for God's cause, and for heavenly everlasting interest, our own state, but much more the Churches must be greatly regarded here on Earth.