A26921:38
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.
And yet if it had been more Strong and Healthful, Sense, and Appetite would have been strong; and Lust would have been strong; and therefore danger would have been greater, and Victory and Salvation much more difficult. Even weak Senses and Temptations have too oft prevailed: How knowest thou then what stronger might have done: When I see a thirsty Man in a Fever or Dropsy, and specially when I see strong and healthful youths, bred up in fullness, and among temptations, how mad they are in sin, and how violently they are carried to it, bearing down God's rebukes, and Conscience, and Parents, and Friends, and all regard to their Salvation, it tells me how great a Mercy I had, even in a Body not liable to their case.
And yet if it had been more Strong and Healthful, Sense, and Appetite would have been strong; and Lust would have been strong; and therefore danger would have been greater, and Victory and Salvation much more difficult. Even weak Senses and Temptations have too oft prevailed: How knowest thou then what stronger might have done: When I see a thirsty Man in a Feaver or Dropsie, and specially when I see strong and healthful youths, bred up in fulness, and among temptations, how mad they are in sin, and how violently they are carried to it, bearing down God's rebukes, and Conscience, and Parents, and Friends, and all regard to their Salvation, it tells me how great a Mercy I had, even in a Body not liable to their case.
And many a bodily deliverance, hath been of great use to my Soul, renewing my time and opportunity and strength for Service, and bringing frequent and fresh reports of the Love of God.
If bodily Mercies were not of great use to the Soul, Christ would not so much have showed his saving love, by healing all manner of diseases as he did. Nor would God promise us a Resurrection of the Body, if a congruous Body did not further the welfare of the Soul.