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

§ 5. III. Yea my will it self shall be my Fruition: For it shall not be the will of one in need; a desire of what I want; for I shall want nothing: Therefore it is said that we shall Thirst no more: But it will be a Complacency in what I do possess: And in this also my perfection will be the Image of God's perfection: Not but that all Creatures still Receive from God, and in that sense may be said to need, in that they have nothing of themselves, but all by gift and communication from him: But being still and full possessors they cannot properly be said to want▪ Complacency in that which we possess is Love and Pleasure in one act: And indeed Pleasure and Love are the same thing: To Love any thing is to have that thing to be Pleasing to my mind. Even when it is wanted, it is thought on a pleasing thing, and therefore desired; so that the desiring act of the Will is but a second act occasioned by want, and following the first act, which is Complacency or simple Love. I desire it because I love it. Rightly therefore is the Will itself called LOVE; for in the first act, Love, Will, and Rational Appetite are all words of the same signification. My will therefore must needs be perpetually full of perfect JOY, when enjoying Love and Pleasure ⟨p. 168⟩will be my will itself: Thus shall I have in me the Spring of Living Waters; and the Comforter will then perfectly do his work; when my constant will itself shall be Comfort: well therefore is Glory said to be the perfection of sanctifying Grace: when this Grace is the beginning of that Love and Joy which Glory is the Perfection of: And Perfection is the Spirits work.

§ 5. III. Yea my will it self shall be my Fruition: For it shall not be the will of one in need; a desire of what I want; for I shall want nothing: Therefore it is said that we shall Thirst no more: But it will be a Complacency in what I do possess: And in this also my perfection will be the Image of God's perfection: Not but that all Creatures still Receive from God, and in that sense may be said to need, in that they have nothing of themselves, but all by gift and communication from him: But being still and full possessours they cannot properly be said to want▪ Complacency in that which we possess is Love and Pleasure in one act: And indeed Pleasure and Love are the same thing: To Love any thing is to have that thing to be Pleasing to my mind. Even when it is wanted, it is thought on a pleasing thing, and therefore desired; so that the desiring act of the Will is but a second act occasioned by want, and following the first act, which is Complacency or simple Love. I desire it because I love it. Rightly therefore is the Will itself called LOVE; for in the first act, Love, Will, and Rational Appetite are all words of the same signification. My will therefore must needs be perpetually full of perfect JOY, when enjoying Love and Pleasure