A26921:44
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.
Sure the three first and great Petitions of the Lord's Prayer include some temporal welfare of the World and Church, without which the Spiritual rarely prospereth extensively (though intensively in a few it may) since Miracles ceased.
4. Be thankful therefore for all the Churches Mercies here on Earth: For all the protection of Magistracy, the Plenty of Preachers, the preservation from Enemies, the restraint of Persecution, the Concord of Christians, and increase of Godliness, which in this Land it hath had in our Ages, notwithstanding all Satan's malignant rage, and all the bloody Wars that have interrupted our tranquillity. How many Psalms of joyful thanksgiving be there for Israel's deliverances, and the preservation of Zion, and God's Worship in his Sanctuary: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love it: specially that the Gospel is continued, while so many rage against it, is a Mercy not to be made light of.
4. Be thankful therefore for all the Churches Mercies here on Earth: For all the protection of Magistracy, the Plenty of Preachers, the perservation from Enemies, the restraint of Persecution, the Concord of Christians, and increase of Godliness, which in this Land it hath had in our Ages, notwithstanding all Satan's malignant rage, and all the bloody Wars that have interrupted our tranquillity. How many Psalms of joyful thanksgiving be there for Israel's deliverances, and the perservation of Zion, and God's Worship in his Sanctuary: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love it: specially that the Gospel is continued, while so many rage against it, is a Mercy not to be made light of.
Use IV. Be specially thankful, O my Soul, that God hath made any use of thee for the Service of his Church on Earth. My God, my Soul for this doth magnify thee, and my Spirit rejoiceth in the review of thy great undeserved Mercy! O what am I whom thou tookest up from the Dunghill, or low obscurity, that I should live my self in the constant relish of thy Sweet and Sacred Truth, and with such encouraging success communicate it to others? That I must say now my public work seems ended, that these Forty three or Forty four years I have no reason to think that ever I laboured in vain! O with what gratitude