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

Lord •une my Soul to thy Praises now, that sweet experience may make me long to be where I shall do it better! I see where any excellent Music is, Nature maketh men flock to it; and they that are but Hearers, yet join by a concurrent fantasy and delight: Surely if I had once heard the heavenly Chore, I should Echo to their holy Songs, though I could not imita• them; and I should think it the truest Blessedness to be there and bear my part. My God, the voice of thy comforting Spirit, speaking thy Love effectually to my Soul, would make such holy Music in me, that would incline me to the Celestial consort; and without it all these thoughts and words will be in vain. It is the inward Melody of thy Spirit and my Conscience that must tune me to desire the heavenly Melody. O speak thy love first to my Heart, and then I shall joyfully speak it to my Brethren, and shall ambitiously seek that communion of them, that praise thee better, than sinful groaning Mortals can: And though my sins here make a loathed jar and discord in my Songs, I hope my groans for these sins and their effects, will make no discord: Sighs and Tears have had the honour to be accepted by thee, who despisest not a contrite Soul: But if thy Spirit will sing and speak within me, and help me against the discordant murmurs of my unbelieving Heart, and pained Flesh, I shall offer thee that which is more suitable to thy Love and Grace. I confess Lord that daily Tears and Sighs are not unsuitable to the Eyes ⟨p. 198⟩and Voice of so great a Sinner, who is under thy correcting Ro•! What better could I expect when I grieved thy Spirit, than that it should prove my grief! Yea, this is far better than the genuine effects of sin. But this is not it that is mee•est to be offered to the God of Love: He that offereth Praise doth glorify thee! And is not this the Spiritual Sacrifice acceptable through Christ, for which we were made Priests to God, 1 Pet. 2. 5. I refuse not Lord to lie in Tears and Groans when thou requirest it; and do not thou refuse those Tears and Groans; but O give me better, that I may have better of thine own to offer thee: And by this prepare me for the far better, which I shall find with Christ: And that which is Best to us thy Creatures, will be accepted as Best by Thee, who art glorified and pleased in the Perfection of thy works.