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

§ 12. Why then should it seem a difficult Question, how I may willingly leave this World, and my Soul depart to Christ in Peace. The same Grace which regenerated me, must bring me to my desired end, as the same Principle of Vegetation which causeth the Bud must bring the Fruit to sweet maturity. 1. BELIEVE and TRUST thy Father, thy Saviour, and thy Comforter. II. And HOPE for the joyful entertainments of his Love, and for the blessed state which he hath promised. III. And long by LOVE for nearer ⟨p. 216⟩Union and Communion with him; and thus, O my Soul, thou mayest depart in Peace.

I. How sure is the Promise of God? How suitable to his Love, and to the Nature of our Souls, and to the operations of every Grace? It is initially performed here, whilst our desires are turned towards him, and the heavenly seed and spark is here ingenerated in a Soul that was dead and dark, and disaffected. Is it any strange thing for Fire to ascend? yea or the fiery Principle of Vegetation in a Tree, to carry up the earthy matter to a great procerity? Is it strange that Rivers should hasten to the Sea? Whither should Spirits go but to the Region, or World of Spirits? and whither should Christ's Members, and holy Spirits go, but to himself, and the heavenly Society? And is not that a more holy and glorious place and state, than this below? Earth is between Heaven and Hell; a place of gross and passive matter, where Spirits may indeed operate upon that which needeth them, and where they may be detained a while in such operation, or as incorporated Forms, if not incarcerate Delinquents; but it is not their centre, end, or home. Even sight and reason might persuade me, that all the noble Invisible powers that operate on this lower World, do principally belong unto a higher; and what can Earth add to their Essence, Dignity or Perfection?

I. How sure is the Promise of God? How suitable to his Love, and to the Nature of our Souls, and to the operations of every Grace? It is initially performed here, whilst our desires are turned towards him, and the heavenly seed and spark is here ingenerated in a Soul that was dead and dark, and disaffected. Is it any strange thing for Fire to ascend? yea or the fiery Principle of Vegetation in a Tree, to carry up the earthy matter to a great procerity? Is it strange that Rivers should hasten to the Sea? Whither should Spirits go but to the Region, or World of Spirits? and whither should Christ's Members, and holy Spirits go, but to himself, and the heavenly Society? And is not that a more holy and glorious place and state, than this below? Earth is between Heaven and Hell; a place of gross and passive matter, where Spirits may indeed operate upon that which needeth them, and where they may be detained a while in such operation, or as incorporated Forms, if not incarcerate Delinquents; but it is not their center, end, or home. Even sight and reason might persuade me, that all the noble Invisible powers that operate on this lower World, do principally belong unto a higher; and what can Earth add to their Essence, Dignity or Perfection?