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

Thou canst truly say, To live to me is Christ: It is his work for which thou livest: Thou hast no other business in the World: But thou dost his work with the mixture of many oversights and imperfections, and too much troublest thy Thoughts distrustfully about God's part, who never faileth: If thy work be done, be thankful for what is past, and that thou art come so near the Port of rest: If God will add any more to thy days, serve him with double alacrity, now thou art so near the end: The Prize is almost within sight: Time is swift and short: Thou hast told others that there is no working in the Grave, and that it must be now or never: Though the conceit of meriting of commutative ⟨image 16⟩Justice, be no better than madness, dream not that God will save the wicked, no nor equally reward the slothful and the diligent, because Christ's Righteousness was perfect. Paternal Justice maketh difference according to that worthiness which is so denominated by the Law of Grace: And as sin is its own punishment; Holiness and Obedience is much of its own reward: Whatever God appointeth thee to do, see that thou do it sincerely, and with all thy might: If sin dispose men to be angry because it is detected, disgraced and resisted, if God be pleased, their wrath should be patiently born, who will shortly be far more angry with themselves. If slander and obloquy survive, so will the better effects on those that are converted: And there is no comparison between these. I shall not be hurt when I am with Christ, by the Calumnies of men on Earth: But the saving benefit will by converted Sinners be enjoyed everlastingly. Words and actions are transient things, and being once past are nothing: But the effect of them on an immortal Soul, may be endless. All the Sermons that I have preached are nothing now: But the Grace of God on Sanctified Souls is the beginning of Eternal life. It is unspeakable Mercy to be sincerely thus employed with success; therefore I had reason all this while to be in Pauls strait, and make no hast in my desires to depart. The Crown will come in its due time: And Eternity is long enough to enjoy it, how long soever it be delayed: But if I will do that which must obtain it for my self and others, it must be quickly done before my declining sun be set.

Thou canst truly say, To live to me is Christ: It is his work for which thou livest: Thou hast no other business in the World: But thou dost his work with the mixture of many oversights and imperfections, and too much troublest thy Thoughts distrustfully about God's part, who never faileth: If thy work be done, be thankful for what is past, and that thou art come so near the Port of rest: If God will add any more to thy daies, serve him with double alacrity, now thou art so near the end: The Prize is almost within sight: Time is swift and short: Thou hast told others that there is no working in the Grave, and that it must be now or never: Though the conceit of meriting of commutative