A26921:51
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.
Use VI. And as it is on Earth that I must do good to others, so it must be in a manner suited to their state on Earth. Souls are here closely united to Bodies, by which they must receive much good or hurt: Do good to mens Bodies if thou wouldst do good to their Souls: Say not, Things corporeal are worthless Trifles, for which the receivers will be never the better: They are things that nature is easily sensible of: And sense is the passage to the mind and will. Dost not thou find what a help it is to thy self, to have at any time, any ease and al• crity of Body: And what a burden and hinderance, pains, and cares are? Labour then to free others from such burdens and temptations, and be not regardless of them. If thou must rejoice, with them that rejoice, and mourn with them that mourn, further thy own joy in furthering theirs; and avoid thy own sorrows in avoiding or curing theirs.
But, alas, what power hath selfishness in most? How easily do we bear our Brethren's pains, reproaches, wants and afflictions, in comparison of our own: How few thoughts, and how little cost or labour do we use for their supply, in comparison of what we do for our selves. Nature indeed teacheth us to be most sensible of our own case: But Grace tells us that we should not make so great a difference as we do, but should love our Neighbours as our selves.
But, alas, what power hath selfishness in most? How easily do we bear our Brethrens pains, reproaches, wants and afflictions, in comparison of our own: How few thoughts, and how little cost or labour do we use for their supply, in comparison of what we do for our selves. Nature indeed teacheth us to be most sensible of our own case: But Grace tells us that we should not make so great a difference as we do, but should love our Neighbours as our selves.
Use VII. And now, O my Soul, consider how mercifully God hath dealt with thee, that thy strait should be between two conditions so desirable? I shall either die speedily, or stay yet longer upon Earth: Which ever it be, it will be