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

yet his love to such as in Nature and Grace are made capable of it, doth warrant and oblige them to believe and hope for the full Perfection of the work of love. Some comfort themselves in the love of St. Peter, as having the Keys of Heaven: And how many ⟨p. 255⟩could I name that are now with Christ, who loved me so faithfully on Earth, that were I sure they had the Keys and Power of Heaven (and were not changed in their Love) I could put my departing Soul into their Hands, and die with joy. And is it not better in the Hand of my Redeemer, and of the God of Love, and Father of Spirits? Is any love comparable to his? Or any Friend so boldly to be trusted? I should take it for ungrateful unkindness in my Friend, to doubt of my love and trustiness, if I had given him all that he hath, and maintained him constantly by my kindness! But O how odious a thing is sin! Which by destroying our love to God, doth make us unmeet to believe and sweetly perceive his Love? And by making us doubt of the Love of God, and lose the pleasant relish of it, doth more increase our difficulty of loving him! The Title that the Angel gave to Daniel [A Man greatly beloved of God,] methinks should be enough to make one joyfully love and trust God, both in life and death. Will Almighty LOVE ever hurt me or forsake me? And have not all Saints that Title in their degrees? What else signifieth their Mark and Name, HOLINESS TO THE LORD? What is it but our separation to God as his peculiar beloved People? And how are they separated but by mutual love, and our forsaking all that alienateth or is contrary? Let Scorners deride us as self flatterers that believe they are God's Darlings (and woe to the Hypocrites that believe it on their false Presumption;) without such belief or grounded hopes I see not how any Man can die in true Peace. He that is no otherwise beloved than Hypocrites, and Unbelievers, must have his portion with them: And he that is no otherwise beloved than as the ungodly, unholy and unregenerate, shall not stand ⟨p. 256⟩in judgment, nor see God, nor enter into his Kingdom. Most upright Souls are to blame for groundless doubting of God's Love; but not for acknowledging it, rejoicing in it, and in their doubts being most solicitous to make it sure: Love brought me into the World, and furnished me with a Thousand Mercies! Love hath provided for me, delivered me, and preserved me till now!