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

I confess that I have wronged LOVE by sin; by many and great unexcusable sins! But all save Christ himself were sinners, which love did purify and receive to Glory! God who is rich in Mercy for the great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ (by Grace we are saved) and hath raised us up together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph. 2. 4, 5, 6. O that I could love much that have so much forgiven! The glorified praised him who loved us, and washed us from our sins, in his own Blood, and made us Kings and Priests to God, Rev. 1. 5, 6. Our Father that hath loved us, giveth us consolation and good hope through Grace, 2 Thess. 2. 16. I know no sin which I repent not of with self-loathing! And I earnestly beg and labour that none of my sins may be to me unknown. I dare not justify even what is any way uncertain; though I dare not call all that my sin which siding men of differing judgments on each side passionately call so: While both sides do it on contrary accounts, and not to go contrary ways is a Crime. O that God would bless my accusations to my illumination, that I may not be unknown to my self! Though some think me much better than I am, and others much worse, it ⟨p. 257⟩most concerneth me to know the Truth my self, flattery would be more dangerous to me, than false accusations, I may safelier be ignorant of other mens sins than of my own. Who can understand his errors: Cleanse me Lord from secret sins (and let not ignorance or error keep me in impenitence;) and keep thou me back from presumptuous sins, Psal. 19. 12, 13. I have an Advocate with the Father, and thy Promise, that he that confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have Mercy. Those are by some men taken for my greatest sins, which my most serious Thoughts did judge to be the greatest of my outward duties, and which I performed through the greatest difficulties, and which cost me dearest to the Flesh, and the greatest self-denial and patience in my reluctant Mind: Where-ever I have erred, Lord, make it known to me, that my confession may prevent the sin of others; and where I have not erred, confirm and accept me in the right.