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

And seeing an unworthy Worm hath had so many Testimonies of thy tender love, let me not be like them, Mal. 1. 1, 2. that when thou saidst, I have loved you, unthankfully asked, Wherein hast thou loved us, Heaven is not more spangled with Stars, than thy Word and Works with the refulgent Signatures of Love. Thy well beloved Son, the Son of thy Love, undertaking the Office, Message and Work of the greatest Love, was full of that Spirit which is Love, which he sheds abroad in the Hearts of thine Elect, that the Love of the Father, the Grace of the Son, and the communion of the Spirit may be their hope and life. His Works, his Sufferings, his Gifts, as well as his comfortable Word, did say to his Disciples, Joh. 15. 9. As the Father loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. And how, Lord, shall we continue ⟨p. 258⟩in it, but by the thankful belief of thy love and loveliness, desiring still to love thee more, and in all things to know and please thy Will! Which thou knowest is my Souls desire!

Behold then, O my Soul, with what Love the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have loved thee, that thou should be made and called a Son of God, redeemed; regenerate, adopted into that Covenant-state of Grace in which thou standest: Rejoice therefore in hope of the G•ory of God, Rom. 5. 1, 2. being justified by Faith, having Peace with God, and access by Faith and Hope that maketh not ashamed; that being reconciled, when an Enemy, by the Death of Christ, I shall be saved by his life. Having loved his own, to the end he loveth them, and without end: His Gifts and Calling are without Repentance: When Satan, and thy Flesh would hide God's love, look to Christ, and read the golden words of Love in the Sacred Gospel; and peruse thy many recorded experiences, and remember the convictions which secret and open Mercies have many a time afforded thee! But especially draw nearer to the Lord of Love, and be not seldom and slight in thy contemplations of his Love and Loveliness; Dwell in the Sun-shine, and thou wlt know that it is light, and warm, and comfortable. Distance and strangeness cherish thy doubts: Acquaint thy self with him, and be at peace.