A26921:649
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.
1. It is the very Health of the Souls: It is Salvation itself: it maketh Man in his measure like to God, and is his Image: It is a heavenly nature, and is the earnest and preparation for Heaven: It delivereth Man from the greatest evil on Earth, and giveth him the firmest peace and joy, in his peace with God, the pardon of his Sins, and the hope of everlasting Glory.
2. It's easy to discern how great a work this is, by the deep roots of all the contrary Vices, in the corrupted Nature of Man: Experience assureth us that Man by vitiated Nature is proud, and ignorant, and savoureth little but the things of the Flesh, and worldly Interest, and is a Slave to his Appetite and Lust: His bodily Prosperity is all that really hath his Heart: Yea if God restrain them not, all wicked men are bitter Enemies to all that are truly wise and holy, even among Heathens and Infidels, if any be but better than the rest, the wicked are their deadly Enemies. There is so visible an Enmity between Godliness and Wickedness, the Seed of Christ, and of the Serpent in the World as is a great confirmation of the Scripture which describeth it. And it is not the Name of Christians that altereth mens Nature. We here that have Peace from all the World, are under such implacable hatred of wicked men, that call themselves Christians, that so many Bears or Wolves would be less hurtful to us.
2. It's easy to discern how great a work this is, by the deep roots of all the contrary Vices, in the corrupted Nature of Man: Experience assureth us that Man by vitiated Nature is proud, and ignorant, and savoureth little but the things of the Flesh, and worldly Interest, and is a Slave to his Appetite and Lust: His bodily Prosperity is all that really hath his Heart: Yea if God restrain them not, all wicked men are bitter Enemies to all that are truly wise and holy, even among Heathens and Insidels, if any be but better than the rest, the wicked are their deadly Enemies. There is so visible an Enmity between Godliness and Wickedness, the Seed of Christ, and of the Serpent in the World as is a great confirmation of the Scripture which describeth it. And it is not the Name of Christians that altereth mens Nature. We here that have Peace from all the World, are under such implacable hatred of wicked men, that call themselves Christians, that so many Bears or Wolves would be less hurtful to us.