A26921:67
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.
For, 1. If we make such an ill description of God, as that he will turn our pleasing him to our loss, or will not turn it to our gain, and welfare, or that we know not whether he will do so or not, it will hinder our Love, and Trust, and Joy in him, by which we must please him, and consequently hinder the alacrity, and soundness, and constancy of our obedience.
2. And it will much dismiss that self-love which must excite us, and it will take off part of our necessary End: And I think the Objecters will confess, that if they have no certainty what God will do with them, they must have some Probability and Hope, before they can be sincerely devoted here to please him.
§ 6. And 1. If a man be but uncertain what he ⟨p. 4⟩should make the End of his Life, or what he should live for, how can he pitch upon an uncertain End? And if he waver so as to have no End, he can use no Means: And if End and Means be all laid by, the Man liveth not as a Man, but as a Brute. And what a torment must it be to a considering mind, to be uncertain what to Intend and Do in all the tenor and actions of his life? Like a man going out at his door, not knowing whither, or what to do, or which way to go: Either he will stand still, or move as Brutes do by present sense, or a Windmill or Weathercock, as he is moved.
§ 6. And 1. If a man be but uncertain what he ⟨p. 4⟩should make the End of his Life, or what he should live for, how can he pitch upon an uncertain End? And if he waver so as to have no End, he can use no Means: And if End and Means be all laid by, the Man liveth not as a Man, but as a Brute. And what a torment must it be to a considering mind, to be uncertain what to Intend and Do in all the tenour and actions of his life? Like a man going out at his door, not knowing whither, or what to do, or which way to go: Either he will stand still, or move as Brutes do by present sense, or a Windmill or Weathercok, as he is moved.