A26921:671
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.
That Christ after Forty Days continuance on Earth, was taken up into Heaven in the sight of his Disciples, is a Matter of Fact of which we have all the forementioned infallible proof, which I must not here again repeat.
And, 1. If Christ were not glorified now in Heaven he could not send down his Spirit with his Word on Earth, nor have enabled the first Witnesses to speak with all Tongues, and heal the Sick, and raise the Dead, and do all the Miracles which they did. A dead Man cannot send down the Holy Spirit in likeness of Fiery cloven Tongues, nor enable Thousands to do such Works; nor could he do what is done on the Souls of serious Believers in all Ages and Nations to this Day. He is sure alive that makes men live, and in Heaven that draws up Hearts to Heaven.
And, 1. If Christ were not glorified now in Heaven he could not send down his Spirit with his Word on Earth, nor have enabled the first Witnesses to speak with all Tongues, and heal the Sick, and raise the Dead, and do all the Miracles which they did. A dead Man cannot send down the Holy Spirit in likeness of Firy cloven Tongues, nor enable Thousands to do such VVorks; nor could he do what is done on the Souls of serious Believers in all Ages and Nations to this Day. He is sure alive that makes men live, and in Heaven that draws up Hearts to Heaven.
2. And this is our Hope and Joy: Heaven and Earth are in his Power. The Suffering and Work which he performed for us on Earth was short, but his heavenly Intercession and Reign is Everlasting. Guilty Souls can have no immediate access to God: All is by a Mediator: All our receivings from God are by him: And all our services are returned by him, and accepted for his sake. And as he is the Mediator between his Father and us, his Spirit intercedeth between him and us: By his Spirit he giveth us Holy desires and every Grace: and by his Spirit we exercise them in returns to him.