A26921:72
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.
§ 9. A life of sin will not be avoided upon lower Ends and Motives: Nay, those lower Ends when alone, will be a constant sin themselves: A preferring Vanity to Glory, the Creature to God, and a setting our heart on that which will never make us happy: And when lust and appetite incline men strongly and constantly to their several objects, what shall sufficiently restrain them, except the greater and more durable delights or motives fetched from preponderating things? Lust and Appetite distinguish not between lawful and unlawful. We may see in the brutish Politics of Benedictus Spinosa, in his Tractat. Theolog. Polit. whither the Principles of Infidelity tend. If sin so overspread the Earth, that the whole world is as drowned in wickedness, notwithstanding all the hopes and fears of a life to come, what would it do were there no such hopes and fears?
§ 9. A life of sin will not be avoided upon lower Ends and Motives: Nay, those lower Ends when alone, will be a constant sin themselves: A preferring Vanity to Glory, the Creature to God, and a setting our heart on that which will never make us happy: And when lust and appetite incline men strongly and constantly to their several objects, what shall sufficiently restrain them, except the greater and more durable delights or motives fetcht from preponderating things? Lust and Appetite distinguish not between lawful and unlawful. We may see in the brutish Politicks of Benedictus Spinosa, in his Tractat. Theolog. Polit. whither the Principles of Infidelity tend. If sin so overspread the Earth, that the whole world is as drowned in wickedness, notwithstanding all the hopes and fears of a life to come, what would it do were there no such hopes and fears?
§ 10. 3. And no Mercy can be truly known and estimated, nor rightly used and improved by him that seeth not its tendency to the End, and perceiveth not that it leadeth to a better Life, and useth it not thereunto. God dealeth more bountifully with us than worldlings understand: He giveth us all the mercies of this life, as helps to an immortal state of Glory, and as earnests of it. Sensualists know not what a Soul is, nor what Soul-mercies are, and therefore not what the Soul of all bodily mercies are; but take up only with the carcass, shell, or shadow. If the King would give