A26921:854
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.
Patience preventeth many sins; which impatience causeth: Hard thoughts of God, if not hard and unseemly Words; Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly: Impatience tempteth men to think that Piety and Prayer are in vain, and to condemn the Generation of the Just, and to leave off Duty, and say, Why should I wait on God any longer; yea, and to venture on false and sinful means, in hopes of deliverance and ease.
Patience preventeth many sins; which impatience causeth: Hard thoughts of God, if not hard and unseemly Words; Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly: Impatience tempteth men to think that Piety and Prayer are in vain, and to condemn the Generatition of the Just, and to leave off Duty, and say, Why should I wait on God any longer; yea, and to venture on false and sinful means, in hopes of deliverance and ease.
Were it to men, we have much to allay our impatience: But against God impatience hath no just excuse. ⟨p. 319⟩Infinite Power, Wisdom, and Goodness can do nothing that deserveth blame: We have God's Promise that All things shall work together for our good: And is he not to be trusted? Or is the means of our good to be accused?
Impatience, is unseemly for them that believe that heavenly Rest and Glory are at hand; where all their pains and sorrows will end. Were a Man on the Rack, and were sure to have all that he desired after it, he would the more easily endure it. Why else did the Martyrs so patiently suffer? It's incongruous to complain of any thing that brings a Man to Heaven.