A26921:856
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.
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.
Christ was himself Innocent, and yet accused not God for his sufferings. But we suffer justly for our faults; and it's so much less than they deserve, that the sins which we suffer most for are said to be forgiven us, in that the everlasting punishment is forgiven: Should we so often sinfully please the Flesh, and yet must it not smart? Shall we so often grieve the Spirit of God, and not be grieved? Shall we lose our time, neglect our duty forget our home, fall in love with the World, and yield to temptations, and defile our Souls with filth and vanity, and must not correction tell us of our sinful folly? If we suffer for our faults and bear it patiently, it is not thanks worthy, 1 Pet. 2. 20.
Our merciful Father doth use to shame us for our impatience, by the blessed end of our Afflictions. The End that God made with Job showed the reasonableness of his Patience: When our afflictions are over, do not all Believers see cause of thankfulness for them, and say, It is good for me that I was afflicted? The pain is past, and the benefit remaineth. And if all that's past was Mercy to us, why should we much fear that ⟨p. 320⟩which is to come. Heaven will end all, and shame impatience for ever.
Our merciful Father doth use to shame us for our impatience, by the blessed end of our Afflictions. The End that God made with Job shewed the reasonableness of his Patience: When our afflictions are over, do not all Believers see cause of thankfulness for them, and say, It is good for me that I was afflicted? The pain is past, and the benefit remaineth. And if all that's past was Mercy to us, why should we much fear that