A26921:877
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.
§ 21. But this was but once in all the time of his abode among them. It was an extraordinary Feast, and not their daily Bread: They had Christ still with them, but not transfigured in Glory, nor Moses and Elijah in their sight: We are too apt to think that if God give us a joyful extraordinary glimpse of Heaven, we must have it always; or that he forsaketh us, and castus ⟨p. 328⟩off when he denieth it us! O that we were as desirous of Holiness and Duty, as we are of the Joy which is the reward! But our Father, and not we, must be the chooser both of our Food and Feast. Moses did not dwell on Mount Nebo, that he might still see the Land of Promise: It was enough to have one sight of it before his death. As Flesh and Blood cannot enter into Heaven, so it's little of Heaven that entereth into it.
§ 21. But this was but once in all the time of his abode among them. It was an extraordinary Feast, and not their daily Bread: They had Christ still with them, but not transfigured in Glory, nor Moses and Elias in their sight: We are too apt to think that if God give us a joyful extraordinary glimpse of Heaven, we must have it always; or that he forsaketh us, and castus ⟨p. 328⟩off when he denieth it us! O that we were as desirous of Holiness and Duty, as we are of the Joy which is the reward! But our Father, and not we, must be the chooser both of our Food and Feast. Moses did not dwell on Mount Nebo, that he might still see the Land of Promise: It was enough to have one sight of it before his death. As Flesh and Blood cannot enter into Heaven, so it's little of Heaven that entereth into it.
§ 22. When the Disciples awake they see his Glory, and the two men that stood with him: It must not be a sleeping but an awakened Christian, that will have a sight of heavenly Glory! As we must love God with all the Heart, and Soul, and Might, all must be awakened in seeking him, and in attending him, before we can have a joyful foretaste of his Love. Carnal security, supine neglect, and dull contempt, are dispositions which render us uncapable of such delights. Heavenly joys suppose a heavenly disposition and desires. Angels sleep not, nor are clogged with Bodies of Clay: Earth hath no Wings; It must be holy vivacity that must carry up a Soul to God, notwithstanding the fetters of Flesh. It is with each others Souls in the Body that we converse together on Earth. And it is not sluggish, but lively Faith, and fervent desire that must converse in Heaven, with Moses and Elijah, and our living Head.