Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and…

§ 28. But yet it was a greater part of Peter's dotage, to think of Tabernacles for Christ, Moses, and Elijah, and of detaining of heavenly Inhabitants upon Earth: If you should offer the lowest Saint in Heaven an earthly Kingdom in exchange for his Condition, with what disdain would he despise the offer? Christ's Kingdom was not of this World, nor would Moses and Elijah change their lot with Alexander or Caesar. Poor trifles allure us, and seem somewhat to us (as toys to Children) while we are dreaming in the Flesh; but if once we be delivered and see what the Celestial Glory is, what a change will it make upon our judgments. We fear now in the dark to go unto that World of Light, and are loth to put off the rags of Flesh, and to depart from a known though a dirty falling habitation: But if we get to Heaven we shall be loth to return to Earth again, and to be so coarsely clothed: When once we are there, a World would not hire us to come back into this corruptible Body, till God will make it Spiritual and Incorruptible. Our Friends whose Death we passionately lamented, would be loth now to change their company for such as we are, or their abode for such a wicked World as this, or their work for the best of ours on Earth: No wonder that departed blessed Souls appear not to their friends on Earth: Most Apparitions are of Devils, or ⟨p. 341⟩miserable Souls, to whom it is no loss, or condescension Were I once in Heaven, could I possibly be willing to be turned again into a Bedlam World, and laid under the Feet of blinded pride and raging madness, and live among Sodomites (called Christians) whose God is their Belly, and who glory in their filthiness and shame, and mind nothing with love but earthly things, and are bitter Enemies not only to the Cross, but to the Government of Christ! Would I be again among Dogs and Swine? Yea, Devils in Flesh, who hate and persecute the Regenerate Seed, and all that will not receive their mark, and be as mad & bad as they? would I again be groaning here in pain, or tired with a weary Body, and more with a feeble sinful Soul, weak in Faith, Cold in Love, of doubtful Hope, and imperfect Duty. Would I be here again in the prospect of a Grave, with fear of dying; as strange as now to the heavenly Felicity? Lazarus will not come from Abraham's bosom, for the rich Man's Wealth and Belly-pleasure, no not to warn his sensual Brethren.

§ 28. But yet it was a greater part of Peter's dotage, to think of Tabernacles for Christ, Moses, and Elias, and of detaining of heavenly Inhabitants upon Earth: If you should offer the lowest Saint in Heaven an earthly Kingdom in exchange for his Condition, with what disdain would he despise the offer? Christ's Kingdom was not of this World, nor would Moses and Elias change their lot with Alexander or Caesar. Poor trifles allure us, and seem somwhat to us (as toys to Children) while we are dreaming in the Flesh; but if once we be delivered and see what the Celestial Glory is, what a change will it make upon our judgments. We fear now in the dark to go unto that World of Light, and are loth to put off the rags of Flesh, and to depart from a known though a dirty falling habitation: But if we get to Heaven we shall be loth to return to Earth again, and to be so coursly cloathed: When once we are there, a World would not hire us to come back into this corruptible Body, till God will make it Spiritual and Incorruptible. Our Friends whose Death we passionately lamented, would be loth now to change their company for such as we are, or their abode for such a wicked World as this, or their work for the best of ours on Earth: No wonder that departed blessed Souls appear not to their friends on Earth: Most Apparitions are of Devils, or