A26921:910
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.
Hear him now in the Day of Grace, and he will hear thee in the day of thy Extremity, in the day of Danger, Sickness, Death, and Judgment, when the World forsaketh thee, and no ones hearing else can help thee.
§ 37. But, I was not one that saw this Vision: Had I seen it my self it would have satisfied me and confuted ⟨p. 348⟩all my doubts. Answ. But it is the will of God that the Ministry and Testimony of Man, shall be a means of our believing: It's Faith and not Sight that must be the ordinary way of our Salvation. Else Christ must have showed himself and his Miracles, Resurrection, and Ascension to every one in the World that must believe in him: And then he must have been visible at once in every Kingdom, Parish, and Place on Earth, and continued so to the end of the World; and must have died, risen and ascended many Millions of times, and in every place. They that will put such Laws on their Lawgiver before they will believe in him, must be saved without him, and against him if they can. This is more unreasonable than to tell God that you will not believe that there is a Heaven or Hell, unless you see them. But God will have us live and be saved by believing, and not by sight. And he will use Man for the Instruction and Salvation of Man, and not send Angels with every Message.
§ 37. But, I was not one that saw this Vision: Had I seen it my self it would have satisfied me and confuted ⟨p. 348⟩all my doubts. Answ. But it is the will of God that the Ministry and Testimony of Man, shall be a means of our believing: It's Faith and not Sight that must be the ordinary way of our Salvation. Else Christ must have shewed himself and his Miracles, Resurrection, and Ascension to every one in the World that must believe in him: And then he must have been visible at once in every Kingdom, Parish, and Place on Earth, and continued so to the end of the World; and must have died, risen and ascended many Millions of times, and in every place. They that will put such Laws on their Lawgiver before they will believe in him, must be saved without him, and against him if they can. This is more unreasonable than to tell God that you will not believe that there is a Heaven or Hell, unless you see them. But God will have us live and be saved by believing, and not by sight. And he will use Man for the Instruction and Salvation of Man, and not send Angels with every Message.