A26921:945
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.
3. Rejoicing is made by God the very naturally desired state of the Soul: It is when natural the pleasant efflorence of the Spirits, or their state of Health.
It is Pleasure that is the Spring or Poise of all motion sensitive in the World: Trahit sua quemque volisptas. Appetite or Will is the Active Principle, and congrucus Good, or delectable, is the Object. The World is undone by the seduction of false deceitful Pleasure, and men are blessed only in true and durable pleasure. And though we that made not our selves, are not so made for our selves, as that our Pleasure or Felicity in God, should be so high in our desire, as God himself, who is the ultimate Object of our Love; yet seeing such an Object he is, and the Love of him (and received from him) is our Felicity, these are never to be separated.
What have I to rejoice in, if this hoped Glory, be not my joy? All things else are dying to me. And God himself is not my Felicity, as he afflicts me, nor as he giveth me the transitory gifts of Nature, but as he is to be seen in Glory. If this be not my joy, it's all but vanity. What then should all my thoughts and labour aim at more (as to my self) than to hope for, and foretaste this Glory. No sin lieth heavier on me, than that my hopes of Glory raise me to no higher joy, and that the great weakness of my Faith, appeareth by such dull thoughts of Glory, or by withdrawing fears. Sure there is enough in the Glory of God, soundly believed and hoped for, to make a Man rejoice in pain and weakness, and to make him long to ⟨p. 363⟩be with Christ. I live not according to the Nature of Christianity, if I live not as in peace with God, and in the joyful hopes of promised Glory.
What have I to rejoice in, if this hoped Glory, be not my joy? All things else are dying to me. And God himself is not my Felicity, as he afflicts me, nor as he giveth me the transitory gifts of Nature, but as he is to be seen in Glory. If this be not my joy, it's all but vanity. What then should all my thoughts and labour aim at more (as to my self) than to hope for, and foretast this Glory. No sin lieth heavier on me, than that my hopes of Glory raise me to no higher joy, and that the great weakness of my Faith, appeareth by such dull thoughts of Glory, or by withdrawing fears. Sure there is enough in the Glory of God, soundly believed and hoped for, to make a Man rejoice in pain and weakness, and to make him long to