A26921:951
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.
X. [And Experience, Hope.] A bare Promise should ⟨p. 364⟩give us Hope: But we are still distrustful of our selves and of all the clearest Evidences, till experience help us, and set all Home. O what an advantage hath a Christian of great and long experience for his hope and joy! And yet when notable experiences of God's Providence are past and gone, an unbelieving Heart is ready to question whether the things came not by mere natural course; and like the Israelites in the Wilderness, dangers and fears bear down even long and great experiences: This is my sin.
X. [And Experience, Hope.] A bare Promise should ⟨p. 364⟩give us Hope: But we are still distrustful of our selves and of all the clearest Evidences, till experience help us, and set all Home. O what an advantage hath a Christian of great and long experience for his hope and joy! And yet when notable experiences of God's Providence are past and gone, an unbelieving Heart is ready to question whether the things came not by meer natural course; and like the Israelites in the Wilderness, dangers and fears bear down even long and great experiences: This is my sin.
XI. [And Hope maketh not ashamed.] That is, true Hope of what God hath promised shall never be disappointed. They that trust on deceitful Creatures are deceived, and ashamed of their Hope: For all men are Liars, that is, untrusty; but God is true, and ever faithful: O what a comfort is it that God commandeth me to trust him? Sure such a command is a virtual Promise, from him that cannot fail that trust, which he commandeth. Lord help me to trust thee in greatest dangers, and there to rest.
XI. [And Hope maketh not ashamed.] That is, true Hope of what God hath promised shall never be disappointed. They that trust on deceitful Creatures are deceived, and ashamed of their Hope: For all men are Lyars, that is, untrusty; but God is true, and ever faithful: O what a comfort is it that God commandeth me to trust him? Sure such a command is a virtual Promise, from him that cannot fail that trust, which he commandeth. Lord help me to trust thee in greatest dangers, and there to rest.