A26921:965
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.
8. This then becomes the habitual state of the Soul, in all changes to live in the delightful sense of the love of God, as we do live in pleasure with our dearest Friends.
O blessed state, and first fruits of Heaven! and happy are they that do attain it! And though lower degrees have their degree of happiness, yet how far short are such, in goodness, amiableness and comfort, of those that are thus rich in grace.
This presupposeth; 1. Knowledge of God and the Gospel. 2. True belief and hope. 3. A sincere and fruitful life. 4. Mortification as to Idol, worldly vanities. 5. A conviction of our sincerity in all this. 6. A conclusion that God doth love us.
But yet it is somewhat above all this. A Man may ⟨p. 366⟩have all this in his Mind and Mouth, and yet want this gust of effused Love upon his Heart. These are the way to it, but not itself.