A26921:982
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.
What wonder then if our Language, our Converse, our Prayers, have too little savour of it, and in comparison of joyful Believers duties, be but like green Apples to the mellow ones.
My God, I feel what it is that I want, and I perceive what it is that is most desirable: O let not guilt be so far unpardoned, as to deprive my Soul of this greatest good, which thou hast commended to me and commanded, and which in my languishing and pains I so much need. Did I beg for Wealth or Honour, I might have it to the loss of others: But thy Love will make me more useful to all, and none will have the less for my enjoyment: For thou Lord art enough for all; Even as none hath the less of the Sun-light for my enjoying it. The least well ⟨p. 369⟩grounded hope of thy Love is better than all the pleasures of the Flesh: But without some pleasant sense of it, alas, what a withered languishing thing is a Soul; thy loving kindness is better than life; but if I taste it not, how shall I here rejoice in God, or bear my heavy burdens?
O let me not be a dishonour to thy Family, where all have so great cause to honour thy bounty by their joy, and hopes: Nor by a sad and fearful Heart, tempt men to think that thy love is not real and satisfactory; I can easily believe and admire thy Greatness, and thy Knowledge: Let it not be so hard to me to believe and taste thy Goodness and thy Love: Which is as necessary to me.