A26921:984
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.
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.
If there be any thing (as surely there is) in which the Divine Nature and Spirit of Adoption consisteth, as above all the Art and Notions of Religion, which are but like to other acquired Knowledge, sure it must be this holy Appetite and Habitual Inclination of the Soul to God by way of Love, which is bred by an internal sense of his Loveliness, and Loving inclination to Man: which differenceth a Christian from other men, as a Child differs towards his Father, from Strangers or from common Neighbours. Till the love of God be the very state or nature of the Soul, (working here towards his Honour, Interests, Word, and Servants) no Man can say that he is God's habitation by the Spirit: And how the Heart will ever be thus habited, without believing God's Love to us, it's hard to conceive.
If there be any thing (as surely there is) in which the Divine Nature and Spirit of Adoption consisteth, as above all the Art and Notions of Religion, which are but like to other acquired Knowledge, sure it must be this holy Appetite and Habitual Inclination of the Soul to God by way of Love, which is bred by an internal sense of his Loveliness, and Loving inclination to Man: which differenceth a Christian from other men, as a Child differs towards his Father, from Strangers or from common Neigbours. Till the love of God be the very state or nature of the Soul, (working here towards his Honour, Interests, Word, and Servants) no Man can say that he is God's habitation by the Spirit: And how the Heart will ever be thus habited, without believing God's Love to us, it's hard to conceive.