A26921:985
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.
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.
Experience tells the World how strongly it constraineth Persons to love one another, if they do but think that they are strongly beloved by one another. In the love that tends to marriage, if one that is inferior do ⟨p. 370⟩but know that a Person of far greater worth doth fervently love them, it almost puts a necessity and constraint on them for returns of Love: Nature can scarce choose but love in such a case. Love is the Lodestone of Love. A real taste of the Love of God in saving Souls by Christ and grace, is it that constraineth them to be holy; that is, to be devoted to that God in Love.