A26921:986
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.
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.
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 Loadstone 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.
III. But this must as necessarily be the work of the Holy Ghost, and can be no more done without him, than the Earth can be illuminated, and the Vegetables live without the Sun. But all the approaches of the Holy Spirit suffice not to produce this great effect, and give us the Divine holy Nature.
The same Sun shine hath three different effects on its Objects.