Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

Now let the Reader judge whether any thing in all this can in the least infer his Doubting or Denial of a Future State; or any Repentance of the Pains he took to establish others in the Belief and Hopes of what the Gospel tells us of as future. It is strange to see how Men can trifle in their Soul-affairs, and how easily they can receive whatever may mortify the Life and Joy of Christian Godliness: But we read of some that have been led Captive by the Devil at his will. But this we may believe, and all shall find that the Hell which they gave no credit to the report of, they shall surely feel, and that they shall never reach that Heaven which they would never believe Existent, and worth their serious looking after. Were it but a mere probability, or possibility, who will have the better of it? When we reach Heaven, we shall be in a Capacity of Insulting over Infidels: But if there be no Future State, they can never live to upbraid us. And it is but folly, madness, and a voluntary cheating of themselves, for Men to think that Honour, Parts, or Learning, or Interest, or Possessions can ever screen them from the Wrath of a neglected and provoked God. And one would think that such a Spirit that can so boldly traduce and asperse Men, is much below what has acted a Pagan Roman; for even one of them, could say, Compositum jus fasque animi, Sanctosque recessus Mentis, & incoctum genoroso pectus •onesto Da, cedò— Pers. How little of this Spirit was in the Author and Promoter of this Aspersion, I leave to his own and others Thoughts to pause on; who he is I know not: But for the sake of his Honour, Soul, and Faculty, I must and will request of God that he may have those softer Remorses in his own Spirit in due season, which may prevent a smarter Censure from the universal, awful Judge; and that he would soberly pause upon what that great Judge has uttered, and left upon record in Matth. 12. 36, 37. for it is what that Judge will abide and try us by.

Now let the Reader judge whether any thing in all this can in the least infer his Doubting or Denial of a Future State; or any Repentance of the Pains he took to establish others in the Belief and Hopes of what the Gospel tells us of as future. It is strange to see how Men can trifle in their Soul-affairs, and how easily they can receive whatever may mortifie the Life and Joy of Christian Godliness: But we read of some that have been led Captive by the Devil at his will. But this we may believe, and all shall find that the Hell which they gave no credit to the report of, they shall surely feel, and that they shall never reach that Heaven which they would never believe Existent, and worth their serious looking after. Were it but a meer probability, or possibility, who will have the better of it? When we reach Heaven, we shall be in a Capacity of Insulting over Inidels: But if there be no Future State, they can never live to upbraid us. And it is but folly, madness, and a voluntary cheating of themselves, for Men to think that Honour, Parts, or Learning, or Interest, or Possessions can ever skreen them from the Wrath of a neglected and provoked God. And one would think that such a Spirit that can so boldly traduce and asperse Men, is much below what has acted a Pagan Roman; for even one of them, could say, Compositum jus fasque animi, Sanctosque recessus Mentis, & incoctum genoroso pectus onesto Da, cedò— Pers. How little of this Spirit was in the Author and Promoter of this Aspersion, I leave to his own and others Thoughts to pause on; who he is I know not: But for the sake of his Honour, Soul, and Faculty, I must and will request of God that he may have those softer Remorses in his own Spirit in due season, which may prevent a smarter Censure from the universal, awful Judge; and that he would soberly pause upon what that great Judge has uttered, and left upon record in