A27048:26
A treatise of death, the last enemy to be destroyed showing wherein its enmity…A treatise of death, the last enemy to be destroyed shewing wherein its enmity…
A treatise of death, the last enemy to be destroyed showing wherein its enmity consisteth and how it is destroyed : part of it was preached at the funerals [sic] of Elizabeth, the late wife of Mr. Joseph Baker ... / by Rich. Baxter ; with some few passages of the life of the said Mrs. Baker observed.A treatise of death, the last enemy to be destroyed shewing wherein its enmity consisteth and how it is destroyed : part of it was preached at the funerals [sic] of Elizabeth, the late wife of Mr. Joseph Baker ... / by Rich. Baxter ; with some few passages of the life of the said Mrs. Baker observed.
London: printed by R.W. for Nev. Simmons, 1660
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.
The Providence that called me to this work, was so•e warning to you. Though it was not the calling away your Teacher, it was a removing of his Helper, a pattern of meekness, and godliness, and charity, and he is left the more disconsolate in the prosecution of his work. God hath made him faithful to your souls, and careful for your happiness. He walks before you in humility and self-denial, and patience, and peaceableness, and in an upright inoffensive life: He is ⟨p. 34⟩willing to teach you publicly and privately, in season and out of season: He manageth the work of God with prudence and moderation, and yet with Zeal, carefully avoiding both ungodliness and schism, or the countenancing of either of them: Were he not of eminent wisdom and integrity, his name would not be so unspotted in a place where Dividers, and Disputers, Papists, and Quakers, and so many bitter enemies of godliness, do watch for matter of accusation and reproach against the faithful Ministers of Christ. As you love the safety and happiness of your City, and of your souls, undervalue not such mercies, nor ⟨p. 35⟩think it enough to put them off with your commendations and good word: It is not that which they live, and preach, and labour for; but for the Conversion, Edification and salvation of your souls. Let them have this, or they have nothing, if you should give them all you have. The enemies of the Gospel have no wiser Cavil against the painful Labourers of th• Lord, then to call them •••elings, and blame them for looking after Tithes, and great matters in the world. B•t as among all the faithful Ministers of this Country through the great mer•y of God th•se adversaries are now almost ashamed to open their mouths ⟨p. 36⟩with an accusation of Covetousness? So this your Reverend, faithful Teacher, hath stopped the mouth of all such calumny, as to him. When I invited him from a place of less work, and a competent maintenance, to accept of less then half that maintenance, with a far greater burden of work among you, he never stuck at it, as thinking he might be more serviceable to God, and win that which is better then the riches of this world. And if now you will frustrate his expectations, and disappoint his labours and hopes of your salvation, it will be easier for Sodom in the day of judgement then for you.