A27048:59
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.
6. And consequently by all this already mentioned, our Endeavours meet with a great impediment. If Death weaken Faith, Desire, and Hope, it must needs dull our Endeavours. The deterred, discouraged soul moves slowly in the way of life: Whereas if Death were not in our way, how cheerfully should we run towards Heaven? Our thoughts of it would be still sweet, and these would be a powerful Spring to action? When the Will goes with full Sails, the commanded faculty will the more easily follow. We should long so earnestly to be in Heaven, if Death were not in the way, that nothing could easily stop us in our course? How earnestly should we pray? How seriously should we meditate and confer of Heaven? and part with any thing to attain it? But that which dulls our Desires of the End, must needs be an Enemy ⟨p. 25⟩to holy Diligence, and dull us in the use of means.
6. And consequently by all this already mentioned, our Endeavors meet with a great impediment. If Death weaken Faith, Desire, and Hope, it must needs dull our Endeavors. The deterred, discouraged soul moves slowly in the way of life: Whereas if Death were not in our way, how chearfully should we run towards Heaven? Our thoughts of it would be still sweet, and these would be a powerfull Spring to action? When the Will goes with full Sails, the commanded faculty will the more easily follow. We should long so earnestly to be in Heaven, if Death were not in the way, that nothing could easily stop us in our course? How earnestly should we pray? How seriously should we meditate and conser of Heaven? and part with any thing to attain it? But that wh•ch dulls our Desires of the End, must needs be an Enemy ⟨p. 25⟩to holy Diligence, and dull us in the use of means.
7. This Enemy also doth dangerously tempt us to fall in love with present things, and to take up the miserable Portion of the worldling: when it hath weakened faith, and cooled our desires to the life to come, we shall be tempted to think that its best take such pleasure as may here be had, and feed on that where a sensual mind hath less discouragement. Whereas, if Death did not stand in the way, and darken Heaven to us, and turn back our desires, how easily should we get above thes trifles, and perceive the vanity of all below, and how unworthy they are to be once regarded!