A27061:135
Two treatises the first of death, on I Cor. 15:26, the second of judgment…
Two treatises the first of death, on I Cor. 15:26, the second of judgment on 2 Cor. 5:10, 11 / by Rich. Baxter.
London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1672
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.
DIRECTION. IV.
Moreover, if you will conquer the enmity of Death, do all that you can to increase and exercise the love of God in you. For love will so incline you to the blessed object of it, that Death will not be able to keep down the flame. Were God set as a seal upon our hearts, we should find that Love is as strong as Death, and the coals thereof are coals of fire, and the flame is vehement: many waters cannot quench it, nor can the floods drown it, Cant. 8. 6, 7. If carnal Love have made the amorous to choose Death that they might passionately express it, especially when they have heard if the death of their beloved; and if natural fortitude and love to their Country, have made many valiant men, though Heathens, to contemn Death, and readily lay down lives, and if the love of fame and vain glory in a surviving name, have caused many to dye through pride: how much more will the powerful love of God; put on the soul to leave this flesh, and pass through Death, that we may see his face, and fully enjoy the object of our love? So much as you ⟨p. 81⟩love God, so much will you be above the terrors of the grave, and past through Death for the enjoyment of your beloved. Perfect Love casteth out fear; and he tqat feareth is not made perfect in love: in Death and Judgement, we shall have boldness, if our love be perfect, 1 John 4. 17, 18. This maketh the Martyrs cheerfully lay down their lives for Christ; and love is glad of so precious an opportunity for its exercise and manifestation. Love is a restless working thing, that will give you no rest, till your desires are attained, and you be with God. Nothing is so valiant as Love! It rejoiceth when it meeteth with difficulties, which it may encounter for the sake of our beloved! It contemneth dangers: It glorieth in sufferings: Though it be humble, and layeth by all thoughts of merit, yet it rejoiceth in sufferings; for Christ, and glorieth in the Cross, and in the participation of his sufferings, and in the honourable wounds and fears which we receive for him that died for us.