A27061:170
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.
And if the fearful doubting Soul shall say; I know this is comfort to them that are in Christ; but what is it to me, that know not whether I have any part in him? I answer, 1. The foundation of God still standeth sure: the Lord knoweth his own, even when some of them know not that they are his own. He knoweth his mark upon his sheep, when they ⟨p. 112⟩know it not themselves. God doubteth not of his interest in thee, though thou doubt of thy interest in him: And thou art faster in the arms of his Love, then by the arms of thy own faith: as the child is surer in the Mothers arms, then by its holding of the Mother. And moreover your doubts and fears are part of the evil that shall be removed, and your bitterest sorrows that hence proceed, shall with the rest of the enemies be destroyed.
2. But yet take heed that you unthankfully plead not against the mercies which you have received, and be not friends to those doubts and fears which are your enemies, and that you take not part with the enemy of your comforts. Why dost thou doubt (poor humbled soul) of thy interest in Christ, that must make the conquest? Answer me but these few Questions from thy heart.
1. Did Christ ever show himself unkind to thee? or unwilling to receive thee, and have mercy on thee? Did he ever give thee cause to think so poorly of his Love and grace, as thy doubts do intimate thou dost? Hast thou not found him kind when thou wast unkind? and that he thought on thee when thou didst not think on him? and will he now forget ⟨p. 113⟩thee, and end in wrath that begun in Love? He desired thee when thou didst not desire him, and gave thee all thy desires after him: and will he now cross and deny the desires which he hath caused? He was found of thee, (or rather found thee) when thou soughtest not after him: and can he reject thee now thou criest and callest for his grace? O think not hardly of his wondrous grace, till he give thee cause. Let thy sweet experiences be remembered, to the shame of thy causeless doubts and fears; and let him that hath loved thee to the death, be thought on as he is, and not as the unbelieving flesh would misrepresent him.