A44681:13
A funeral sermon on the decease of that worthy gentlewoman Mrs. Margaret Baxter, who…
A funeral sermon on the decease of that worthy gentlewoman Mrs. Margaret Baxter, who died the 28th of June, 1681 by John Howe.
London: printed for Brabazon Alymer, 1681
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.
We are a mysterious sort of Creatures! Yet I acknowledge the Wisdom of God is great and admirable, in planting in our Natures so strong a love of this bodily Life; without which the best would be more impatient of living on Earth, so long as God thinks it requisite they should. And to the worst, Death would not be a sufficiently formidable punishment. And consequently humane Laws and Justice would be, in great part, eluded.
We are a mysterious sort of Creatures! Yet I acknowledg the Wisdom of God is great and admirable, in planting in our Natures so strong a love of this bodily Life; without which the best would be more impatient of living on Earth, so long as God thinks it requisite they should. And to the worst, Death would not be a sufficiently formidable punishment. And consequently humane Laws and Justice would be, in great part, eluded.
And the same Divine Wisdom is not less admirable, in providing there should so generally be so much of mutual Love, as doth obtain among near Friends, and Relatives; For thereby their Cohabitation, and mutual Offices towards each other, are made more pleasant and easy; which is a great compensation for the concomitant Evil, that, by the same Love, their parting with one another cannot but be rendered grievous.
And the same Divine Wisdom is not less admirable, in providing there should so generally be so much of mutual Love, as doth obtain among near Friends, and Relatives; For thereby their Cohabitation, and mutual Offices towards each other, are made more pleasant and easie; which is a great compensation for the concomitant Evil, that, by the same Love, their parting with one another cannot but be rendered grievous.
But for you, who live so much upon the Borders, and in the pleasant view of the other State; The one separation, is, I doubt not, much easier to your sense, and the other to your fore-thoughts, than they are with the most, A perfect indifferency towards this present bodily State, and Life, is, in mine eyes, a most covetable thing, and my daily aim. Wherein I entreat your Prayers may assist,