A funeral sermon on the decease of that worthy gentlewoman Mrs. Margaret Baxter, who…

5thly, We see the admirable power of Divine Grace, that it prevails against even the nature love of this bodily Life. Not where discontent, and weariness of Life contribute; but even where there is a willingness to live too, upon a valuable consideration, as this Apostle doth elsewhere express himself, viz. in the place before noted; and how easily the Divine Pleasure could reconcile him to Life, notwithstanding what is said in the Text, is sufficiently signified in the words immediately following it. And the Effect is permanent, not a sudden transport, (wherein many are induced to throw away their Lives upon much lower Motives); This appears to be an habitual Inclination. At distant times, we find the Apostle in the same temper. That is not surely from the power of Nature, that is so much against it, as the stream of Nature now runs, i. e. that a Man should be willing to be plucked in pieces, and severed from himself! And we see, Vers. 5. whereto it is expressly ascribed, He that hath wrought us to the self-same thing, is God.

5thly, We see the admirable power of Divine Grace, that it prevails against even the nature love of this bodily Life. Not where discontent, and weariness of Life contribute; but even where there is a willingness to live too, upon a valuable consideration, as this Apostle doth elsewhere express himself, viz. in the place before noted; and how easily the Divine Pleasure could reconcile him to Life, notwithstanding what is said in the Text, is sufficiently signified in the words immediately following it. And the Effect is permanent, not a sudden transport, (wherein many are induced to throw away their Lives upon much lower Motives); This appears to be an habitual Inclination. At distant times, we find the Apostle in the same temper. That is not surely from the power of Nature, that is so much against it, as the stream of Nature now runs, i. e. that a Man should be willing to be plucked in pieces, and severed from himself! And we see, Vers. 5. whereto it is expresly ascribed, He that hath wrought us to the self-same thing, is God.

6thly, How black is their Character, and how sad their State, that are more addicted to the Body, and this bodily life, than to the Lord, and that holy blessed Life we are to partake in with him! Their Character is black and horrid, as it is divers, from that which truly belongs to all the People of God, that ever lived on Earth; and so doth distinguish them from such, and place them among another sort of Men that belong not to him; such as have their portion in this Life, their good things here; and who are to expect nothing hereafter, but woe and wailing. And who would not be affrighted that finds a Mark upon him, that severs him from the whole Assembly of the Just,