A69538:131
The last work of a believer his passing prayer recommending his departing spirit to…
The last work of a believer his passing prayer recommending his departing spirit to Christ to be received by Him / prepared for the funerals of Mary the widow first of Francis Charlton Esq. and after of Thomas Hanmer, Esq., and partly preached at St. Mary Magdalens Church in Milk-Street, London, and now, at the desire of her daughter, reprinted by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by B. Griffin for B. Simmons, 1682
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.
Say therefore to him, [O Lord, I had never loved thee if thou hadst not begun and loved me first: I had not not minded thee, or desired after thee, if thou hadst not kindled these desires: It cannot be that thy Grace it self should be a deceit and misery, and intended but to Tantalize us; and that thou hast set thy Servants Souls on longing for that which thou wilt never give them. Thou wouldst not have given me the wedding garment, when thou didst invite me, if thou hadst meant to keep me out: Even the grain of mustard-seed which thou sowedst in my heart, was a ⟨p. 53⟩kind of Promise of the Happiness to which it tendeth▪ indeed I have loved thee so little, that I am ashamed of my self, and confess my cold indifferency deserves thy wrath: But that I Love thee and desire thee is thy gift, which signifieth the higher satisfying gift: Though I am cold and dull, my eyes are towards thee; It is thee that I mean when I can but groan: It is long since I have bid this world away; It shall not be my home or portion: O perfect what thou hast begun: This is not the time or place of my perfection: And though my life be now hid with thee in God, when then appearest, let me appear with thee in glory, Col. 3. 4. and in the mean time let this soul enjoy its part, that appeareth before thee: Give me what thou hast caused me to Love, and then I shall more perfectly love thee, when my thirst is satisfied, and the water which thou hast given me, shall spring up to everlasting life, Joh. 4. 14.
Say therefore to him, [O Lord, I had never loved thee if thou hadst not begun and loved me first: I had not not minded thee, or desired after thee, if thou hadst not kindled these desires: It cannot be that thy Grace it self should be a deceit and misery, and intended but to Tantalizeus; and that thou hast set thy Servants Souls on longing for that which thou wilt never give them. Thou wouldst not have given me the wedding garment, when thou didst invite me, if thou hadst meant to keep me out: Even the grain of mustard-seed which thou sowedst in my heart, was a ⟨p. 53⟩kind of Promise of the Happiness to which it tendeth indeed I have loved thee so little, that I am ashamed of my self, and confess my cold indifferency deserves thy wrath: But that I Love thee and desire thee is thy gift, which signifieth the higher satisfying gift: Though I am cold and dull, my eyes are towards thee; It is thee that I mean when I can but groan: It is long since I have bid this world away; It shall not be my home or portion: O perfect what thou hast begun: This is not the time or place of my perfection: And though my life be now hid with thee in God, when then appearest, let me appear with thee in glory,