Dying Thoughts
Written near the close of his own life, Richard Baxter's meditations on Philippians 1:23 weigh the believer's strait between two: the goodness of remaining to serve Christ on earth against the far greater blessedness of departing to be with Him. Baxter examines his own heart with characteristic honesty, working through his doubts and fears about death to arrive at settled hope in the soul's future glory.
Based on Dying Thoughts by Richard Baxter (1683)
Puritan quotes
Quotes by Richard Baxter
“Words and actions are transient things, and being once past, are nothing; but the effect of them on an immortal soul may be endless.”
“Heaven is won or lost on earth; the possession is there, but the preparation is here.”
“Church greatness consists in being greatly serviceable.”
“This life was not intended to be the place of our perfection, but the preparation for it.”
“You shall find this to be God's usual course; not to give His children the taste of His delights till they begin to perspire in seeking after them.”
“Every time we look upon our congregations, let us believingly remember that they are the purchase of Christ's blood, and therefore should be regarded by us with the deepest interest and the most tender affection.”
“Be sure that you live not idly, but in some constant business of a lawful calling, so far as you have bodily strength. Idleness is a constant sin, and labour is a duty.”
“Convince them what a contradiction it is to be a Christian, and yet to refuse to learn; for what is a Christian but a disciple of Christ?”
“The very design of the gospel is to abase us; and the work of grace is begun and carried on in humiliation. Humility is not a mere ornament of a Christian, but an essential part of the new creature.”
“Take heed to yourselves, because the tempter will more ply you with his temptations than other men.”
