The life to come depends upon this present life. As the life of adult age depends upon infancy, or the reward upon work; or the prize of racers or soldiers upon their running or fighting; or the merchant’s gain upon his voyage. Heaven is won or lost on earth; the possession is there, but the preparation is here.
– Richard Baxter –
from Dying Thoughts, 1683
I preached as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.
– Richard Baxter –
Will you say that godliness is unpleasant, because it makes a man sorry for his ungodliness?… Would you wish a man that hath lived so long in sin and misery, to have no sorrow for it in his return—especially when it is but a healing sorrow, preparing for remission, and not a sorrow joined with despair, as theirs will be that die impenitently?
– Richard Baxter –
1615-1691
Most people judge the counsel they receive by the way they receive the affection of their counselor. See that you feel a tender love for your people, and then let them feel it by your speeches and see it in your dealings with them … Let them see that all you do is for their own sakes and not for your own end.
– Richard Baxter –
1615-1691
Let “deserved” be written on the door of hell, but on the door of heaven and life [write]: “The free gift.”
– Richard Baxter –
Speak to your people as to men that must be awakened, either here or in hell. Look around upon them with the eye of faith, and with compassion, and think in what a state of joy or torment they must all be for ever; and then, methinks, it will make you earnest, and melt your heart to a sense of their condition. Oh, speak not one cold or careless word about so great a business as heaven or hell. Whatever you do, let the people see that you are in good earnest. … You cannot break men’s hearts by jesting with them, or telling them a smooth tale, or pronouncing a gaudy oration. Men will not cast away their dearest pleasures at the drowsy request of one that seemeth not to mean as he speaks, or to care much whether his request be granted or not.
– Richard Baxter –
Is he the God of the hills, and not of the valleys? Did he love me in my youth and health, and will he not also in my age and pain and sickness?
– Richard Baxter –
from Dying Thoughts, 1683
None can do this work on the soul of man but God: not the most learned and holy teachers or the wisest and most affectionate parents, or the greatest princes.
– Richard Baxter –
1615-1691 AD
They cannot serve two masters God and the world. You know men will condemn you, if you be true to God: if, therefore, you must needs have the favour of men, you must take it alone without God’s favour. A man-pleaser cannot be true to God, because he is a servant to the enemies of his service; the wind of a man’s mouth will drive him about as the chaff, from any duty, and to any sin. How servile a person is a man-pleaser! How many masters hath he, and how mean ones! It perverteth the course of your hearts and lives, and turneth all from God to this unprofitable way.
– Richard Baxter –