What is our knowledge and faith, but to know and believe that heaven consists in the glory and love of God there manifested, and that it was purchased by his covenant?
– Richard Baxter –
from Dying Thoughts, 1683
What is our knowledge and faith, but to know and believe that heaven consists in the glory and love of God there manifested, and that it was purchased by his covenant?
– Richard Baxter –
from Dying Thoughts, 1683
God never saved any man for being a preacher, nor because he was an able preacher; but because he was a justified, sanctified man, and consequently faithful in his Masters work. Take heed, therefore, to ourselves first, that you he that which you persuade your hearers to be, and believe that which you persuade them to believe, and heartily entertain that Savior whom you offer to them. He that bade you love your neighbors as yourselves, did imply that you should love yourselves, and not hate and destroy yourselves and them.
– Richard Baxter –
My Lord, I have nothing to do in this World, but to seek and serve thee; I have nothing to do with a Heart and its affections, but to breathe after thee. I have nothing to do with my Tongue and Pen, but to speak to thee, and for thee, and to publish thy Glory and thy Will. What have I to do with all my Reputation, and Interest in my Friends, but to increase thy Church, and propagate thy holy Truth and Service? What have I to do with my remaining Time, even these last and languishing hours, but to look up unto thee, and wait for thy Grace, and thy Salvation?
– Richard Baxter –
dying thoughts on Philippians 1:23
O then, for what should my soul more pray, than for a clearer and stronger faith? ‘I believe; Lord, help my unbelief!’ I have many thousand times groaned to thee under this burden of remaining darkness and unbelief; I have many thousand times thought of the evidences of Christianity, and of the necessity of a lively, powerful, active faith. I have cried to thee night and day, ‘Lord, increase my faith!’
– Richard Baxter –
from Dying Thoughts, 34
By thy blood we have “boldness to enter into the holiest, by a new and living way consecrated for us” (Hebrews 10:19-20). Cause me to draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. Thy name is faithful and true.
– Richard Baxter –
from Dying Thoughts, 1683
I preached as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.
– Richard Baxter –
(1615-1691)
If your hearts be not set on the end of your labors, and you do not long to see the conversion and edification of your hearers, and do not study and preach in hope, you are not likely to see much fruit of it. It is an ill sign of a false, self-seeking heart, that can be content to be still doing, and see no fruit of their labor.
– Richard Baxter –
Prayer must carry on our work as much as preaching; he preacheth not heartily to his people that will not pray for them.
– Richard Baxter –
Christ and salvation are freely given, and yet the most of men go without them because they can not enjoy the world and them together. They are called but to part with that which would hinder them Christ, and they will not do it. They are called but to give God his own, and to resign all to His will, and let go the profits and pleasures of this world, when they must let go either Christ or them, and they will not.
– Richard Baxter –