LIFE OF RICHARD BAXTER. 223 deafof good by them; and that they were of moderate, peaceful spirits. " He did often pray that God would be merciful to this misera- ble, distractedworld, and that he would preserve his church and interest in it. He advised his friends to beware of self-conceited- ness, as a sin that was likely to ruin this nation ; and said, ' I have writtén a book against it, which I am afraid hat done little, good.' "Being asked, whether he had altered his mind in controversial points, he said, ' Those that please, may know my mind in my writings ; and that what he had done wasnot for his own reputation, but for the glory of God.' " I went to him, with a very worthy friend, Mr. Mather, of New England, the day before he died; and, speaking some com= forting words to him, he replied, "I have pain ; there is no arguing against sense; but I have peace, I have peace.' I told him, ' You are now approaching to your long-desired home;' he answered, ' I believe, I believe.' He said to Mr. Mather, ' I bless God that you have accomplished your business ; the Lord prolongyour life.' "He expressed a great willingness to die; and during his sick- ness, when the question was asked, ' Howhe did?' his reply was, Almost well.' His joy was most temarkable, when, in his own apprehension§, deathwas nearest ; and his spiritual joywas at length consummate in eternal joy."* "While pain and sickness wasted his body," says Sylvester, "his soul abode rational, strong in faith and hope, arguing itself into, and preserving itselfin that,patience, hope and joy through grace, whichgave him great sdpport,and kept out doubts, and fears concerning his eternal welfare." " Even to the last, Inevercould perceivehis peace and heavenly hopes assaulted or disturbed. I have often heard him . greatly lament that he felt no greater liveliness in what appeared so great and clear to him, and' so very much desired by him. As to the influence thereof upon his spirit, in order to the sensible refresh- ments of it, he clearly sawwhat ground he had to rejoice in God he doubted not of.his right to heaven. He told me he knew it should bé well with himwhen he was gone. Hewondered to hear others speak of their sensible, passionately strong desires to die, and of their transports of spirit, when. sensible of their approach- ing death ; whereas he himself thought he .knew as much as they, and had as rational satisfaction as they could have that his soul was safe, and yet could never feel their sensible consolations. I asked him whether much of this was not to be' resolved into bodily con- stitution; he told,me he thought it might be so." '" Bates's Works, Vol. IV. pp. 337.340.
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