122 BAXTER'S DYING THOUGHTS. man have greater honor than to be the same with the will of God? Assimilation to a king, amongus poor mortals, goeth for honor ; as- similation to angels is much more. That we shall be like, or equal to, angels, is a high part of the blessed's praise ; but how much more is it to be thus far like to God ! Indeed, God's image, and the divine nature in us here, can be no less than this similitude to God's will in the degree that we have it. But, alas ! that degree is so very low, as that we can hardy tell whether, our similitude or dissimilitude be the more; -I mean, whether our wills are for more that God willeth, 'or against more. O, how many thou- sand wishes and desires have we had; which, are against the will of God! But there we shall have the full impression of God's will upon our wills, as face answereth ,face in a glass, or as the wax answereth the seal ; as the finger on the outside answereth to the motion of the clock within, so, in all things which belong toour duty and perfection, we shall answer the will of God. As the echo answereth the voice, defectively, but truly, without contra- diction or discord, so will our wills be as the echo of'God's will. 2. And then I am sure that there . will be nothing in my will but good ; for God willeth no evil. 3. And this will be virtually all obedience ; for all sin is volun- tary, and all moral good is primarily in the will. ' 4. And then there will be no matter of disquiet in me, but all will be in perfect' peace ; for all that is like God will be pleasing both to God and me ; no troubling crossness-will remain. 5. And how easy and sweet, then, will `all my obedieriee be, when'I shall perfectly will it, without any reluctancy or averseness! All will be my very pleasure that Í db. And seeing my will shall be -the sarpe with the will of God, it followeth that it shall never be frustrate, hut I shall have all what- soever I would have, and shall be and do whatsoever I would be and do. For I shall desire nothing but what Godwil]eth,and God's will shall certainly be done. I shall have as much love and joy as I would have ; ]. shall be as happy as I would be ; I shall desire nothing for others but it shall be done. Indeed, if God's will were there unknown to me, I might ignorantlygo against it, as I do here.; but there, before'I will or desire any thing, I shall know whether it be God's will or not, so that I shall never wish any thing which shall not be accomplished. And as it is God's perfection,' to have his will always done, (though all his laws be not obeyed,) so my per- fection shall consist in this likeness unto God,'that my will shall be still fulfilled. And then Christ's promises will be perfectly performed =" Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Ye shallaskwhat you will, and it shall be done unto you ; ' Johnxv. 16. and xvi. 23. and xiv. 13, 14. 'and'xv. 7. While their will was
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=