A26782:151
Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with…
Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with the recompenses of the future state for the cure of infidelity, the hectic evil of the times / by William Bates ...Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with the recompences of the future state for the cure of infidelity, the hectick evil of the times / by William Bates ...
London: printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer, 1676
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. The acts of the Will that imperial faculty, prove it to be of a higher order of substance ⟨p. 171⟩than the sensitive Soul. The Brutes are acted by pure necessity; their powers are moved and determined by the external application of objects. 'Tis visible that all kinds of sensitive Creatures in all times, are carried in the same manner by the potent sway of Nature towards things suitable to their corporeal faculties. But the rational Will is a principle of free election, that controls the lower appetite, by restraining from the most pleasant and powerful allurements, and choosing sometimes the most distasteful things to sense. Now from whence arises this contention? If the rational Will be not of a higher nature than the sensual appetite, why does it not consent with its inclinations? How comes the Soul to mortify the most vehement ⟨p. 172⟩desires of the body, a part so near in Nature, so dear by Affection, and so apt to resent an injury? And since 'tis most evident that sensitive Creatures always with the utmost of their force defend their Beings, from whence is it that the rational Soul in some cases against the strongest recoil and reluctance of Nature, exposes the body to Death? If it depended on the body for subsistence it would use all means to preserve it. Upon the sight of contrary motions in an engine we conclude they are caused by diverse springs, and can such opposite desires in Man proceed from the same principle?
2. THe acts of the Will that imperial faculty, prove it to be of a higher order of substance ⟨p. 171⟩than the sensitive Soul. The Brutes are acted by pure necessity; their powers are moved and determined by the external application of objects. 'Tis visible that all kinds of sensitive Creatures in all times, are carried in the same manner by the potent sway of Nature towards things sutable to their corporeal faculties. But the rational Will is a principle of free election, that controuls the lower appetite, by restraining from the most pleasant and powerful allurements, and choosing sometimes the most distastful things to sense. Now from whence arises this contention? If the rational Will be not of a higher nature than the sensual appetite, why does it not consent with its inclinations? How comes the Soul to mortifie the most vehement