A26888:39
The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls…
The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls of the malice and misery of the devils and the damned : and of the blessedness of the justified, fully evinced by the unquestionable histories of apparitions, operations, witchcrafts, voices &c. / written, as an addition to many other treatises for the conviction of Sadducees and infidels, by Richard Baxter.The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls of the malice and misery of the devils and the damned : and of the blessedness of the justified, fully evinced by the unquestionable histories of apparitions, operations, witchcrafts, voices &c. / written, as an addition to many other treatises for the conviction of Sadduces and infidels, by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst, 1691
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.
It is not impossible that wicked Souls may carry with them hence their filthy Inclinations, and Desire to use them. 13. It is plain that Devils and wicked Souls are not yet in the utmost of their Misery, but are reserved in Chains to the Judgment of the great Day of Christ: Such joking, and dallying, and whistling, as the Devil of Mascon, and many other used, show this. 14. It is clear, that whether you call it [in State, or Place,] (I think both,) the blessed Souls and Angels are far above these, in a higher World or Region, and no wonder if they appear more rarely to Men on Earth. 15. Yet Angels can be here, and do their Office for us, without such Descent as shall abate their Joy and ⟨p. 7⟩Glory; and why not blessed Souls too, if they shall be equal with Angels? The Sun can enlighten every Eye here, without losing its higher Residence. 16. When revengeful things are done, (as on Murderers, Defrauders, &c.) it seems to be from the revengeful Wrath of some bad Soul, especially when it is about Money or Lands, it seemeth to savour of the Worldly Mind: Yet it is uncertain whether it may not be from the Justice of God, and governing Angels, sending the Evil Spirits on such Errands. A Hawk and a Hound are fitter Messengers to destroy, than a Dove or a Lamb. 17. When a Genius showeth some Kindness to the Soul, (as his that I mentioned, that knocketh at his Bed's Head, and about him, after every time that he is drunk; and one that Bodin mentioneth, that was stricken when he said or did amiss,) it is uncertain to us, whether it be a good Angel, or the Soul of some former dear Friend, that procureth this Leave, to try to turn and save the Sinner: Or whether Christ and Angels force Satan to do it against his Will. 18. Though the unquenchable Fire which is to follow will show the utmost Severity of God's Justice, there is some signification of his Mercy to the Wicked, in suspending it so far, as to allow them such a Condition as many of these Apparitions signify by their Words and Deeds. 19. Yet here is nothing ⟨p. 8⟩to encourage their Opinion, that think such Souls or Demons are but in via, and have another Day of Hope, and Means to use, in possibility of Salvation: And though many are said to have begged of the Living for Masts and Prayers, it is liker to prove a Diabolical Cheat, to promote Superstition, than that there is a Purgatory-State of Hope. 20.