A26921:121
Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and…
Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and the latter times of his corporal pains and weakness.
London: printed by Tho. Snowden for B. Simmons, 1683
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
But if they could prove that we are so now, we should quickly prove to them, 1. That then God hath material divisible parts (as the Stoics thought.) 2. And that we are no such parts, as are not distinct from one another; but some are tormented, and some happy. And 3. That (as is said) it will be no abatement of the misery of the tormented, nor of the felicity of the blessed, to tell them that they are all parts of God: For, though the manner of our Union with him, and dependence on him, be past our comprehension, yet that we are distinct and distant from each other, and have each one a joy or misery of his own, is past all doubt. Therefore there is no Union with God to be feared by holy Souls, but the utmost possible to be highliest desired.
But if they could prove that we are so now, we should quickly prove to them, 1. That then God hath material divisible parts (as the Stoicks thought.) 2. And that we are no such parts, as are not distinct from one another; but some are tormented, and some happy. And 3. That (as is said) it will be no abatement of the misery of the tormented, nor of the felicity of the blessed, to tell them that they are all parts of God: For, though the manner of our Union with him, and dependance on him, be past our comprehension, yet that we are distinct and distant from each other, and have each one a joy or misery of his own, is past all doubt. Therefore there is no Union with God to be feared by holy Souls, but the utmost possible to be highliest desired.
§ 46. And if our Union with God shall not cease our Individuation, or resolve us into a Principle to be feared, we may say so also of our Union with any common Soul, or many: If we be Unible, we are Partible, and so have a distinct, though not a divided substance, which will have its proper Accidents. All Plants are parts of the Earth, really united to it, and radicated in it, and live, and are nourished by it: And yet a Vine is a Vine, and an Apple is an Apple, and a Rose is a Rose, ⟨p. 28⟩and a Nettle is a Nettle. And few men would be toiled Horses or Toads, if it were proved that they are animated by a common Soul.