Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and…

Ans. It would not equal them at all, any more than distinct Personality would do: For, 1. The Souls of all holy Persons may be so united, as that the Souls of the wicked shall have no part in that Union. Whether the Souls of the wicked shall be united in one sinful miserable Soul, or rather but in one sinful Society, or be greatlier separate disunited, contrary to each other, and militant, as part of their sin and misery, is nothing to this case. 2. Yet Natural and Moral Union must be differenced. God is the Root of Nature to the worst, ⟨p. 31⟩and however in one sense it is said, that There is nothing in God but God, yet it is true, that, In Him all Live, and Move, and have their Being. But yet the wickeds Inbeing in God, doth afford them no Sanctifying and Beatifying communion with him, as experience showeth us in this life; which yet holy Souls have, as being made capable Recipients of it. As I said, different Plants, Briars and Cedars, the stinking and the sweet are implanted parts (or Accidents) of the same World or Earth. 3. And the godly themselves may have as different a share of happiness in one common Soul, as they have now of Holiness, and so as different Rewards (even as Roses, and Rosemary, and other Herbs differ in the same Garden, and several Fruits in the same Orchard, or on the same Tree.) For, if Souls are Unible, and so Partible Substances, they have neither more nor less of Substance or Holiness for their Union; and so will each have his proper measure. As a Tun of Water cast into the Sea, will there still be the same, and more than a spoonful cast into it.

Ans. It would not equal them at all, any more than distinct Personality would do: For, 1. The Souls of all holy Persons may be so united, as that the Souls of the wicked shall have no part in that Union. Whether the Souls of the wicked shall be united in one sinful miserable Soul, or rather but in one sinful Society, or be greatlier separate disunited, contrary to each other, and militant, as part of their sin and misery, is nothing to this case. 2. Yet Natural and Moral Union must be differenced. God is the Root of Nature to the worst, ⟨p. 31⟩and however in one sense it is said, that There is nothing in God but God, yet it is true, that, In Him all Live, and Move, and have their Being. But yet the wickeds Inbeing in God, doth afford them no Sanctifying and Beatifying communion with him, as experience sheweth us in this life; which yet holy Souls have, as being made capable Recipients of it. As I said, different Plants, Bryars and Cedars, the stinking and the sweet are implanted parts (or Accidents) of the same World or Earth. 3. And the godly themselves may have as different a share of happiness in one common Soul, as they have now of Holiness, and so as different Rewards (even as Roses, and Rosemary, and other Herbs differ in the same Garden, and several Fruits in the same Orchard, or on the same Tree.) For, if Souls are Unible, and so Partible Substances, they have neither more nor less of Substance or Holiness for their Union; and so will each have his proper measure. As a Tun of Water cast into the Sea, will there still be the same, and more than a spoonful cast into it.