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

And if any of all these uncertain Opinions should prove true, the Objections in hand will find no place. (To say nothing of their conceit who say, that as the Spirit that retireth from the falling Leaves in Autumn▪ continueth to animate the Tree, so Man's Soul may do when departed, with that to which it is United, to animate some more Noble universal Body:) But as all these are the too bold Cogitations of men that had better let unknown things alone, so yet they may be mentioned to refel that more perilous boldness, which denieth the Souls Action which is certain, upon (at best) uncertain Reasons.

And if any of all these uncertain Opinions should prove true, the Objections in hand will find no place. (To say nothing of their conceit who say, that as the Spirit that retireth from the falling Leaves in Autumn▪ continueth to animate the Tree, so Man's Soul may do when departed, with that to which it is United, to animate some more Noble universal Body:) But as all these are the too bold Cogitations of men that had better let unknown things alone, so yet they may be mentioned to refel that more perillous boldness, which denyeth the Souls Action which is certain, upon (at best) uncertain Reasons.

§ 18. I may boldly conclude notwithstanding such Objections, that Christ's Divine and Humane Nature, Soul and Body, shall be the felicitating Objects of Intuition and holy Love to the separated Soul before the Resurrection; and that to be with Christ, is to have such communion with him, and not only to be present where he is.

§ 19. 2. And the chief part of this communion will be that in which we are Receptive; even Christ's Communications to the Soul. And as the Infinite Incomprehensible Deity is the Root or first Cause of all Communication, Natural, Gracious and Glorious, to Being, Motion, Life, Rule, Reason, Holiness and Happiness; and the whole Creation is more dependant on God, than the Fruit on the Tree, or the Plants on the Earth, or the Members on the Body, (though yet they are not parts of the Deity, nor Deified, because the Communication is Creative;) so God useth Second Causes in his Communications to inferior Natures: and it is more than probable, that the Humane Soul of Christ primarily and his Body secondarily are the chief second cause of Influence and