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

§ 3. This is the Fruit of Sin, and Nature would not have it so: I mean the Nature of this compound MAN: But what though it be so? 1. It is but my Shell or Tabernacle, & the clothing of my Soul, and not it self. 2. It is but an elementary Composition dissolved; and Earth going to Earth, and Water to Water, and Air to Air, and Fire to Fire, into that Union which the elementary Nature doth incline to.

§ 3. This is the Fruit of Sin, and Nature would not have it so: I mean the Nature of this compound MAN: But what though it be so? 1. It is but my Shell or Tabernacle, & the cloathing of my Soul, and not it self. 2. It is but an elementary Composition dissolved; and Earth going to Earth, and Water to Water, and Air to Air, and Fire to Fire, into that Union which the elementary Nature doth incline to.

3. It is but an Instrument laid by when all its work is done, and a Servant dismissed when his Service is at an end. And what should I do with a Horse when I shall need to ride or travel no more, or with a Pen when I must write no more? It is but the laying by the Passive receiver of my Souls Operations, when the Soul hath no more to do upon it: As I cast by my Lute or other instrument when I have better employment than Music to take up my time!

3. It is but an Instrument laid by when all its work is done, and a Servant dismissed when his Service is at an end. And what should I do with a Horse when I shall need to ride or travel no more, or with a Pen when I must write no more? It is but the laying by the Passive receiver of my Souls Operations, when the Soul hath no more to do upon it: As I cast by my Lute or other instrument when I have better employment than Musick to take up my time!

4. Or at most it is but as Flowers die in the fall, and Plants in Winter, when the retiring Spirits have done their work, and are undisposed to dwell in so cold and