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

We dispute here whether the Aggregative Motion of separated parts (as in descensu gravium) be from a Motive Principle in the part, or by the Attraction of the whole, or by any external impulse. It is like that there is somewhat of all these: But sure the greatest cause is like to do most to the effect: The body of the Earth hath more power to attract a Clod or Stone, than the intrinsic Principle to move it downwards: But intrinsic Gravity is also necessary. The superior attractive Love and Loveliness must do more to draw up this mind to God, than my intrinsic Holiness to move it upward: But without this Holiness the Soul would not be capable of feeling that attractive influx. Every Grace cometh from God to fit and lead up my Soul ⟨p. 192⟩to God: Faith therefore believeth the heavenly state, and Love doth with some Delight desire it, and Hope gapeth after it, that I may at last attain it.

We dispute here whether the Aggregative Motion of separated parts (as in descensu gravium) be from a Motive Principle in the part, or by the Attraction of the whole, or by any external impulse. It is like that there is somewhat of all these: But sure the greatest cause is like to do most to the effect: The body of the Earth hath more power to attract a Cload or Stone, than the intrinsick Principle to move it downwards: But intrinsick Gravity is also necessary. The superior attractive Love and Loveliness must do more to draw up this mind to God, than my intrinsick Holiness to move it upward: But without this Holiness the Soul would not be capable of feeling that attractive influx. Every Grace cometh from God to fit and lead up my Soul ⟨p. 192⟩to God: Faith therefore believeth the heavenly state, and Love doth with some Delight desire it, and Hope gapeth after it, that I may at last attain it.

They that have plea•ed against Propriety, and would have all things common in this World, have forgotten that there is a Propriety in our present Egoity, and Natural Constitution, which rendereth some accidental Propriety necessary to us: Every Man hath his own bodily parts, and inherent accidents, and every Man must have his own Food, his own Place, Clothing and Acquisitions; his own Children, and therefore his own Wife, &c. But that the greatest Perfection is most for Community as far as Nature is capable of it, God would show us in making the first Receivers of the extraordinary pourings out of his Spirit, to sell all and voluntarily make all common, none saying, This or that is my own! which was not done by any constraining Law, but by the Law or Power of uniting Love: They were first all as of one Heart and Soul,