A26976:152
Of the immortality of mans soul, and the nature of it and other spirits.…
Of the immortality of mans soul, and the nature of it and other spirits. Two discourses, one in a letter to an unknown doubter, the other in a reply to Dr. Henry Moore's Animadversions on a private letter to him, which he published in his second edition of Mr. Joseph Glanvil's Sadducismus triumphatus, or, History of apparitions by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for B. Simons, 1682
OF THE NATURE OF SPIRITS: › Section 14-16: Ad SECT. XIV, XV, XVI.
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.
§ 6. Ad 15. Sect. I pretend not to have such an Idea of Spiritual Substance, as to denominate its consistence more fitly than by Purity, a word which you also use, yet not denying your several Attributes.
§ 6. Ad 15. Sect. I pretend not to have such an Idaea of Spiritual Substance, as to denominate its consistence more fitly than by Purity, a word which you also use, yet not denying your several Attributes.
§ 7. As to your Doctrine of Atoms, I think no wise man dare say that God made matter first in divided Atoms, and after set them together. But that God is able to divide all matter into Atoms or indivisible parts I doubt not. The Virtus Formalis of Spirits (and so some qualities) consist not of Atoms: But how far God can divide the ample Substance of them, I only tell you, that I know not; and to pretend to know it would be none of my Wisdom. Your Attributes of amplitude, quantity, ⟨p. 66⟩dimensions, imply that God made some Spirits bigger in amplitude than others, as well as Virtutis sortioris. You think I suppose that which you call the Spirit of the World, or Nature, bigger in amplitude than the Spirit of a Wren.
§ 7. As to your Doctrine of Atomes, I think no wise man dare say that God made matter first in divided Atomes, and after set them together. But that God is able to divide all matter into Atomes or indivisible parts I doubt not. The Virtus Formalis of Spirits (and so some qualities) consist not of Atomes: But how far God can divide the ample Substance of them, I only tell you, that I know not; and to pretend to know it would be none of my Wisdom. Your Attributes of amplitude, quantity, ⟨p. 66⟩dimensions, imply that God made some Spirits bigger in amplitude than others, as well as Virtutis sortioris. You think I suppose that which you call the Spirit of the World, or Nature, bigger in amplitude than the Spirit of a Wren.