A26976:295
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
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.
II. If you act these, it is certain that you have the power of so acting. For nothing doth that which it cannot do.
III. It is certain, that it is a Substance which hath this power: For nothing can do nothing.
IV. It is evident, that it is not the visible Body, as composed of Earth, Water and Air, which is this mental Substance. Neither any one of them, nor all together have Life, Understanding, or Will. They are passive Beings, and act not at all of themselves, but as acted by invisible Powers. They have an aggregative inclination to Union, and no other. Were it not for the Igneous Nature which is active, or for Spirits, they would be cessant. Therefore you are thus far past the dark, That there is in man an Invisible Substance, which hath, yea, which is a Power or Virtue of Vital Action, Intellection, and Volition.
IV. It is evident, that it is not the visible Body, as composed of Earth, Water and Air, which is this mental Substance. Neither any one of them, nor all together have Life, Understanding, or Will. They are passive Beings, and act not at all of themselves, but as acted by invisible Powers. They have an aggregative inclination to U•ion, and no other. Were it not for the Igneous Nature which is active, or for Spirits, they would be cessant. Therefore you are thus far past the dark, That there is in man an Invisible Substance, which hath, yea, which is a Power or Virtue of Vital Action, Intellection, and Volition.