A26976:393
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.
2. It is impossible there should be an Effect without a sufficient Cause.
But that a thing should be false which all knowing men of contrary Dispositions and Interests acknowledge to be true, would be an Effect without a Cause; for there is no Cause ⟨p. 65⟩in nature to effect it. It is impossible in nature that all men in England should agree to say, There was a King James, K. Edward, Q. Mary, or that these Statutes were made by them, if it were false. This is infallible Historical Testimony. It were not so strong if it were only by one Party, and not by Enemies also, or men of contrary Minds and Interests. And thus we know the History of the Gospel; and this Tradition is naturally infallible.
But that a thing should be false which all knowing men of contrary Dispositions and Interests acknowledg to be true, would be an Effect without a Cause; for there is no Cause ⟨p. 65⟩in nature to effect it. It is impossible in nature that all men in England should agree to say, There was a King James, K. Edward, Q. Mary, or that these Statutes were made by them, if it were false. This is infallible Historical Testimony. It were not so strong if it were only by one Party, and not by Enemies also, or men of contrary Minds and Interests. And thus we know the History of the Gospel; and this Tradition is naturally infallible.
II. But all the Testimony which dependeth on humane Acts, not necessary, but free, have but an uncertain moral humane Credibility. For so all men are Liars; i.e. fallible, and not fully to be trusted.