A Body of Divinity, Vol. 1 (of 4): Wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended, being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly's Larger CatechismRidgley, Thomas
Religion
A Body of Divinity, Vol. 1 (of 4): Wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended, being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly's Larger Catechism
consciousness, and because consciousness, without doubt, carries
identity and individuality along with it through all changes of form
or of visible qualities. In the most general case, that, as we have
said, of the derivation of plants and animals from one another, the
latent organization is either itself similar to the old organization,
or has the power of communicating to new matter the old organic form.
But it is not restricted to this rule. There are other cases,
especially in the progress of insect life, in which the dormant
organization does not much resemble that which incloses it, and still
less suits with the situation in which the inclosing body is placed,
but suits with a different situation to which it is destined. In the
larva of the libellula, which lives constantly, and has still long to
live, under water, are descried the wings of a fly, which two years
afterwards is to mount into the air. Is there nothing in this analogy?
It serves at least to shew, that, even in the observable course of
nature, organizations are formed one beneath another; and, amongst a
thousand other instances, it shews completely, that the Deity can
mould and fashion the parts of material nature, so as to fulfil any
purpose whatever which he is pleased to appoint.
“They who refer the operations of mind to a substance totally and
essentially different from matter, as, most certainly, these
operations, though affected by material causes, hold very little
affinity to any properties of matter with which we are acquainted,
adopt, perhaps, a juster reasoning and a better philosophy; and by
these the considerations above suggested are not wanted, at least in
the same degree. But to such as find, which some persons do find, an
insuperable difficulty in shaking off an adherence to those analogies,
which the corporeal world is continually suggesting to their thoughts;
to such, I say, every consideration will be a relief, which manifests
the extent of that intelligent power which is acting in nature, the
fruitfulness of its resources, the variety, and aptness, and success
of its means; most especially every consideration, which tends to
shew, that, in the translation of a conscious existence, there is not,
even in their own way of regarding it, any thing greatly beyond, or
totally unlike, what takes place in such parts (probably small parts)
of the order of nature, as are accessible to our observation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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