Baker, Richard, Sir (c. 1568-1645)

A Soliloquy of the Soule: or, A Pillar of Thoughts.

London

Printed by T. Paine

1641

"As Lots wife was turned into a Pillar of Salt, that her inconstancie might be fixt, and yet be melting still: So, thou, my Soule, if I had my wish, shouldst be turned into a Pillar of Thoughts; that thy volubility might be restrain'd, and yet be thinking still."

As Lots wife was turned into a Pillar of Salt, that her inconstancie might be fixt, and yet be melting still: So, thou, my Soule, if I had my wish, shouldst be turned into a Pillar of Thoughts; that thy volubility might be restrain'd, and yet be thinking still. And of what then is it, I would have thee to thinke? Not of the miseries of the World, though there be cause enough; but, alas, this would be too sad a subject to thinke upon continually: Nor the Pleasures of the world, though this were like to have all mens voyces; but alas, they would scarce last so long to hold out the thinking: Nor yet of the world it self, though this would be a large field to walke in; but alas! not large enough for the swift Thoughts, that can run it over in an instant: No, my soule, but to think of God; for Hee onely is the cheerfull subject that can bee a comfort to thee, when thou art in greatest misery; Hee only the lasting object that can minister matter of meditation, when all vaine pleasures shall have their period; He only the large Field with varietie of walks, where they thoughts may bee walking everlastingly, and never come to end. [...]
(f. A-A2)

Uncategorized::Lot's Wife Architecture::Pillar Mineral::Salt

Reading in the Folger Shakespeare Library

Sir Richard Baker, A Soliloquy of the Soule: Or, a Pillar of Thoughts. With Reasons Proving the Immortality of the Soule (London: Printed by T. Paine, for Francis Eglesfield, 1641).

03/06/2012