_MADAM,_
Since I spake in my last of the adoration and worship of God, you
would faine know, whether we can have an Idea of God? I answer, That
naturally we may, and really have a knowledge of the existence of
God, as I proved in my former letter, to wit, that there is a God,
and, that he is the _Author_ of all things, who rules and governs all
things, and is also the God of Nature: but I dare not think, that
naturally we can have an Idea of the essence of God, so as to know what
God is in his very nature and essence; for how can there be a finite
Idea of an Infinite God? You may say, As well as of Infinite space. I
answer, Space is relative, or has respect to body, but there is not
any thing that can be compared to God; for the Idea of Infinite nature
is material, as being a material creature of Infinite material Nature.
You will say, How can a finite part have an Idea of infinite nature? I
answer, Very well, by reason the Idea is part of Infinite Nature, and
so of the same kind, as material; but God being an Eternal, Infinite,
Immaterial, Individable Being, no natural creature can have an Idea of
him. You will say, That the Idea of God in the mind is immaterial; I
answer, I cannot conceive, that there can be any immaterial Idea in
nature; but be it granted, yet that Immaterial is not a part of God,
for God is individable, and hath no parts; wherefore the Mind cannot
have an Idea of God, as it hath of Infinite nature, being a part of
nature; for the Idea of God cannot be of the essence of God, as the
Idea of nature is a corporeal part of nature: and though nature may be
known in some parts, yet God being Incomprehensible, his Essence can by
no wayes or means be naturally known; and this is constantly believed,
by
Madam,
_Your faithful Friend,_
_and Servant._