_MADAM,_
Although I mentioned in my last, that it is impossible to have an Idea
of God, yet your _Author_ is pleased to say,[1] That _he will not stick
to affirm, that the Idea or notion of God is as easie, as any notion
else whatsoever, and that we may know as much of him as of any thing
else in the world_. To which I answer, That in my opinion, God is not
so easily to be known by any creature, as man may know himself; nor
his attributes so well, as man can know his own natural proprieties:
for Gods Infinite attributes are not conceivable, and cannot be
comprehended by a finite knowledg and understanding, as a finite part
of nature; for though nature's parts may be Infinite in number, and as
they have a relation to the Infinite whole, if I may call it so, which
is Infinite nature, yet no part is infinite in it self, and therefore
it cannot know so much as whole nature: and God being an Infinite
Deity, there is required an Infinite capacity to conceive him; nay,
Nature her self although Infinite, yet cannot possibly have an exact
notion of God, by reason of the disparity between God and her self; and
therefore it is not probable, if the Infinite servant of God is not
able to conceive him, that a finite part or creature of nature, of what
kind or sort soever, whether Spiritual, as your _Author_ is pleased to
name it, or Corporeal, should comprehend God. Concerning my belief of
God, I submit wholly to the Church, and believe as I have bin informed
out of the _Athanasian_ Creed, that the Father is Incomprehensible,
the Sonne Incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost Incomprehensible; and
that there are not three, but one Incomprehensible God; Wherefore if
any man can prove (as I do verily believe he cannot) that God is not
Incomprehensible, he must of necessity be more knowing then the whole
Church, however he must needs dissent from the Church. But perchance
your _Author_ may say, I raise new and prejudicial opinions, in saying
that matter is eternal. I answer, The Holy Writ doth not mention Matter
to be created, but onely Particular Creatures, as this Visible World,
with all its Parts, as the history or description of the Creation of
the World in _Genesis_ plainly shews; For _God said, Let it be Light,
and there was Light; Let there be a Firmament in the midst of the
Waters, and let it divide the Waters from the Waters; and Let the
Waters under the Heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let
the dry Land appear; and let the Earth bring forth Grass, the Herb
yielding Seed, and the Fruit-tree yielding Fruit after his kind; and
let there be Lights in the Firmament of the Heaven, to divide the Day
from the Night,_ &c. Which proves, that all creatures and figures
were made and produced out of that rude and desolate heap or chaos
which the Scripture mentions, which is nothing else but matter, by the
powerful Word and Command of God, executed by his Eternal Servant,
Nature; as I have heretofore declared it in a Letter I sent you in the
beginning concerning Infinite Nature. But least I seem to encroach
too much upon Divinity, I submit this Interpretation to the Church;
However, I think it not against the ground of our Faith; for I am so
far from maintaining any thing either against Church or State, as I am
submitting to both in all duty, and shall do so as long as I live, and
rest,
Madam,
_Your Faithful Friend_
_and Servant._
[1] _Of the Immortality of the Soul, pt._ 1., _c._ 4.