XVII.

_MADAM,_

Outward Objects, as I have told you before, do not make Sense and

Reason, but Sense and Reason do perceive and judg of outward objects;

For the Sun doth not make sight, nor doth sight make light; but sense

and reason in a Man, or any other creature, do perceive and know there

are such objects as Sun, and Light, or whatsoever objects are presented

to them. Neither doth Dumbness, Deafness, Blindness, &c. cause an

Insensibility, but Sense through irregular actions causes them; I

say, through Irregular actions, because those effects do not properly

belong to the nature of that kind of Creatures; for every Creature,

if regularly made, hath particular motions proper to its figure; for

natural Matters wisdom makes distinctions by her distinct corporeal

motions, giving every particular Creature their due Portion and

Proportion according to the nature of their figures, and to the rules

of her actions, but not to the rules of Arts, Mathematical Compasses,

Lines, Figures, and the like. And thus the Sun, Stars, Meteors, Air,

Fire, Water, Earth, Minerals, Vegetables and Animals, may all have

Sense and Reason, although it doth not move in one kind or sort of

Creatures, or in one particular, as in another: For the corporeal

motions differ not onely in kinds and sorts, but also in Particulars,

as is perceivable by human sense and reason; Which is the cause, that

Elements have elemental sense and knowledg, and Animals animal sense

and knowledg, and so of Vegetables, Minerals, and the like. Wherefore

the Sun and Stars may have as much sensitive and rational life and

knowledg as other Creatures, but such as is according to the nature

of their figures, and not animal, or vegetable, or mineral sense and

knowledg. And so leaving them, I rest,

Madam,

_Your faithful Friend_

_and Servant._

Philosophical Letters: or, modest Reflections upon some Opinions in Natural Philosophy · 第 70 / 169 题