_MADAM,_
Since in my former Letters I have discoursed of Immaterial Spirits,
and declared my meaning, that I do not believe them to be natural
Creatures, or parts of Nature; you are of opinion, as if I did
contradict my self, by reason that in the first Edition of my Book
called _Philosophical Opinions_, I name the rational and sensitive
Matter, rational and sensitive Spirits. To which I answer, first,
That when I did write my first Conceptions in Natural Philosophy, I
was not so experienced, nor had I those observations which I have had
since; Neither did I give those first Conceptions time to digest, and
come to a maturity or perfect growth, but forced them forth as soon
as conceived, and this made the first publishing of them so full of
Imperfections, which I am much sorry for; But since that time, I have
not onely reviewed, but corrected and altered them in several places,
so that the last Impression of my _Philosophical Opinions_, you will
find more perfect and exact then the former. Next, I pray you to take
notice, _Madam_, that in the mentioned first Edition, by the word
Spirits, I meant Material, not Immaterial Spirits; for observing, that
Learned Men do discourse much of Animal Spirits, which are Material,
and that also high extracts in Chymistry are called Spirits; I used
that word purposely, thinking it most proper and convenient to express
my sense and meaning of that degree of matter which I call rational and
sensitive. But considering again, that my opinions, being new, would
be subject to misapprehensions and mis-interpretations; to prevent
those, I thought it fitter to leave out the word _Spirits_ in the
second, as also in the last Edition of my named Book of _Philosophy_,
lest my Readers should think I meant Immaterial Spirits; for I confess
really, that I never understood, nor cannot as yet apprehend Immaterial
Spirits; for though I believe the Scripture, and the Church, that
there are Spirits, and do not doubt the existency of them, yet I
cannot conceive the nature of Immaterial Spirits, and what they are;
Wherefore I do onely treat of natural material substances, and not
of incorporeal; also my discourse is of the Infinite servant of the
Infinite God, which servant is corporeal or material Nature: God is
onely to be admired, adored, and worshipped; but not ungloriously
to be discoursed of; Which Omnipotent God, I pray of his Infinite
Mercy to give me Faith to believe in him, and not to let presumption
prevail with me so, as to liken vain and idle conceptions to that
Incomprehensible Deity. These, _Madam_, are my humble Prayers to God;
and my request to you is, that I may continue the same in your love and
affection, which I have been hitherto; so shall I live content, and
rest,
Madam,
_Your faithful Friend_
_and Servant._