_MADAM,_
Your _Author_ is not a Natural, but a Divine Philosopher, for in
many places he undertakes to interpret the Scripture; wherein, to my
judgment, he expresseth very strange opinions; you will give me leave
at this present to note some few. First, in one place,[1] interpreting
that passage of Scripture, where it is said,[2] That the _sons of God
took to wives the daughters of men_: He understands by the Sons of
God, those which came from the Posterity of _Adam_, begotten of a Man
and a Woman, having the true Image of God: But by the Daughters of
Men, he understands Monsters; that is, those which through the Devils
mediation, were conceived in the womb of a Junior Witch or Sorceress:
For when Satan could find no other ways to deprive all the race of
Men of the Image of God, and extinguish the Immortal mind out of the
flock of _Adams_ Posterity, he stirr'd up detestable copulations,
from whence proceeded savage Monsters, as Faunes, Satyrs, Sylphs,
Gnomes, Nymphs, Driades, Najades, Nereides, &c. which generated their
off-springs amongst themselves, and their posterities again contracted
their copulations amongst themselves, and at length began Wedlocks with
Men; and from this copulation of Monsters and Nymphs, they generated
strong Gyants. Which Interpretation, how it agrees with the Truth of
Scripture, I will leave to Divines to judg: But, for my part, I cannot
conceive, how, or by what means or ways, those Monsters and Nymphs were
produced or generated. Next, his opinion is, That _Adam_ did ravish
_Eve_, and defloured her by force, calling him the first infringer of
modesty, and deflourer of a Virgin; and that therefore God let hair
grow upon his chin, cheeks, and lips, that he might be a Compere,
Companion, and like unto many four-footed Beasts, and might bear before
him the signature of the same; and that, as he was lecherous after
their manner, he might also shew a rough countenance by his hairs;
which whether it be so, or not, I cannot tell, neither do I think your
_Author_ can certainly know it himself; for the Scripture makes no
mention of it: But this I dare say, that _Eves_ Daughters prove rather
the contrary, _viz._ that their Grandmother did freely consent to their
Grandfather. Also he says, That God had purposed to generate Man by
the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, but Man perverted the Intent of
God; for had _Adam_ not sinned, there had been no generation by the
copulation of a Man and Woman, but all the off-springs had appear'd
out of _Eve_, a Virgin, from the Holy Spirit, as conceived from God,
and born of a woman, a virgin, To which, I answer, first, That it is
impossible to know the Designs and secret purposes of God: Next, to
make the Holy Spirit the common Generator of all Man-kind, is more
then the Scripture expresses, and any man ought to say: Lastly, it is
absurd, in my opinion, to say, that frail and mortal Men, can pervert
the intent and designs of the Great God; or that the Devil is able to
prevent God's Intent, (as his expression is in the same place.) But
your _Author_ shews a great affection to the Female Sex, when he says,
that God doth love Women before Men, and that he has given them a
free gift of devotion before men; when as others do lay all the fault
upon the Woman, that she did seduce the Man; however in expressing
his affection for Women, your _Author_ expresses a partiality in God.
And, as for his opinion, that God creates more Daughters then Males,
and that more Males are extinguished by Diseases, Travels, Wars,
Duels, Shipwracks, and the like: Truly, I am of the same mind, that
more Men are kill'd by Travels, Wars, Duels, Shipwracks, &c. then
Women; for Women never undergo these dangers, neither do so many kill
themselves with intemperate Drinking, as Men do; but yet I believe,
that Death is as general, and not more favourable to Women, then he
is to Men; for though Women be not slain in Wars like Men, (although
many are, by the cruelty of Men, who not regarding the weakness of
their sex, do inhumanely kill them,) yet many do die in Child-bed,
which is a Punishment onely concerning the Female sex. But to go on
in your _Authors_ Interpretations: His knowledg of the Conception of
the Blessed Virgin, reaches so far, as he doth not stick to describe
exactly, not onely how the blessed Virgin conceiv'd in the womb, but
first in the heart, or the sheath of the heart; and then how the
conception removed from the heart, into the womb, and in what manner
it was performed. Certainly, _Madam_, I am amazed, when I see men so
conceited with their own perfections and abilities, (I may rather
say, with their imperfections and weaknesses) as to make themselves
God's privy Councilors, and his Companions, and partakers of all the
sacred Mysteries, Designs, and hidden secrets of the Incomprehensible
and Infinite God. O the vain Presumption, Pride, and Ambition of
wretched Men! There are many more such expressions in your _Authors_
works, which, in my opinion, do rather detract from the Greatness of
the Omnipotent God, then manifest his Glory: As for example; That Man
is the clothing of the Deity, and the sheath of the Kingdom of God,
and many the like: which do not belong to God; for God is beyond all
expression, because he is Infinite; and when we name God, we name an
Unexpressible, and Incomprehensible Being; and yet we think we honour
God, when we express him after the manner of corporeal Creatures.
Surely, the noblest Creature that ever is in the World, is not able
to be compared to the most Glorious God, but whatsoever comparison is
made, detracts from his Glory: And this, in my opinion, is the reason,
that God forbad any likeness to be made of him, either in Heaven, or
upon Earth, because he exceeds all that we might compare or liken to
him. And as men ought to have a care of such similizing expressions, so
they ought to be careful in making Interpretations of the Scripture,
and expressing more then the Scripture informs; for what is beyond the
Scripture, is Man's own fancy; and to regulate the Word of God after
Man's fancy, at least to make his fancy equal with the Word of God,
is Irreligious. Wherefore, men ought to submit, and not to pretend to
the knowledg of God's Counsels and Designs, above what he himself hath
been pleased to reveal: as for example, to describe of what Figure
God is, and to comment and descant upon the Articles of Faith; as
how Man was Created; and what he did in the state of Innocence; how
he did fall; and what he did after his fall: and so upon the rest of
the Articles of our Creed, more then the Scripture expresses, or is
conformable to it. For if we do this, we shall make a Romance of the
holy Scripture, with our Paraphrastical descriptions: which alas! is
too common already. The truth is, Natural Philosophers, should onely
contain themselves within the sphere of Nature, and not trespass upon
the Revelation of the Scripture, but leave this Profession to those to
whom it properly belongs. I am confident, a Physician, or any other man
of a certain Profession, would not take it well, if others, who are not
professed in that Art, should take upon them to practise the same:
And I do wonder, why every body is so forward to encroach upon the
holy Profession of Divines, which yet is a greater presumption, then
if they did it upon any other; for it contains not onely a most hidden
and mystical knowledg, as treating of the Highest Subject, which is
the most Glorious, and Incomprehensible God, and the salvation of our
Souls; but it is also most dangerous, if not interpreted according to
the Holy Spirit, but to the byass of man's fancy. Wherefore, _Madam_, I
am afraid to meddle with Divinity in the least thing, lest I incur the
hazard of offending the divine Truth, and spoil the excellent Art of
Philosophying; for a Philosophical Liberty, and a Supernatural Faith,
are two different things, and suffer no co-mixture; as I have declared
sufficiently heretofore. And this you will find as much truth, as that
I am,
Madam,
_Your constant Friend,_
_and faithful Servant._
[1] _Ch._ The Position is demonstrated.
[2] _Gen._ 6. 2.