_MADAM,_
You thought verily, I had mistaken my self in my last, concerning the
Rational Souls of every particular Creature, because I said, all
Creatures had numerous Souls; and not onely so, but every particular
Creature had numerous Souls. Truly, _Madam_, I did not mistake my self,
for I am of the same opinion still; for though there is but one Soul
in infinite Nature, yet that soul being dividable into parts, every
part is a soul in every single creature, were the parts no bigger
in quantity then an atome. But you ask whether Nature hath Infinite
souls? I answer: That Infinite Nature is but one Infinite body, divided
into Infinite parts, which we call Creatures; and therefore it may
as well be said, That Nature is composed of Infinite Creatures or
Parts, as she is divided into Infinite Creatures or Parts; for Nature
being Material, is dividable, and composable. The same may be said
of Nature's Soul, which is the Rational part of the onely infinite
Matter, as also of Nature's Life, which is the sensitive part of the
onely Infinite self-moving Matter; and of the Inanimate part of the
onely Infinite Matter, which I call the body for distinction sake,
as having no self-motion in its own nature, for Infinite Material
Nature hath an Infinite Material Soul, Life, and Body. But, _Madam_,
I desire you to observe what I said already, _viz._ that the parts
of Nature are as apt to divide, as to unite; for the chief actions
of Nature are to divide, and to unite; which division is the cause,
that it may well be said, every particular Creature hath numerous
souls; for every part of rational Matter is a particular Soul, and
every part of the sensitive Matter is a particular Life; all which,
mixed with the Inanimate Matter, though they be Infinite in parts, yet
they make but one Infinite whole, which is Infinite Nature; and thus
the Infinite division into Infinite parts is the cause, that every
particular Creature hath numerous Souls, and the transmigration of
parts from, and to parts, is the reason, that not any Creature can
challenge a single soul, or souls to it self; the same for life. But
most men are unwilling to believe, that Rational Souls are material,
and that this rational Matter is dividable in Nature; when as humane
sense and reason may well perceive, that Nature is active, and
full of variety; and action, and variety cannot be without motion,
division, and composition: but the reason that variety, division, and
composition, runs not into confusion, is, that first there is but
one kind of Matter; next, that the division and composition of parts
doth ballance each other into a union in the whole. But, to conclude,
those Creatures which have their rational parts most united, are the
wisest; and those that have their rational parts most divided, are the
wittiest; and those that have much of this rational matter, are much
knowing; and those which have less of this rational matter, are less
knowing; and there is no Creature that hath not some; for like as all
the parts of a humane body are indued with life, and soul; so are all
the parts of Infinite Nature; and though some parts of Matter are not
animate in themselves, yet there is no part that is not mixt with the
animate matter; so that all parts of Nature are moving, and moved.
And thus, hoping I have cleared my self in this point, to your better
understanding, I take my leave, and rest,
Madam,
_Your faithful Friend_
_and Servant._