_MADAM,_
I perceive you do not well apprehend my meaning, when I say in my
_Philosophical Opinions,_[1] _That the Infinite degrees of Infinite
Matter are all Infinite:_ For, say you, the degrees of Matter cannot
be Infinite, by reason there cannot be two Infinites, but one would
obstruct the other. My answer is; I do not mean that the degrees of
Matter are Infinite each in its self, that is, that the animate and
inanimate are several Infinite matters, but my opinion is, that the
animate degree of matter is in a perpetual motion, and the inanimate
doth not move of it self, and that those degrees are infinite in their
effects, as producing and making infinite figures; for since the cause,
which is the onely matter, is infinite, the effects must of necessity
be infinite also; the cause is infinite in its substance, the effects
are Infinite in number. And this is my meaning, when I say,[2] that,
although in Nature there is but one kind of matter, yet there are
Infinite degrees, Infinite motions, and Infinite parts in that onely
matter; and though Infinite and Eternal matter has no perfect or exact
figure, by reason it is Infinite, and therefore unlimited, yet there
being infinite parts in number, made by the infinite variations of
motions in infinite Matter, these parts have perfect or exact figures,
considered as parts, that is, single, or each in its particular figure:
And therefore if there be Infinite degrees, considering the effects
of the animate and inanimate matter, infinite motions for changes,
infinite parts for number, infinite compositions and divisions for
variety and diversity of Creatures; then there may also be infinite
sizes, each part or figure differing more or less, infinite smallness
and bigness, lightness and heaviness, rarity and density, strength and
power, life and knowledg, and the like: But by reason Nature or Natural
matter is not all animate or inanimate, nor all composing or dividing,
there can be no Infinite in a part, nor can there be something biggest
or smallest, strongest or weakest, heaviest or lightest, softest
or hardest in Infinite Nature, or her parts, but all those several
Infinites are as it were included in one Infinite, which is Corporeal
Nature, or Natural Matter.
Next, you desire my opinion of _Vacuum_, whether there be any, or not?
for you say I determine nothing, of it in my Book of _Philosophical
Opinions_. Truly, _Madam_, my sense and reason cannot believe a
_Vacuum_, because there cannot be an empty Nothing; but change of
motion makes all the alteration of figures, and consequently all that
which is called place, magnitude, space, and the like; for matter,
motion, figure, place, magnitude, &c. are but one thing. But some
men perceiving the alteration, but not the subtil motions, believe
that bodies move into each others place, which is impossible, because
several places are onely several parts, so that, unless one part could
make it self another part, no part can be said to succeed into anothers
place; but it is impossible that one part should make it self another
part, for it cannot be another, and it self, no more then Nature can be
Nature, and not Nature; wherefore change of place is onely change of
motion, and this change of motion makes alteration of Figures.
Thirdly, you say, You cannot understand what I mean by Creation, for
you think that Creation is a production or making of Something out of
Nothing. To tell you really, _Madam_, this word is used by me for want
of a better expression; and I do not take it in so strict a sense as
to understand by it, a Divine or supernatural Creation, which onely
belongs to God; but a natural Creation, that is, a natural production
or Generation; for Nature cannot create or produce Something out of
Nothing: And this Production may be taken in a double sence; First,
in General, as for example, when it is said, that all Creatures are
produced out of Infinite Matter; and in this respect every particular
Creature which is finite, that is, of a circumscribed and limited
figure, is produced of Infinite Matter, as being a part thereof: Next,
Production is taken in a more strict sense, to wit, when one single
Creature is produced from another; and this is either Generation
properly so called, as when in every kind and sort each particular
produces its like; or it is such a Generation whereby one creature
produces another, each being of a different kind or species, as
for example, when an Animal produces a Mineral, as when a Stone is
generated in the Kidneys, or the like; and in this sence one finite
creature generates or produces another finite creature, the producer
as well as the produced being finite; but in the first sence finite
creatures are produced out of infinite matter.
Fourthly, you confess, You cannot well apprehend my meaning, when I
say,[3] that the several kinds are as Infinite as the particulars; for
your opinion is, That the number of particulars must needs exceed the
number of kinds. I answer: I mean in general the Infinite effects of
Nature which are Infinite in number, and the several kinds or sorts of
Creatures are Infinite in duration, for nothing can perish in Nature.
Fifthly, When I say,[4] that ascending and descending is often caused
by the exterior figure or shape of a body; witness a Bird, who although
he is of a much bigger size and bulk then a Worm, yet can by his
shape lift himself up more agilly and nimbly then a Worm; Your opinion
is, That his exterior shape doth not contribute any thing towards his
flying, by reason a Bird being dead retains the same shape, but yet
cannot fly at all. But, truly, _Madam_, I would not have you think that
I do exclude the proper and interior natural motion of the figure of
a Bird, and the natural and proper motions of every part and particle
thereof; for that a Bird when dead, keeps his shape, and yet cannot
fly, the reason is, that the natural and internal motions of the Bird,
and the Birds wings, are altered towards some other shape or figure,
if not exteriously, yet interiously; but yet the interior natural
motions could not effect any flying or ascending without the help of
the exterior shape; for a Man, or any other animal, may have the same
interior motions as a Bird hath, but wanting such an exterior shape, he
cannot fly; whereas had he wings like a Bird, and the interior natural
motions of those wings, he might without doubt fly as well as a Bird
doth.
Sixthly, Concerning the descent of heavy bodies,[5] that it is more
forcible then the ascent of light bodies, you do question the Truth
of this my opinion. Certainly, _Madam_, I cannot conceive it to be
otherwise by my sense and reason; for though Fire that is rare, doth
ascend with an extraordinary quick motion, yet this motion is, in my
opinion, not so strong and piercing as when grosser parts of Creatures
do descend; but there is difference in strength and quickness; for had
not Water a stronger motion, and another sort of figure then Fire,
it could not suppress Fire, much less quench it. But Smoak, which is
heavier then Flame, flies up, or rises before, or rather, above it:
Wherefore I am still of the same opinion, that heavy bodies descend
more forcibly then light bodies do ascend, and it seems most rational
to me.
Lastly, I perceive you cannot believe that all bodies have weight;
by reason, if this were so, the Sun, and the Stars would have long
since cover'd the Earth. In answer to this objection, I say, That as
there can be no body without figure and magnitude, so consequently not
without weight, were it no bigger then an atome; and as for the Sun's
and the Stars not falling down, or rising higher, the reason is, not
their being without weight, but their natural and proper motion, which
keeps them constantly in their spheres; and it might as well be said, a
Man lives not, or is not, because he doth not fly like a Bird, or dive
and catch fish like a Cormorant, or dig and undermine like a Mole, for
those are motions not proper to his nature. And these, _Madam_, are my
answers to your objections, which if they do satisfie you, it is all
I desire, if not, I shall endeavour hereafter to make my meaning more
intelligible and study for other more rational arguments then these
are, to let you see how much I value both the credit of my named Book,
and your _Ladiships_ Commands; which assure you self, shall never be
more faithfully performed, then by,
Madam,
_Your Ladiships most obliged Friend_
_and humble Servant._
[1] _Part._ 1. _c._ 4.
[2] _Ch._ 8.
[3] _Part._ 4. _c._ 10.
[4] _Ch._ 20.
[5] _Ch._ 21.