Philosophical Letters: or, modest Reflections upon some Opinions in Natural PhilosophyNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Philosophy
Philosophical Letters: or, modest Reflections upon some Opinions in Natural Philosophy
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Newcastle, William Cavendish, Duke of, 1592-1676; Philosophy
hath its contrary or opposite, which doth hinder and obstruct it from
running actually into infinite. And thus I hope, you conceive cleerly
now, what my opinion is, and that I do not contradict my self in my
works, as some have falsly accused me, for they by misapprehending my
meaning, judge not according to the truth of my sense, but according
to their own false interpretation, which shews not onely a weakness in
their understandings and passions, but a great injustice and injury
to me, which I desire you to vindicate when ever you chance to hear
such accusations and blemishes laid upon my works, by which you will
Infinitely oblige,
Madam,
_Your humble and faithful Servant._
Sect. II.
I.
_MADAM,_
Being come now to the Perusal of the Works of that learned _Author_ Dr.
_Moor_, I find that the onely design of his Book called _Antidote_, is
_to prove the Existence_ of a God, and to refute, or rather convert
Atheists; which I wonder very much at, considering, he says himself,[1]
That _there is no man under the cope of Heaven but believes a God_;
which if so, what needs there to make so many arguments to no purpose?
unless it be to shew Learning and wit; In my opinion, it were better
to convert Pagans to be Christians, or to reform irregular Christians
to a more pious life, then to prove that, which all men believe, which
is the way to bring it into question. For certainly, according to the
natural Light of Reason, there is a God, and no man, I believe, doth
doubt it; for though there may be many vain words, yet I think there
is no such atheistical belief amongst man-kind, nay, not onely amongst
men, but also, amongst all other creatures, for if nature believes
a God, all her parts, especially the sensitive and rational, which
are the living and knowing parts, and are in all natural creatures,
do the like, and therefore all parts and creatures in nature do adore
and worship God, for any thing man can know to the contrary; for no
question, but natures soule adores and worships God as well as man's
soule; and why may not God be worshipped by all sorts and kinds of
creatures as well, as by one kind or sort? I will not say the same way,
but I believe there is a general worship and adoration of God; for as
God is an Infinite Deity, so certainly he has an Infinite Worship and
Adoration, and there is not any part of nature, but adores and worships
the only omnipotent God, to whom belongs Praise and Glory from and to
all eternity: For it is very improbable, that God should be worshipped
onely in part, and not in whole, and that all creatures were made to
obey man, and not to worship God, onely for man's sake, and not for
God's worship, for man's use, and not God's adoration, for mans spoil
and not God's blessing. But this Presumption, Pride, Vain-glory and
Ambition of man, proceeds from the irregularity of nature, who being a
servant, is apt to commit errors; and cannot be so absolute and exact
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