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
in Nature that is Infinite, so there can neither be any single Infinite
action. But as for Matter, Motion and Figure, those are Individable
and inseparable, and make but one body or substance; for it is as
impossible to divide them, as impossible it is to your _Author_ to
separate the essential proprieties, which he gives, from an Immortal
Spirit; And as Matter, Motion and Figure are inseparable; so is
likewise Matter, Space, Place and Duration; For Parts, Motion, Figure,
Place and Duration, are but one Infinite body; onely the Infinite parts
are the Infinite divisions of the Infinite body, and the Infinite
body is a composition of the Infinite parts; but figure, place and
body are all one, and so is time, and duration, except you will call
time the division of duration, and duration the composition of time;
but infinite time, and infinite duration is all one in Nature: and
thus Nature's Principal motions and actions are dividing, composing,
and disposing or ordering, according to her Natural wisdom, by the
Omnipotent God's leave and permission. Concerning the _Sun_, which your
_Author_ speaks of in the same place, and denies him to be a _Spectator
of our particular affairs upon Earth_; saying, there is no such divine
Principle in him, whereby he can do it. I will speak nothing again
it, nor for it; but I may say, that the Sun hath such a Principle as
other Creatures have, which is, that he has sensitive and rational
corporeal motions, as well as animals or other Creatures, although not
in the same manner, nor the same organs; and if he have sensitive and
rational motions, he may also have sensitive and rational knowledg or
perception, as well as man, or other animals and parts of Nature have,
for ought any body knows; for it is plain to humane sense and reason,
that all Creatures must needs have rational and sensitive knowledg,
because they have all sensitive and rational matter and motions. But
leaving the Sun for Astronomers to contemplate upon, I take my leave,
and rest,
Madam,
_Your faithful Friend,_
_and Servant._
[1] _In the Preface before the Imm. of the Soul._
[2] _Antid. Book._ 2. _c._ 4.
X.
_MADAM,_
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