1fore the better to expreſs my ſelf I ſay, that as to the truth, of
which Mathematical demonſtrations give us the knowledge, it is
the ſame, which the divine wiſdom knoweth; but this I muſt grant
you, that the manner whereby God knoweth the infinite
ſitions, of which we underſtand ſome few, is highly more excellent
than ours, which proceedeth by ratiocination, and paſſeth from
cluſion to concluſion, whereas his is done at one ſingle thought or
intuition; and whereas we, for example, to attain the knowledg
of ſome paſſion of the Circle, which hath infinite, beginning
from one of the moſt ſimple, and taking that for its definition,
do proceed with argumentation to another, and from that to a
third, and then to a fourth, &c. the Divine Wiſdom, by the
apprehenſion of its eſſence comprehends, without temporary
ocination, all theſe infinite paſſions; which notwithſtanding, are
in effect virtually compriſed in the definitions of all things; and, to
conclude, as being infinite, perhaps are but one alone in their nature,
and in the Divine Mind; the which neither is wholly unknown to
humane underſtanding, but onely be-clouded with thick and
groſſe miſts; which come in part to be diſſipated and clarified,
when we are made Maſters of any concluſions, firmly
ſtrated, and ſo perfectly made ours, as that we can ſpeedily run
through them; for in ſum, what other, is that propoſition, that
the ſquare of the ſide ſubtending the right angle in any triangle,
is equal to the ſquares of the other two, which include it, but
onely the Paralellograms being upon common baſes, and between
parallels equal amongſt themſelves? and this, laſtly, is it not the
ſame, as to ſay that thoſe two ſuperficies are equal, of which
equal parts applyed to equal parts, poſſeſſe equal place? Now
theſe inferences, which our intellect apprehendeth with time and a
gradual motion, the Divine Wiſdom, like light, penetrateth in
an inſtant, which is the ſame as to ſay, hath them alwayes
ſent: I conclude therefore, that our underſtanding, both as to
the manner and the multitude of the things comprehended by us,
is infinitely ſurpaſt by the Divine Wiſdom; but yet I do not ſo
vilifie it, as to repute it abſolutely nothing; yea rather, when I
conſider how many and how great miſteries men have underſtood,
diſcovered, and contrived, I very plainly know and underſtand
the mind of man to be one of the works, yea one of the moſt
cellent works of God.
which Mathematical demonſtrations give us the knowledge, it is
the ſame, which the divine wiſdom knoweth; but this I muſt grant
you, that the manner whereby God knoweth the infinite
ſitions, of which we underſtand ſome few, is highly more excellent
than ours, which proceedeth by ratiocination, and paſſeth from
cluſion to concluſion, whereas his is done at one ſingle thought or
intuition; and whereas we, for example, to attain the knowledg
of ſome paſſion of the Circle, which hath infinite, beginning
from one of the moſt ſimple, and taking that for its definition,
do proceed with argumentation to another, and from that to a
third, and then to a fourth, &c. the Divine Wiſdom, by the
apprehenſion of its eſſence comprehends, without temporary
ocination, all theſe infinite paſſions; which notwithſtanding, are
in effect virtually compriſed in the definitions of all things; and, to
conclude, as being infinite, perhaps are but one alone in their nature,
and in the Divine Mind; the which neither is wholly unknown to
humane underſtanding, but onely be-clouded with thick and
groſſe miſts; which come in part to be diſſipated and clarified,
when we are made Maſters of any concluſions, firmly
ſtrated, and ſo perfectly made ours, as that we can ſpeedily run
through them; for in ſum, what other, is that propoſition, that
the ſquare of the ſide ſubtending the right angle in any triangle,
is equal to the ſquares of the other two, which include it, but
onely the Paralellograms being upon common baſes, and between
parallels equal amongſt themſelves? and this, laſtly, is it not the
ſame, as to ſay that thoſe two ſuperficies are equal, of which
equal parts applyed to equal parts, poſſeſſe equal place? Now
theſe inferences, which our intellect apprehendeth with time and a
gradual motion, the Divine Wiſdom, like light, penetrateth in
an inſtant, which is the ſame as to ſay, hath them alwayes
ſent: I conclude therefore, that our underſtanding, both as to
the manner and the multitude of the things comprehended by us,
is infinitely ſurpaſt by the Divine Wiſdom; but yet I do not ſo
vilifie it, as to repute it abſolutely nothing; yea rather, when I
conſider how many and how great miſteries men have underſtood,
diſcovered, and contrived, I very plainly know and underſtand
the mind of man to be one of the works, yea one of the moſt
cellent works of God.
The diſcourſes
which humane
reaſon makes in a
certain time, the
Divine Wiſdom
ſolveth in a
ment; that is, hath
them alwayes
ſent.
which humane
reaſon makes in a
certain time, the
Divine Wiſdom
ſolveth in a
ment; that is, hath
them alwayes
ſent.
SAGR. I have oft times conſidered with my ſelf, in purſuance
of that which you ſpeak of, how great the wit of man is; and
whil'ſt I run thorow ſuch and ſo many admirable inventions found
out by him, as well in the Arts, as Sciences; and again reflecting
upon my own wit, ſo far from promiſing me the diſcovery of any
thing new, that I deſpair of comprehending what is already
of that which you ſpeak of, how great the wit of man is; and
whil'ſt I run thorow ſuch and ſo many admirable inventions found
out by him, as well in the Arts, as Sciences; and again reflecting
upon my own wit, ſo far from promiſing me the diſcovery of any
thing new, that I deſpair of comprehending what is already