two Bodies distanced from each other by Nothing, is meer Folly; because to this distance by Nothing would belong Extension, Divisibility, and Mensu∣rability, and it might be either nearer or farther off.
VI. Plurality of Worlds implies a Contra∣diction. However, if any one should question, whether there may not be another VVorld distinct from this. My Answer in short is, that they who hold a Plurality of VVorlds not to imply a Contradi∣ction, say, that supposing there were a VVorld distinct from this we live in, it might be placed in that Space which we imagine to be beyond the utmost Heavenly Sphere; but it is impossible that any Bodies should be there, seeing it is supposed to be Nothing, or something Imaginary only, and which consequently can have neither Parts nor Effects, and therefore cannot place any thing. For Place being nothing else, according to Ari∣stotle, but the Surface of the ambient Body, how shall we find a place there, where no Bodies, nor Surfaces are to be found?
VII. Many Worlds cannot be united to∣gether. Moreover, if beyond the highest Heaven, there should be another VVorld like to this, either they would touch one another, or be separate. If we suppose them separate, there must be some Medium that may wholly surround them both, and so nei∣ther of these VVorlds would be utmost, as having still something beyond them; and if they touched one another, being Round Bodies, there must be a Vacuum left between those parts, that did not touch; but we have proved a Vacuum to be an Impossibility in Nature, in our General Physiology. Besides, the Space which we imagine to be betwixt these two VVorlds, is not a meer Nothing, but a Body, since nothing but a Body can make a Di∣stance betwixt two Bodies: For we cannot con∣ceive one thing to be distant from another, without some real Medium that separates them, which see∣ing it can be nothing else but a Body, it will joyn both VVorlds together, and so instead of separating these two VVorlds, it will unite and make but one of them.
VIII. Whatsoever we imagin to be Ex∣tended, is a Body. But to put an end to this Dispute, we say that this VVorld hath no Bounds of its Magnitude. For seeing every Space is something extended, and that no Extension can be without a Body, we con∣clude that nothing can be conceived by us beyond the Heavens, but what must be Real; and conse∣quently that there can be no other VVorld besides this. And yet it cannot be inferr'd hence, that the VVorld is Infinite, but only that it is Indefi∣nitely Extended, because we cannot conceive so great an Extension in the VVorld, but we may still imagine Greater, forasmuch as all imaginable Spaces are fill'd with Matter.
IX. The World is not Infi∣nite, but Indefinitely extended. You'l say, If the VVorld be Indefinite, thas is, if we can imagine no Bounds or Ends of its Exten∣sion, it must be Infinite, because Infinite is nothing else, but that which hath no End.
X. The first Answer. I answer, First, All grant that there are Inde∣finite Parts in every Body, so that it is impossible to come to the last of them; and yet no body ever asserted, that therefore a Body was Infinite. So tho' we admit an Extension in the World, the end whereof we cannot imagine, yet is not the World therefore to be reputed Infinite. For I do not see how that which hath Finite Parts can be accounted Infinite; nor how any Mass or Bulk, which GOD can take something away
from when he pleaseth, can be called Intermi∣nate.
XI. The second Answer. I answer, Secondly, that there is a great difference betwixt that which is Infinite, and a thing Inde∣finite; for we cannot assert any thing to be Infinite, except we have a Reason whereby we can demon∣strate it is so: Whereas to assert any thing to be Indefinite, it is sufficient, if we have no Argument which proves it to be Finite. Which cannot be proved of the World; for it cannot be un∣derstood, that the Matter of which the World is made should have any Bounds, seeing that what∣soever we imagine beyond the Heavens, we still conceive it as an extended Space, which hath Length, Breadth and Depth, which constitute a Body. Of which we shall speak more fully in the Third Chapter.
XII. The World is Perfect. We cannot doubt of the Perfection of the World, if we consider either the Author of it, who is Infinite, All-wise, All-powerful, &c. or the Har∣mony of the Parts of the World, the Distinction of Natures, and Difference of Bodies that are in it; because we meet with nothing in it which is not Compleat and Perfect.
XIII. The Imper∣fection of Parts, takes not away the Perfe∣ction of the whole. And tho' the World doth not consist of things that are all best in their kind; because all particu∣lar things that are in the VVorld, if considered in themselves, cannot be said to be Perfect, but only with reference to the whole VVorld, whose parts they are. For all things that concur to the con∣stituting of any thing, must not be of one and the same Order. What would become of a Re∣publick, if all the Members of it were Senators? What would the Body of Man be, if it were made of nothing but Eyes? What would Musick be without Discords? So likewise the Beauty of the VVorld consists in the Diversity of Kinds that are in it; and things Imperfect, as well as Perfect, contribute to its orderly and most excellent Consti∣tution.
XIV. The Har∣mony of the World consists in it Variety. Wherefore this admirable Structure of the VVorld would want much of its Beauty, without that Vicissitude and Inconstancy which we find in it. Hence it is that all things made by GOD are subject to Corruption, neither is any Body so firm, which in continuance of Time is not changed. Thus it hath been observed of late, that VVorms are generated not only in Stone, but also in Glass; so that we may well conclude, that there are no Bodies in the VVorld that are altogether exempt from Corruption.
XV. It is no Argument against the Perfection of the World, that some hurt∣ful things are found in it. But you'l say, Why are there so many Excre∣ments of the Earth, Air, &c. in the World? Why were Worms, Flies, Serpents, &c. Created? since these frequently are mischievous; and other Creatures again perish, without having been of any use at all? I answer, that none of these things are Superfluous in the World, seeing that they are Instances of the Power of GOD, and if Men's Industry be not wanting, may be employ'd to many good uses. The very Poison of Venemous Creatures, by preparation and due exhibition, become great Antidotes; neither is there any thing so de∣formed in the World, which doth not add to its lustre and beauty, as Shadows set off a Pi∣cture.