On hifinites. 333 



the foot which follows it. However far we push back an Idea 

 of the earth's revolvitig, nothing obliges us to stop, and to say 

 ?*t this point It began to move." It is obvious that each of the 

 revolutions supposed in tlie above argument, would be a unit. 

 It proves, therefore, the possibility of an infinite series of 

 units. It of course proves also the possibility of an infi- 

 nite universe, and of an eternal* work of creation. But 

 it is by no means the only argument. It is not intended at 

 present to show that the universe is actually infinite or that 

 the work of en ation has been eternal; but merely that ei- 

 ther supposition involves no ab.^urdity. It is adniitlcd by 

 all that God is every where present, and h will not. be de- 

 nied tliat w^herever he is present, he can create j U)v to ad- 

 duce and believe such a denial would at once destroy the 

 idea of his own omnipotence. The conviction then, must 

 be irresistible, that God has the power to make the uni- 

 verse infinite. A concession to this effect is all that is re- 

 quisite. Suppose that he had made it infinite, and instead 

 of placing the stars in their present order, had arranged 

 them regularly in parallel lines, having a given distance be- 

 tween them, say twenty billions oi m\\es. Take the stars 

 in one of these lines, and the line beini^ infinite, we see 



with certainty that the number of stars in that line would 

 also be Infinite; not in the highest sense, for of such infini- 

 ty, number is not capable; but so great as to be incalcida- 

 ble by any finite mind. Take all the lines of stars that He 

 in a single infinite plane, and it is obvious that there will be 

 an infinhe number of lines, in each of which an infinite 

 number of stars or units is included. Again, take all the 

 infinite parallel planes, and there are an infinite nujnber of 

 planes or units, each of which contains an infinite number 

 of lines or units, and each of these lines contains also an in- 

 finite number of units. Here then, we have the cube of 

 J^n infinite number. If these expressions appear incohe- 

 rent to any one, let him for a moment divest his aiind en- 

 tirely of language, and the ideas will be unequivocal, and 

 light as day. Again, it is granted by all, that God is eier- 

 'ial; and also that his power of action has been eternal. It 

 ^vill also certainly be granted, that this power might have. 

 f>een exerted at every period of its existence, or else it was 

 not a power. If it might have been exerted eternally^ then 

 eternal creation Is no absurdity. 



Vol. v.. ..No. IL 43 



