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On Ltjinlles^ 335 



with certainty thai the period between that point and the 

 preseat is finite. Therefore infinite durntion is impossible. 

 From this fallacy, ijowevefj it leaps with alacrity, for it 

 perceives with the quickness of instinct, that of such finite 

 quantities however great, eternal duration comprehends aa 

 infinity. So of infinite space any two points may be assum- 

 ed, and therefore space cannot be boundless, because the 

 ^ipace between those points is finite. But of such fii.ites, 

 infinite space obviously comprehends an infinity. In order 

 that the line between two points should be infinite, it is 

 • necessary that they should be extreme points. But extreme 

 points in infinite space, is a contradiction in tcrn)s, 

 and an absurdity. To many minds that discuss infinites, it 

 seems a most mysterious circumstance, that they fa!! into 

 so many inevitable fallacies, and find arguments of appa- 

 rently irresistible force set point blank agai»ist each other. 

 "Ut it is well worthy of remark, that such fallacies are nev- 

 ^y mcurred, except when we attempt to measure infinites 

 hy a finite number of finite quantities ; a mode of proceed' 

 'Hg which leaves less ground for wonder at its resultSj ilvdn 

 at the genius that prompted it. 



The opinion that the eternity of mntter and of finite 

 spirits, necessarily implies an independent existence, is 

 founded on the habit of reasoning from analogy. We Isave 

 heen accustomed to consider the Deity aloiie possessed of 

 pternal existciice, and the supposition that he only has ex- 

 ited ctcriiaily, unavoidably implies that he is independent. 

 Hence w!)en we attribute eternity to any other existence, 

 wc are apt to conclude, that wliereas independence is obvi- 

 ously a necessary concomitant of eternity in the Supreme 

 toeing, it must be so of course in the case of af! other etor- 

 ^^*| existences. £ternr,l creation as supposed above is 

 ^tnctly eternal ; and yet is as perfectly dependent on the 

 ^^dy as if it were not suppo>ed eternal. Should \i be 

 ^^*d, that if matter and finite spirits are dependent on the 

 ^^>ty for existence, tlvey cann'Jt have been eternal; then 

 there was a certain point in duration before which the Dci- 

 ^y could not uphold' them in existence ; and between tfie 

 present time and that point the duration is indispensably 

 naite. Tiiereforc during an eternity God had not the pow- 

 ^j' to uphold the world. ' It is needless to say that this is an 

 absurdity. If ^ve assert that it was necessary for him to 

 l^roate them sometime before their capability of being up- 

 held iu existence, then, as stated above, God cannot per- 



