On Infinites. 333 



ihe foot which follows it. However far we push back an idea 

 of the earth's revolving, notliin./, obliges us to stop, and to say 

 at this point it began to nn.ove." It is obvious that each of the 

 revolutions supposed in the 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 creation has been eternal ; but merely that ei- 

 ther supposition involves no absurdity. It is admitted by 

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

 nied that wherever he is present, he can create ; for 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 of miles. Take the stars 

 in one of these lines, and the line being 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 incalcula- 

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

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

 an infinite 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 number 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 

 an infinite number. If these expressions appear incohe- 

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

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

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

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

 will also certainly be granted, that this power might have 

 been 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. II. 43 



