A14095:69
A discovery of D. Jacksons vanity. Or A perspective glass, whereby the admirers of…A discovery of D. Iacksons vanitie. Or A perspective glasse, wherby the admirers of…
A discovery of D. Jacksons vanity. Or A perspective glass, whereby the admirers of D. Jacksons profound discourses, may see the vanity and weakness of them, in sundry passages, and especially so far as they tend to the undermining of the doctrine hitherto received. Written by William Twice, Doctor of Divinity, as they say, from whom the copy came to the pressA discovery of D. Iacksons vanitie. Or A perspective glasse, wherby the admirers of D. Iacksons profound discourses, may see the vanitie and weaknesse of them, in sundry passages, and especially so farre as they tende to the undermining of the doctrine hitherto received. Written by William Twisse, Doctor of Divinitie, as they say, from whom the copie came to the presse
Amsterdam: printed by the successors of Giles Thorp, 1631
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And whereas you say duration is a kind of extension; implying thereby, that extension is the Genus to magnitude and duration, as unto two species comprehended by it, I take this to be untrue. I judge rather, there is no univocal notion common to duration, and magnitude; though this be little material. But if you can show that it implieth as great contradiction that the World should be everlasting, as that it should be infinite in magnitude, then you should speak home indeed to the purpose. And I profess I make no doubt but the demonstration of the one may be as evident, as of the other: but that is a task, which you have not hitherto performed. And whosoever undertakes it, is like to find opposites enough. For there want not Schoolmen, that 1maintain the possibility of both, namely both of the everlastingness thereof in duration without beginning; and of the infinity thereof in extension. And one though no Schoolman, hath adventured to prove that the World is actually infinite, saying that otherwise, there were no effect suitable enough, to so infinite a cause and agent as God is:
And wheras you say duration is a kinde of extension; implyinge therby, that extension is the Genus to magnitude and duration, as unto two species comprehended by it, I take this to be untrue. I judge rather, there is no univocall notion common to duration, and magnitude; thoughe this be litle materiall. But if you can shewe that it implyethe as great contradiction that the World shoulde be everlastinge, as that it shoulde be infinite in magnitude, then you should speake home indeede to the purpose. And I professe I make no doubt but the demonstration of the one may be as evident, as of the other: but that is a taske, which you have not hitherto perfourmed. And whosoever undertakes it, is like to finde opposites enoughe. For there want not Schoolemen, that 1maynteyne the possibilitie of bothe, namely bothe of the everlastingnes therof in duration without beginninge; and of the infinity therof in extension. And one thoughe no Schooleman, hathe adventured to proove that the World is actually infinite, sayinge that otherwise, there were no effect suitable enoughe, to so infinite a cause and agent as God is:
- 1Biel: in 2. sect. dist. 1. q. 3. a Scot there answereth. Gandavatia his arguments pro ving the impossibility of the World to be from everlasting.