Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with…

But it will appear this does not enervate the force of the Arguments for its spiritual nature. For this dependence is only objective, not instrumental of the Souls perception. The first images of things are introduced by the mediation of the senses, and by their presence (for nothing else is requisite) the mind is excited, and draws a Picture resembling, or if it please not resembling them, and so operates alone, and completes its own ⟨p. 162⟩work. Of this we have a clear experiment in the conceptions which the mind forms of things so different from the first notices of them by the Senses.

But it will appear this does not enervate the force of the Arguments for its spiritual nature. For this dependence is only objective, not instrumental of the Souls perception. The first images of things are introduc'd by the mediation of the senses, and by their presence (for nothing else is requisit) the mind is excited, and draws a Picture resembling, or if it please not resembling them, and so operates alone, and compleats its own ⟨p. 162⟩work. Of this we have a clear experiment in the conceptions which the mind forms of things so different from the first notices of them by the Senses.

The first apprehensions of the Deity are from the visible effects of his Power, but the Idea in which the understanding contemplates him, is framed by removing all imperfections that are in the Creatures, and consequently that he is not corporeal. For whatsoever is so, is liable to corruption, that is absolutely repugnant to the perfection of his nature. Now the common Sense and Fancy, only powerful to work in Matter; cannot truly express an immaterial Being. Indeed as Painters by their Colours represent invisible things, as Darkness, the Winds, the Internal affections of ⟨p. 163⟩the heart, so that by the representations, the thoughts are awakened of such objects; so the fancy may with the like Art shadow forth Spiritual Beings by the most resembling forms taken from sensible things. Thus it imagines the Angels under the likeness of young Men with Wings, to express their vigour and velocity. But the Mind by its internal light conceives them in another manner, by a Spiritual form, that exceeds the utmost efficacy of the corporeal Organs, so that 'tis evident the Soul as intellectual in its singular and most proper operations, is not assisted by the ministry of the Senses.