And, I
hope it need not be proved to you that if the existence of Matter
doth not make the creation conceivable, the creation's being
without it inconceivable can be no objection against its non-
existence.
. I confess, Philonous, you have almost satisfied me in
this point of the creation.
. I would fain know why you are not quite satisfied.
You tell me indeed of a repugnancy between the Mosaic history and
Immaterialism: but you know not where it lies. Is this
reasonable, Hylas? Can you expect I should solve a difficulty
without knowing what it is? But, to pass by all that, would not a
man think you were assured there is no repugnancy between the
received notions of Materialists and the inspired writings?
. And so I am.
. Ought the historical part of Scripture to be
understood in a plain obvious sense, or in a sense which is
metaphysical and out of the way?
. In the plain sense, doubtless.
. When Moses speaks of herbs, earth, water, &c. as
having been created by God; think you not the sensible things
commonly signified by those words are suggested to every
unphilosophical reader?
.
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