But the acknowledging of one God, eternal, infinite, and…
““But the acknowledging of one God, eternal, infinite, and omnipotent, may more easily be derived, from the desire men have to know the causes of natural bodies, and their several virtues, and operations; than from the fear of what was to befall them in time to come. For he that from any effect he seeth come to pass, should reason to the next and immediate cause thereof, and from thence to the cause of that cause, and plunge himself profoundly in the pursuit of causes; shall at last come to this, that there must be, as even the heathen philosophers confessed, one first mover; that is, a first, and an eternal cause of all things; which is that which men mean by the name of God: and all this without thought of their fortune; the solicitude whereof, both inclines to fear, and hinders them from the search of the causes of other things; and thereby gives occasion of feigning of as many gods, as there be men that feign them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reasoning from observable natural causes leads to the concept of a first cause, which many identify as God, rather than fear of the unknown.
In simple terms: Understanding nature points to a first cause called God.
Key Takeaway
Seek knowledge, not fear.
Themes
philosophy
theology
reasoning
science
skepticism
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Scientific inquiry
- philosophical debate
- personal belief formation
- education
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
First cause
causality
natural philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does scientific understanding influence belief in a deity?
- Can causality be fully grasped by human reason?
A Different Perspective
Relies on philosophical assumptions about causality that may not be universally accepted.