34. Our complex idea of God as infinite.
If I find that I know some few things, and some of them, or all, perhaps
imperfectly, I can frame an idea of knowing twice as many; which I can double again, as often as I can add to
number; and thus enlarge my idea of knowledge, by extending its comprehension to all things existing, or
possible. The same also I can do of knowing them more perfectly; i.e., all their qualities, powers, causes,
consequences, and relations, etc., till all be perfectly known that is in them, or can any way relate to them: and
thus frame the idea of infinite or boundless knowledge. The same may also be done of power, till we come to that
we call infinite; and also of the duration of existence, without beginning or end, and so frame the idea of an
eternal being. The degrees or extent wherein we ascribe existence, power, wisdom, and all other perfections
(which we can have any ideas of) to that sovereign Being, which we call God, being all boundless and infinite, we
frame the best idea of him our minds are capable of: all which is done, I say, by enlarging those simple ideas we
have taken from the operations of our own minds, by reflection; or by our senses, from exterior things, to that
vastness to which infinity can extend them.
