What is positive, what negative, in our Idea of infinite.
The idea of infinite has, I confess, something of positive in all those things we apply to it.

When we would think of infinite space or duration, we at first step usually make some very large idea, as perhaps of millions of ages, or miles, which possibly we double and multiply several times.

All that we thus amass together in our thoughts is positive, and the assemblage of a great number of positive ideas of space or duration.

But what still remains beyond this we have no more a positive distinct notion of than a mariner has of the depth of the sea; where, having let down a large portion of his sounding-line, he reaches no bottom.

Whereby he knows the depth to be so many fathoms, and more; but how much the more is, he hath no distinct notion at all: and could he always supply new line, and find the plummet always sink, without ever stopping, he would be something in the posture of the mind reaching after a complete and positive idea of infinity.