Unknown. For me, this is not entirely clear.

Confessor. After all, by recognizing only the material world, you recognize the reality of space and time as they are given to your consciousness. You think of them "metaphysically", they are a real "extension" for you, which serves to measure things and alternate phenomena. Therefore, the concept of "infinity" in the sense of space having no end, and "eternity" in the sense of time having no limit, has a very real meaning for you. For you, this is not a "bad infinity", but objectively and really existing.

Unknown. Yes.

Confessor. But does your mind "comprehend" the concepts of infinite space and boundless time? It is absurd for you, because the omnipresent God is incomprehensible. But it is not at all absurd, though equally incomprehensible, that "infinite" space is. Can you, by the nature of your mind, think of something that has no end and no limit? Since space is "reality" for you, try to draw a line "without end" in your mind, try to imagine a universe that has no limit. Imagine that you are counting billions of versts somewhere far away from the Earth on which you are standing, and no matter how many versts you count, you are not at all approaching the end. You could count these miles for thousands of years and still be in the same position, because there is no end at all. Try to imagine all this, and you will understand with complete clarity the impossibility for the human mind to comprehend the concept of infinity. You think of everything as having a limit. Such is the quality of your limited mind. And if you set the same task in relation to time, your mind will be in the same helpless position. Try to imagine the billions of centuries that have already passed and the billions of centuries to come, and at the same time feel with all reality that no monstrous figures in the past and the future can in the least bring you closer to any limit, because time has neither beginning nor end. And the utter inability of your mind to comprehend the concept of eternity will become absolutely evident to you. And so, in spite of this impossibility of comprehending the infinity of space and the infinity of time, you affirm the undoubted reality of both.

Unknown. This is inevitable. How can I admit a limit? It is clear that although my mind is incapable of conceiving the infinite, it would be absurd to admit a limit, for no matter how huge the figure we take, it can always be increased even more.

Confessor. Exactly. The situation of your mind is hopeless: on the one hand, it is impossible to imagine infinity, and on the other hand, it is impossible to set a limit. You find a way out of this hopeless situation by recognizing the unknowable concept of infinity as undoubtedly existing. Isn't it?

Unknown. Yes, that's right.

Confessor. But such is the position of the human mind in the question of God. It is impossible to comprehend Him. It is ridiculous to deny. There remains only one thing: to recognize His existence as both incomprehensible and indubitable.

Unknown. An analogy can hardly be a proof.

Confessor. I don't prove it. I only object to the proposition: "We recognize everything as existing only to the extent that we can comprehend it with reason." I want you, in affirming unbelief, not to expand your rights in comparison with those who affirm faith. And what you demand faith from the reason of people, demand also from the reason of people who deny faith. If, in your opinion, the believing mind must recognize only the "knowable" as really existing, then let the unbelieving reason recognize only the knowable as really existing. And if you recognize the right of the unbelieving mind to recognize the "infinity" incomprehensible to the mind, on what grounds do you deprive the believing mind of the right to recognize the incomprehensible God?

Unknown. But by denying infinity, we arrive at absurdity.

Confessor. In my opinion, even by denying God, we come to the same conclusion.

Unknown. Yes, perhaps your analogy is correct. But will you show me what absurdity the denial of God leads to?

Confessor. Certainly. In its place.