andshewn inconclusive. 245

Thus it appears that to require an ab-\ t s e demonstration of the existence of mat-j ' of the foul of man, (of man in general0 ^ an j for no man wants a demonstration^ existence of his own foul) or of otherj^ lte ^material Beings, is to mistake thea demonstration, and of thea it is conversant about. It is to requireer tionstration of the necessary existence ofE Beings, whose existence, ex concejsts , isj. tln gent: for such an absolute demonstration^ * have been always true; just as any de-^ ^stration of the property of a geometrical-st Ur e was always true. That is, it mustbeen always true that matter existed.j s ^P 0 finga possible being really existed, therej 110 other way to shew the existence of it^ atl °ther, but by the effects, it produces, or£ Perceptions it raises in some percipient; or by shewing it would be an abfur-3 ti ° r ^ch effects, or perceptions , to have^ other cause.

Tet because this contradiction, viz.c °ntingent Being exists necessarily , can-

be demonstrated; some men have «n*R -? skilfully