4-oo Matter not eternal and uncaused-

eternal uncaused matter-, if a rational solution can be of-fered, perhaps the ground of starting such difficulties mayfor the future be removed, and the truth more readilyembraced. The question is; " If Indifference as to the**. manner of existing is inconsistent with necessary exl ~slence, are not all the actions of a necessarily exist in o“ Being, what may be considered as the manner of bis eX-" istence, and therefore necessary ?” This question car-ries the greatest difficulty with it, when considered Witrespect to the creation of the Universe, which is, aS ^were, the beginning of a new period in the eternity °JGod: for after creation, the work os Providence con 1mences, and the constant superintendence of all his crealures, which seems a new scene of aJFairs to the D elt y-so that we must either allow some change (with refp eito action) in him, and therefore in the manner of bis ex-istence ; or if otherwise, his actions must be as necejftsthe manner of his existence; and then we must admbthe consequences of this physical necessity, which lea veShim a Being whom we need not regard. To this I 311swer, first, That it hath been shewn above to satisfa^ 10 ^

I hope, That indifference as to the manner of exist e1tce *inconsistent with neceffity of existence, or that the mt> nner .necessary existence is itself necessary ; as also, That th e a s _ens of the Deity cannot proceed from a physical nectffstthat would only make him a powerful, but surd &

(2. e. having power without intelligence) which is lflC s e

sistent with the neceffity of insnite perfeSiion. Now ^two points being proved true separately, and indepe stof each other, the right method of going on in s^ r yvestigation of the truth will be, to draw this cos