40 



ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. Book:L 



CHAP. V. 



Mind, the chief SuhjeSf of Metaphyfics^ but not the only — Being, and 

 its general Attributes^ the Subje^ of Metaphyfics — The Univ(*rfe dU 

 fo^ and the firfi Caufes and Principles of Things — Full Definition of 

 Metaphyfics — The Properties of this Science ^ and the fieveral Names 

 by ivhich it is knoivn — Encomium of it by Arifiotle — The Subject oj it 

 the fame ivith the Diale^ic and the Sophifiical Art — The Knoivledge 

 of it neceffary for dete^ing the Fallacies of the Soph if s, 



THOUGH mind be, as I have faid, the chief fubje£t of metaphyfics^ 

 there are other things in nature of which the confidcration be- 

 longs to \\\G firfi philofophy ; for, even with regard to tnind itfelf, as it is 

 but one kind of beings the nature of it cannot be fully underftood, unlefs 

 we know what being in general is, ai;d what are the common accidents^ 

 or properties that belong to it as bein^, 1 he fubjed, therefore, of meta- 

 phyfics, according to Ariflotle, is the to o., \ ew, or beings qua being ; for 

 he tells us, that it is not any particular kina of b'-ingy luch as ani- 

 mals or <uegetables^ lines or numbers^ that is the i'bj^ct of metaphyfics, 

 but bthi^ in general, and its common attributes *. And he ib at great 

 pains to fhow, that, though the fubjed; be lo cumprchcnfive, and fo 

 various, yet the fcience is but one f. 



Some of the common attributes of being I have already mention- 

 ed ; one particularly v^ith v»'hich I fet out, and vv.hJch is principally to 

 be attended to, *viz, that fonic beings are- by their naUire, intirely fe- 

 paralcd from inattei or bojy^ while others are joined with it. Whe- 

 ther 



♦ Mftnp'^yf. lib. ^i- cap. I. et lib. 6- Cap. i. 

 ■<^- Mctaphyf. lib. 4. cap. 2. 



