Cliap. VI. A N T I E N T M E T A P H Y S I C S. oj 



that operation of our minds, by which we form idean, is flill more 

 wonderful. As this is a view in which ideas have never been con- 

 fidered, I will enlarge a little upon ic. 



To be convinced of this, let us confider that our firft ftep, from 

 the mere animal to the intelledlual creature, is the forming of ideas ; 

 for it is that which gives us intellect in actuality^ which, in our na- 

 tural ftate, we had only in capacity. Now the beginning of all 

 things is the moft difficult; and it is particularly {o in this cafe, if 

 we confider, that all our ideas are formed from Nature. Now, what 

 does Nature prefent to us ? It is what may be called a Chaos, 

 where every thing is mixed with every thing, animals, vegetables, 

 and minerals, the elements of earth, water, air, and nre j the hea- 

 vens above, and the earth below. Thefe are all perceived by 

 our fenfes, which are our only inlets to knowledge in this ftate 

 of our exiftence. But the fenfes perceive them altogether in 

 the lump, and as they exift in nature ; but in order to form ideas 

 of them, we muft arrange them, and perceive their feveral relations 

 and connexions. This is done, as I have flaewn*, by the two great 

 faculties of the human intelleQ, abftradion and generalization ; 

 that is, by dividing and uniting. As the face of Nature prefents to 

 us all things, as I have faid, mixed with all, in v.'hich way they are 

 perceived by our fenfes, it is of abfolute necefTity that they (houlJ 

 be -divided and confulered feparately, otherwife it is impofTible we 

 can form that diftindl notion of them, which we call an idea. And 

 particularly it is neceflary, that in forming the idea of any material 

 fubftance, v-re fiiould abftract it from the matter. And here there is 

 another effentiul difference betwixt the idea and the perception of 

 fenfe, which perceives nothing but what is material in the fubjecfl. 



Vol. IV. I As 



* P. 17. of this VQlume. 



