CHAP II; 



Of the relative Perfection of Beings. 



EPRESTR1AL beings may naturally be ranged 

 imtkrfour general classes: 



I. Brute and inorganized beings. 



II. Organized and inanimate beings. 



III. Organized and animate beings. 



IV. Organized, animate., and reasonable beings. 



All beings are perfect, considered in themselves ; they, 

 all answer one end. The determinations or qualities, 

 proper for each being, are the means relative to this 

 end. If these determinations should change, they would 

 no longer have a reference to their end, and there would-- 

 be no more wisdom. 



But those means which are of a more exalted nature 

 answer a. nobler end. The being appointed to fulfil 

 this end, is enriched with proportionable faculties. 



Beings whose relations to the whole are more varied, 

 more multiplied, and more copious, possess a, higher de- 

 gree of relative perfection. 



As there are. two general classes of substances, bodies 

 and souls, there are likewise two general classes of per- 

 fection, the corporeal perfection, or ilia t which is pecu- 

 liar to bodies; and the spiritual perfection, or that 

 which is peculiar to souls. 



These two perfections are reunited in every organized 

 animated being, and they correspond with one another. 



Froi their. reunion proceeds that mixed perfection 



