198 CLARKE AND SPINOZA. [CHAP. XIII. 



tions of it which are of a more complex character than the others, 

 and afford better illustrations of the method of this work. 



In Prop. iv. it is shown that the substance or essence of the 

 self- existent being is incomprehensible. The tenor of the reason- 

 ing employed is, that we are ignorant of the essential nature of 

 all other things, much more, then, of the essence of the self- 

 existent being. 



In Prop. v. it is contended that "though the substance or 

 essence of the self-existent being is itself absolutely incompre- 

 hensible to us, yet many of the essential attributes of his nature 

 are strictly demonstrable, as well as his existence." 



In Prop. vi. it is argued that "the self-existent being must 

 of necessity be infinite and omnipresent ;" and it is contended 

 that his infinity must be "an infinity of fulness as well as of 

 immensity." The ground upon which the demonstration pro- 

 ceeds is, that an absolute necessity of existence must be inde- 

 pendent of tune, place, and circumstance, free from limitation, 

 and therefore excluding all imperfection. And hence it is in- 

 ferred that the self-existent being must be " a most simple, un- 

 changeable, incorruptible being, without parts, figure, motion, 

 or any other such properties as we find in matter." 



The premises actually employed may be exhibited as follows : 



1 . If a finite being is self-existent, it is a contradiction to 

 suppose it not to exist. 



2. A finite being may, without contradiction, be absent from 

 one place. 



3. That which may without contradiction be absent from one 

 place may without contradiction be absent from all places. 



4. That which may without contradiction be absent from all 

 places may without contradiction be supposed not to exist. 



Let us assume 

 x = Finite beings. 

 y = Things self-existent. 



z = Things which it is a contradiction to suppose not to exist. 

 w = Things which may be absent without contradiction from 



one place. 

 t = Things which without contradiction may be absent from 



every place. 



