demonstrated a priori; and yet nothing is prior to Truths eternally neceffary. To confine therefore the Ufe of the Term, to argumentations about Such things only, as have Other Things prior to them in Time; is only Quibbling about the Signification of Words.

To the Objection, that an Attribute cannot be the Ground or Reason of the Existence of the Subftance itself, which is always on the contrary the Support of the Attributes: I answer; that, in ftri&tnefs of Speech, Neceffity of Existence is not an Attribute, in the Senfe that Attributes are properly fo ftyled; but 'tis, [Sui generis,] the Ground or Foundation of existence, both of the Substance, and of All the Attributes. Thus, in Other Inftances; Immenfity is not an Attribute, in the Senfe that Wisdom, Power, and the like, are ftrictly fo called; but 'tis, [Sui generis,] a Mode of Existence, both of the Subftance, and of All the Attributes. In like manner; Eternity, is not an Attribute or Property, in the fenfe that other Attributes, inhering in the Substance, and fupported by it, are properly fo called; but 'tis, [Sui generis,] the Duration of existence, both of the Subftance, and of All the Attributes. Attributes or Properties, ftrictly fo called, cannot be predicated one of another. Wisdom cannot properly be faid to be Powerful; or Power, to be Wife. But Immenfity, is a MODE of existence, both of the Divine Subftance, and of All the Attributes. Eternity, is the D VRATION of existence, both of the Divine SubStance, and of All the Attributes. And Neceffity, is the GROUND, or Reafon, or Foundation of Exiftence, both of the Divine Subftance, and of All the Attributes.

I am, Sir,

Your very humble Servant, &c.

IN

T

N the Second Propofition (in the Demonftration of the Being and Attributes of God,) Pag. 13; upon the words, [" is only a driving back from one Step « to another,”] add the following Note.

HIS matter has fince been well illuftrated, by a late Able Writer. "Suppofe a Chain hung down "out of the Heavens, from an Unknown Height; and, though Every link of it gravitated toward the Earth, and what it hung upon was not visible, yet it did not defcend, but kept its fituation: And, <c upon This, a question fhould arife, What fupported « or kept up this Chain? Would it be a fufficient "Anfier, to say, that the First or Lowest Link hung ce upon the Second, or That next above it; the Se«cond, or rather the Firft and Second together, Ce проп the Third; and fo on in infinitum? For, "What holds up the Whole? A Chain of ten links,

would fall down; unless fomething, able to bear «it, hindered. One of Twenty; if not ftaied by "Something of a yet Greater Strength, in proportion to

the Increase of Weight. And therefore One of in"finite links, certainly; if not sustained by Something infinitely strong, and capable to bear up an infinite Weight. And Thus it is in a Chain of "Caufes and Effects; tending, or (as it were) gra"vitating, towards fome End. The Laft, or Loweft, depends, or (as one may fay) is fufpended upon

.

the

Caufe above it. This again, if it be not the First "Caufe, is fufpended, as an Effect, upon Something "above it ; &c. And if they should be infinite;

unless (agreeably to what has been faid) there is

" Some

"fome Caufe, upon which All hang or depend; they "would be but an infinite Effect, without an Effi"cient. And to affert there is any fuch Thing, would "be as great an Abfurdity as to fay, that a finite or little Weight wants fomething to fuftain it, "but an Infinite one (or the Greateft) does not.'' Religion of Nature delineated, pag. 67.

FINI S.

INIS

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