490 A BRIEF SCHEME OF ONTOLOGY. lions, signs, language, and particularlyall extrinsic denomina- tions and terms of art. Note, All affections of being are not positive, but they may be sometimes negative. Some men are knowing, some are ig- norant or without knowledge. CHAP. II.Of Essence or Nature, Matter and Form. AMONG the absolute affections of being the first that offers itself is essence or nature; and it consists in an union ofall those things, whether substances or modes, which are necessary to make that thing be what it is ; solid extension is the essence of matter; an animal body and soulunited are the essenceofa man ; and manyflowers bound together are the essence of a nosegay. Note 1. Whatsoever is clearly -contained in the nature or essence of a thing, may be affirmed of that thing : Contingence is contained in the nature of a creature, and we may say of every creature, it is contingent or may not be. Existence is contained in the nature or essence of God, and we may therefore affirm that God has existence, or God exists. Q. The essences of mathematical beings are immutable ; never so little an alteration destroys the essence of a circle or a square : But the essences of natural beings are not so, nor do they consist in an indivisible point, but admit of degrees. A rose with more or fewer leaves may be a rose still. Marble is still marble whether it be tinged yellow or grey, or made a little harder or a little softer. But when the alteration or difference is very great, it is sometimes hard to say whether it retain the same essence so as to deserve the same name :- Is a bat a bird or a beast ? Is every monster to be called man which is born of a woman ? Query, When Mr. Locke infers from hence that the essences of natural beings are but mere nominal essences, does he carry this matter too far, or not ? Though we do not so well know the distinct essences and natures of particular kinds of spirits, as to say certainly what theyconsist in, yet theessence of every particularkind of body certainly consists of matter and form. Matter is the solid extended substance which is common to all bodies : The form includes and implies those peculiar qualities both real and sensible, which make any particular body be what it is, and distinguish it from all other bodies. Note, Shape or figure, size or quantity, situation or place, . together with motion and rest are called the real or primary qualities of matter, because theydo and would belong to bodies whether there were any sensible being to take notice of them or no. But colour, sound, taste, heat, cold, &c. are called sen- * See this chapter explained wore at large in the eleventh essay ftrcgoing, which was written when 1 designed to have drawn out this a Ontology" ints a more complete form.
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