§ 18. Others would have matter to be Matter not
eternal, notwithstanding that they allow co-etemal
an eternal, cogitative, immaterial being, withaneter-
This, though it take not away the being ^ °^°^'
of a God, yet since it denies one and the first great
piece of his workmanship, the creation, let us consider
it a little. Matter must be allowed eternal. Why ?
because you cannot conceive how it can be made out of
nothing. Why do you not also think yourself eternal ?
You will answer, perhaps, because about twenty or
forty years since you began to be. But if I ask you
what that you is, which began then to be, you can
scarce tell me. The matter, whereof you are made,

VOL. III. F



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