Thus, to resume the answers which have been given to Dr. Clarke, we shall say:
1) We can conceive that matter has existed from all eternity, seeing that we cannot conceive it to have been capable of beginning.
2) That matter is independent, seeing there is nothing exterior to itself; that it is immutable, seeing it cannot change its nature, although it is unceasingly changing its form and its combinations.
3) That matter is self-existent, since not being able to conceive it can be annihilated, we cannot possibly conceive it can have commenced existing.
4) That we do not know the essence, or the true nature of matter, although we have a knowledge of some of its properties; of some of its qualities: according to the mode in which they act upon us.
5) That matter not having had a beginning will never have an end, although its numerous combinations, its various forms, have necessarily a commencement and a period.
6) That is all that exists, or everything our mind can conceive is matter, this matter is infinite; that is to say, cannot be limited by anything; that it is omnipresent, seeing there is no place exterior to itself; indeed, if there was a place exterior to it, that would be a vacuum.
7) That nature is unique, although its elements or its parts may be varied to infinity, induced with properties extremely opposite; with qualities essentially different.
8) That matter, arranged, modified, and combined in a certain mode, produces in some beings what we call intelligence, which is one of its modes of being, not one of its essential properties.
9) That matter is not a free agent, since it cannot act otherwise than it does, in virtue of 'the laws of its nature, or of its existence ; that consequently, heavy bodies must necessarily fall; light bodies by the same necessity rise; fire must burn; man must experience good and evil, according to the quality of the beings whose action he experiences.
10) That the power or the energy of matter has no other bounds than those which are prescribed by its own existence.
11) That wisdom, justice, goodness, etc. are qualities peculiar to matter combined and modified, as it is found in some beings of the human species; that the idea of perfection is an abstract, negative, metaphysical idea, or mode of considering objects, which supposes nothing real to be exterior to itself.
12) That matter is the principle of motion, which it contains within itself: since matter alone is capable of either giving or receiving motion:
This is what cannot be conceived of immateriality or simple beings destitute of parts, devoid of extent, without mass, having no ponderosity, which consequently cannot either move itself or other.
Author: Mike Barnhouse
