Of the imperfection of words.

SECT.

1. Words are used for record-

ing and communicating our

thoughts.

2. Any words will serve for

recording.

3. Communication by words,

civil or philosophical.

4. The imperfection of words

is the doubtfulness of their

signification.

5. Causes of their imperfec-

tion.

6. The names of mixed modes

doubtful: first, because the

ideas they stand for are so

complex.

7. Secondly, because they

have no standards.

8. Propriety not a sufficient

remedy.

9. This learning very little be-
nefits society.

10. But destroys the instru-
ments of knowledge and
communication.

11. As useful as to confound
the sound of the letters.
12. This art has perplexed re-
ligion and justice.

13. And ought not to pass for
learning.

14. Fourthly, taking them for
things.

15. Instance in matter.
16. This makes errours lasting.
17. Fifthly, setting them for

what they cannot signify. 18. V. g. putting them for the

real essences of substances. 19. Hence we think every change of our idea in substances, not to change the species.

20. The cause of this abuse,

a supposition of nature's working always regularly. 21. This abuse contains two false suppositions. 22. Sixthly, a supposition that words have a certain and evident signification. 23. The ends of language: first, to convey our ideas.. 24. Secondly, to do it with quickness.

25. Thirdly, therewith to con

vey the knowledge of things. 26-31. How men's words fail in all these.

32. How in substances.

33. How in modes and relations.

34. Seventhly, figurative speech also an abuse of language.

3. But yet necessary to philosophy.

4. Misuse of words, the cause of great errours. 5. Obstinacy.

6. And wrangling.

7. Instance, bat and bird.

8. First remedy, to use no

word without an idea. 9. Secondly, to have distinct ideas annexed to them in modes.

10. And distinct and conformable in substances. 11. Thirdly, propriety. 12. Fourthly, to make known their meaning.

13. And that three ways. 14. First, in simple ideas by synonymous terms, or showing.

15. Secondly, in mixed modes by definition.

19. Two things have made

moral ideas thought in-

capable of demonstration.

Their complexedness and

want of sensible represen-

tations.

20. Remedies of those diffi

culties.

21. Fourthly, of real exist-

ence; we have an intuitive

knowledge of our own, de-
monstrative of God's, sen-

sitive of some few other

things.

22. Our ignorance great.

23. First, one cause of it, want

of ideas, either such as we

have no conception of, or

such as particularly we have

8. Answered, real truth is about ideas agreeing to things.

9. Falsehood is the joining of names, otherwise than their ideas agree.

10. General propositions to be treated of more at large. 11. Moral and metaphysical truth.

CHAP. VI.

Of universal propositions, their truth and certainty. SECT.

1. Treating of words, necessary to knowledge.

2. General truths hardly to be
understood, but in verbal
propositions.

3. Certainty two-fold of truth,
and of knowledge.
4. No proposition can

be

known to be true, where the essence of each species mentioned is not known. 5. This more particularly

concerns substances. 6. The truth of few universal propositions concerning substances, is to be known. 7. Because, co-existence of ideas in few cases is to be known.

8, 9. Instance in gold.

10. As far as any such co-existence can be known, so far universal propositions may be certain. But this

will go but a little way, because;

11, 12. The qualities, which make our complex ideas of substances, depend mostly on external, remote, and unperceived causes.

13. Judgment may reach farther, but that is not know. ledge.