(seq. 19)

of Reason

able to fully comprehend it. The notions that we
have of intelligent entity, we derive not only from
the consciousness that we have of it in our Selves, but
from the inferences of it in others which we perceive
by the external signs of it in them.

Furthermore, our neig-
=hbours and others of our Species with whom we are
sociable, by language inform us, that they are also
rational beings, the reality of which is fully evinced
to us by their intelligent conversation as well as by
writing, and and other external behaviour, but we are
not conscious of each others consciousness, yet we can
not be mistaken in the conclusion that we (and they) are ratio-
nal beings. The knowledge therefore that we have
of our own intelligent nature, is from our respective
immediate consciousness as of it; but the knowledge
that we have of this specific kind of entity in others,
we imediately derive from the intelligent com-
munication which we have with them. And as
to our evidence of the Divine intelligence, we
deduce it from that of our own, for we can not
but know that God is an intelligent being, because
he has made us so, and his power wisdom and good-
ness is displayed to us in the Creation, regulation and
support of the Universe, or of such parts of it, as comes
within our notice and observation. Thus it is from
our own rational nature, and from external things
in general that we deduce the knowledge of the being
of a God and of his perfections.

This is a concise summary