Before we proceed any farther it is necessary we spend some time in answering objections which may probably be made against the principles we have hitherto laid down. In doing of which, if I seem too prolix to those of quick apprehen- sions, I hope it may be pardoned, since all men do not equally apprehend things of this nature, and I am willing to be understood by everyone.
First, then, it will be objected that by the foregoing principles all that is real and substantial in nature is banished out of the world, and instead thereof a chimerical scheme of ideas takes place. All things that exist, exist only in the mind, that is, they are purely notional. What therefore becomes of the sun, moon and stars? What must we think of houses, rivers, mountains, trees, stones; nay, even of our own bodies? Are all these but so many chimeras and illusions on the fancy? To all which, and whatever else of the same sort may be objected, I answer, that by the principles premised we are not deprived of any one thing in nature. Whatever we see, feel, hear, or anywise conceive or understand remains as secure as ever, and is as real as ever. There is a rerum natura, and the distinction between realities and chimeras retains its full force. This is evident from Part One, Section Twenty-nine, Part One, Section Thirty and Part One, Section Thirty-three, where we have shewn what is meant by real things in oppo- sition to chimeras or ideas of our own framing; but then they both equally exist in the mind, and in that sense they are alike ideas.
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