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terms. Accordingly, by world, I mean whatsoever is usually understood by the terms, body, extension, space, matter, quantity, &c. if there be any other word in our english tongue, which is synonimous with all or any of these terms. And now nothing remains but the explication of the word external.

By this, in general, I understand the same as is usually understood by the words, absolute, self-existent, independent, &c. and this is what I deny of all matter, body, extension, &c.

If this, you will say, be all that I mean by the word external, I am like to meet with no adversary at all, for who has ever affirmed, that matter is self-existent, absolute or independent?

To this I answer, what others hold, or have held in times past, I shall not here inquire. On the contrary, I should be glad to find by the event, that all mankind were agreed in that which I contend for as the truth, viz. that matter is not, cannot be independent, absolute, or self-existent. In the mean time, whether they are so or no, will be tried by this.

Secondly, and more particularly, that by not independent, not absolutely existent, not external, I mean and contend for nothing less, than that all matter, body, extension, &c. exists in, or in dependence on mind, thought, or perception, and that it is not capable of an existence, which is not thus dependant.¹