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He begins thus, [Quis enim hoc modo demonstrantem laudet.] Who, saith he, will praise a man after this manner demonstrating: if the world be Eternal, then the number of dayes (or any other measure of time) infinite hath prece∣ded the birth of Abraham; but the nativity of Abraham preceded the nativity of Isaac; therefore one infinite, or one eternity, should be greater then another, which is absurd,]
thus farre he.* 1.1 Consider first the affinity this Argument hath with mine in the place to which this should be in∣serted; his Argument is drawne from the number of Dayes, mine of paternity, which overthrows one of his Answers at the first view, as will appear in its place. But that wh••ch he seems to apply his strength against is that Axiom, one Infinite cannot be greater then another; This is used concerning infinite in number; the reason of this is, because whatsoever is infinite, is boundlesse, it cannot be out-gone, but its self out-goes every thing of its kind; now what is greater then another containes that, and exceeds it; so foure exceeds three, and there∣fore gives it bounds; a hundred, and every number is bounded, it is not 100. and one, it is bounded in its self; and therefore every number hath its internal bounds, and, if it be exceeded, it hath external bounds, Minimum quod non, as his friends the Schooles speak, so well as maximum quod sic; it hath the least terme of that it can∣not extend to, as the greatest it can exist in.
Mr Hobb••s's paralogisme.