The seventh Proposition. No actual being that is superfluous, de∣fective, inordinate, absurd, or difform from the rule of right Reason, can be essentially necessary, or of it self.

Proof.

FOr what necessity can there be of absurdities or defects, &c. seeing their not being is better then their be∣ing, and the works of nature are better without them then with them? For if any thing absurd and contrary to rea∣son could be essentially necessary, and of it self, and all thing must proceed Page  43from that being which is essentially ne∣cessary, and of it self, as is above pro∣ved, then all things which have a being must be absurd and contrary to reason. But it is evident that all things which have a being are not absurd and contra∣ry to reason, ergo. The Minor is evi∣dent by the Reasonableness, Order, Beauty, Perfection, Connection, and Symmetry which are found in those things which we experience to be. The Major I prove, for nothing can give that which it hath not it self, therefore, if that which gives, that is, produces all things, be absurd and contrary to rea∣son, it cannot give, that is, produce any thing which is perfect and according to reason. For if that which is contra∣ry to reason could work according to reason; (and whatsoever gives or pro∣duces any thing which is according to reason, must work according to reason) then that which is contrary to reason will be according to reason; for what∣soever Page  44works according to reason, must participate of reason, and so be accord∣ing to reason. Again, whatsoever is, there must be some reason why it is: But there can be no reason, why any thing which is contrary to reason should be, ergo. The Minor is evident, for if there were reason for it, it could not be contrary to reason, unless you make the same thing to be according to reason and contrary to reason. I prove the Major, for if any thing could be without any reason why it is, then any one may put what he pleaseth to be, or not to be, without any reason: and so all humane discourse will be frustrated, which gives reasons for what it affirms, and deduceth all things from reason. But of this more hereafter.