22. Implicitly known before proposing, signifies that the mind is capable of understanding them, or else signifies
nothing.
If it be said, the understanding hath an implicit knowledge of these principles, but not an explicit, before
this first hearing (as they must who will say "that they are in the understanding before they are known,") it will be
hard to conceive what is meant by a principle imprinted on the understanding implicitly, unless it be this,--that
the mind is capable of understanding and assenting firmly to such propositions. And thus all mathematical
demonstrations, as well as first principles, must be received as native impressions on the mind; which I fear they
will scarce allow them to be, who find it harder to demonstrate a proposition than assent to it when demonstrated.
And few mathematicians will be forward to believe, that all the diagrams they have drawn were but copies of
those innate characters which nature had engraven upon their minds.
