7. Because men know not the real essences of substances.
Now, then, when men apply to this particular parcel of
matter on my finger a general name already in use, and denominate it gold, do they not ordinarily, or are they not
understood to give it that name, as belonging to a particular species of bodies, having a real internal essence; by
having of which essence this particular substance comes to be of that species, and to be called by that name? If it
be so, as it is plain it is, the name by which things are marked as having that essence must be referred primarily to
that essence; and consequently the idea to which that name is given must be referred also to that essence, and be
intended to represent it. Which essence, since they who so use the names know not, their ideas of substances must
be all inadequate in that respect, as not containing in them that real essence which the mind intends they should.
