3. Secondly, made arbitrarily, and without patterns.
In the next place, these essences of the species of mixed
modes are not only made by the mind, but made very arbitrarily, made without patterns, or reference to any real
existence. Wherein they differ from those of substances, which carry with them the supposition of some real
being, from which they are taken, and to which they are comformable. But, in its complex ideas of mixed modes,
the mind takes a liberty not to follow the existence of things exactly. It unites and retains certain collections, as so
many distinct specific ideas; whilst others, that as often occur in nature, and are as plainly suggested by outward
things, pass neglected, without particular names or specifications. Nor does the mind, in these of mixed modes, as
in the complex idea of substances, examine them by the real existence of things; or verify them by patterns
containing such peculiar compositions in nature. To know whether his idea of adultery or incest be right, will a
man seek it anywhere amongst things existing? Or is it true because any one has been witness to such an action?
No: but it suffices here, that men have put together such a collection into one complex idea, that makes the
archetype and specific idea, whether ever any such action were committed in rerum naturâ or no.
