That, therefore, that had one beginning, is the same thing; and that which had a different beginning in time and place from that, is not the same, but diverse.

That which has made the difficulty about this relation has been the little care and attention used in having precise notions of the things to which it is attributed.
2.

Identity of Substances.
We have the ideas but of three sorts of substances: 1.GOD.2.

FINITE INTELLIGENCES.3.

BODIES.
First, GOD is without beginning, eternal, unalterable, and everywhere, and therefore concerning his identity there can be no doubt.
Secondly, FINITE SPIRITS having had each its determinated time and place of beginning to exist, the relation to that time and place will always determine to each of them its identity, as long as it exists.
Thirdly, The same will hold of every PARTICLE OF MATTER, to which no addition or subtraction of matter being made, it is the same.