After all is said (sayes Eleutherius) I have yet something to Object, that I cannot but think considerable, since Carneades Himself alledg’d it as such; for, (continues Eleutherius smiling) I must make bold to try whether you can as luckily answer your own Arguments, as those of your Antagonists, I mean (pursues he) that part of your Concessions, wherein you cannot but remember that you supply’d your Adversaries with an Example to prove that there may be Elementary Bodies, by taking Notice that Gold may be an Ingredient in a multitude of differing Mixtures, and yet retain its Nature, notwithstanding all that the Chymists by their Fires and Corrosive Waters are able to do to Destroy it.
Yo os insinué suficientemente en aquel tiempo (responde Carneades) que propuse este Ejemplo principalmente para mostraros cómo se puede concebir que la Naturaleza ha hecho los Elementos, no para probar que efectivamente haya hecho alguno; y ya sabéis que la inferencia de a posse ad esse no es válida. Pero (continúa Carneades) para responder más directamente a la Objeción sacada del Oro, debo deciros que, aunque sé muy bien que varios de los más prudentes Químicos se han quejado de los Químicos