In so far as the mind conceives a thing under the dictates of reason, it is affected equally, whether the idea be of a thing future, past, or present.
Proof .-- Whatsoever the mind conceives under the guidance of reason, it conceives under the form of eternity or necessity (II.
xliv.Coroll.

ii.), and is therefore affected with the same certitude (II.xliii.and note).

Wherefore, whether the thing be present, past, or future, the mind conceives it under the same necessity and is affected with the same certitude; and whether the idea be of something present, past, or future, it will in all cases be equally true (II.

xli.); that is, it will always possess the same properties of an adequate idea (II.Def.

iv.); therefore, in so far as the mind conceives things under the dictates of reason, it is affected in the same manner, whether the idea be of a thing future, past, or present.