第3章

。Itistomeasufficientreasonnottobelievetheexistenceofanything，ifIseenoreasonforbelievingit。But，nottoinsistonreasonsforbelieving，youwillnotsomuchasletmeknowyouwouldhavemebelieve；sinceyousayyouhavenomannerofnotionofit。Afterall，letmeentreatyoutoconsiderwhetheritbelikeaphilosopher，orevenlikeamanofcommonsense，topretendtobelieveyouknownotwhat\'andyouknownotwhy。

。Hold，Philonous。WhenItellyouMatterisan，Idonotmeanaltogethernothing。ItistrueIknownottheparticularkindofinstrument；but，however，Ihavesomenotionof，whichIapplytoit。

。Butwhatifitshouldprovethatthereissomething，eveninthemostgeneralnotionof，astakeninadistinctsensefrom，whichmakestheuseofitinconsistentwiththeDivineattributes？

。MakethatappearandIshallgiveupthepoint。

。Whatmeanyoubythegeneralnatureornotionof？

。Thatwhichiscommontoallparticularinstrumentscomposeththegeneralnotion。

。Isitnotcommontoallinstruments，thattheyareappliedtothedoingthosethingsonlywhichcannotbeperformedbythemereactofourwills？Thus，forinstance，Ineveruseaninstrumenttomovemyfinger，becauseitisdonebyavolition。

ButIshoulduseoneifIweretoremovepartofarock，ortearupatreebytheroots。Areyouofthesamemind？{219}Or，canyoushewanyexamplewhereaninstrumentismadeuseofinproducinganeffectdependingonthewilloftheagent？

。IownIcannot。

。HowthereforecanyousupposethatanAll-perfectSpirit，onwhoseWillallthingshaveanabsoluteandimmediatedependence，shouldneedaninstrumentinhisoperations，or，notneedingit，makeuseofit？ThusitseemstomethatyouareobligedtoowntheuseofalifelessinactiveinstrumenttobeincompatiblewiththeinfiniteperfectionofGod；thatis，byyourownconfession，togiveupthepoint。

。ItdothnotreadilyoccurwhatIcanansweryou。

。But，methinksyoushouldbereadytoownthetruth，whenithasbeenfairlyprovedtoyou。Weindeed，whoarebeingsoffinitepowers，areforcedtomakeuseofinstruments。Andtheuseofaninstrumentsheweththeagenttobelimitedbyrulesofanother\'sprescription，andthathecannotobtainhisendbutinsuchaway，andbysuchconditions。Whenceitseemsaclearconsequence，thatthesupremeunlimitedagentusethnotoolorinstrumentatall。ThewillofanOmnipotentSpiritisnosoonerexertedthanexecuted，withouttheapplicationofmeans；which，iftheyareemployedbyinferioragents，itisnotuponaccountofanyrealefficacythatisinthem，ornecessaryaptitudetoproduceanyeffect，butmerelyincompliancewiththelawsofnature，orthoseconditionsprescribedtothembytheFirstCause，whoisHimselfabovealllimitationorprescriptionwhatsoever。

。IwillnolongermaintainthatMatterisaninstrument。However，Iwouldnotbeunderstoodtogiveupitsexistenceneither；since，notwithstandingwhathathbeensaid，itmaystillbean。

。HowmanyshapesisyourMattertotake？Or，howoftenmustitbeprovednottoexist，beforeyouarecontenttopartwithit？But，tosaynomoreofthis(thoughbyallthelawsofdisputationImayjustlyblameyouforsofrequentlychangingthesignificationoftheprincipalterm)——Iwouldfainknowwhatyoumeanbyaffirmingthatmatterisanoccasion，havingalreadydeniedittobeacause。And，whenyouhaveshewninwhatsenseyouunderstand，pray，inthenextplace，bepleasedtoshewmewhatreasoninducethyoutobelievethereissuchanoccasionofourideas？

。Astothefirstpoint:byImeananinactive{220}unthinkingbeing，atthepresencewhereofGodexcitesideasinourminds。

。Andwhatmaybethenatureofthatinactiveunthinkingbeing？

。Iknownothingofitsnature。

。Proceedthentothesecondpoint，andassignsomereasonwhyweshouldallowanexistencetothisinactive，unthinking，unknownthing。

。Whenweseeideasproducedinourminds，afteranorderlyandconstantmanner，itisnaturaltothinktheyhavesomefixedandregularoccasions，atthepresenceofwhichtheyareexcited。

。YouacknowledgethenGodalonetobethecauseofourideas，andthatHecausesthematthepresenceofthoseoccasions。

。Thatismyopinion。

。ThosethingswhichyousayarepresenttoGod，withoutdoubtHeperceives。

。Certainly；otherwisetheycouldnotbetoHimanoccasionofacting。

。Nottoinsistnowonyourmakingsenseofthishypothesis，oransweringallthepuzzlingquestionsanddifficultiesitisliableto:Ionlyaskwhethertheorderandregularityobservableintheseriesofourideas，orthecourseofnature，benotsufficientlyaccountedforbythewisdomandpowerofGod；andwhetheritdothnotderogatefromthoseattributes，tosupposeHeisinfluenced，directed，orputinmind，whenandwhatHeistoact，byanunthinkingsubstance？

And，lastly，whether，incaseIgrantedallyoucontendfor，itwouldmakeanythingtoyourpurpose；itnotbeingeasytoconceivehowtheexternalorabsoluteexistenceofanunthinkingsubstance，distinctfromitsbeingperceived，canbeinferredfrommyallowingthattherearecertainthingsperceivedbythemindofGod，whicharetoHimtheoccasionofproducingideasinus？

。Iamperfectlyatalosswhattothink，thisnotionofseemingnowaltogetherasgroundlessastherest。

。Doyounotatlengthperceivethatinallthesedifferentacceptationsof，youhavebeenonlysupposingyouknownotwhat，fornomannerofreason，andtonokindofuse？

。Ifreelyownmyselflessfondofmynotionssincetheyhavebeensoaccuratelyexamined。Butstill，methinks，I

havesomeconfusedperceptionthatthereissuchathingas。{221}

。EitheryouperceivethebeingofMatterimmediatelyormediately。Ifimmediately，prayinformmebywhichofthesensesyouperceiveit。Ifmediately，letmeknowbywhatreasoningitisinferredfromthosethingswhichyouperceiveimmediately。Somuchfortheperception。ThenfortheMatteritself，Iaskwhetheritisobject，，cause，instrument，oroccasion？Youhavealreadypleadedforeachofthese，shiftingyournotions，andmakingMattertoappearsometimesinoneshape，theninanother。Andwhatyouhaveofferedhathbeendisapprovedandrejectedbyyourself。IfyouhaveanythingnewtoadvanceIwouldgladlybearit。

。IthinkIhavealreadyofferedallIhadtosayonthoseheads。Iamatalosswhatmoretourge。

。Andyetyouareloathtopartwithyouroldprejudice。But，tomakeyouquititmoreeasily，Idesirethat，besidewhathasbeenhithertosuggested，youwillfartherconsiderwhether，upon。suppositionthatMatterexists，youcanpossiblyconceivehowyoushouldbeaffectedbyit。Or，supposingitdidnotexist，whetheritbenotevidentyoumightforallthatbeaffectedwiththesameideasyounoware，andconsequentlyhavetheverysamereasonstobelieveitsexistencethatyounowcanhave。

。Iacknowledgeitispossiblewemightperceiveallthingsjustaswedonow，thoughtherewasnoMatterintheworld；neithercanIconceive，iftherebeMatter，howitshouldproduce\'anyideainourminds。And，Idofarthergrantyouhaveentirelysatisfiedmethatitisimpossiblethereshouldbesuchathingasmatterinanyoftheforegoingacceptations。ButstillIcannothelpsupposingthatthereisinsomesenseorother。donotindeedpretendtodetermine。

。Idonotexpectyoushoulddefineexactlythenatureofthatunknownbeing。OnlybepleasedtotellmewhetheritisaSubstance；andifso，whetheryoucansupposeaSubstancewithoutaccidents；or，incaseyousupposeittohaveaccidentsorqualities，Idesireyouwillletmeknowwhatthosequalitiesare，atleastwhatismeantbyMatter\'ssupportingthem？

。Wehavealreadyarguedonthosepoints。Ihavenomoretosaytothem。But，topreventanyfartherquestions，letmetellyouIatpresentunderstandbyneithersubstancenoraccident，thinkingnorextendedbeing，neithercause，instrument，noroccasion，butSomethingentirelyunknown，distinctfromallthese。{222}

。ItseemsthenyouincludeinyourpresentnotionofMatternothingbutthegeneralabstractideaof。

。Nothingelse；saveonlythatIsuper-addtothisgeneralideathenegationofallthoseparticularthings，qualities，orideas，thatIperceive，imagine，orinanywiseapprehend。

。PraywheredoyousupposethisunknownMattertoexist？

。OhPhilonous!nowyouthinkyouhaveentangledme；

for，ifIsayitexistsinplace，thenyouwillinferthatitexistsinthemind，sinceitisagreedthatplaceorextensionexistsonlyinthemind。ButIamnotashamedtoownmyignorance。Iknownotwhereitexists；onlyIamsureitexistsnotinplace。Thereisanegativeanswerforyou。AndyoumustexpectnoothertoallthequestionsyouputforthefutureaboutMatter。

。Sinceyouwillnottellmewhereitexists，bepleasedtoinformmeafterwhatmanneryousupposeittoexist，orwhatyoumeanbyits？

。Itneitherthinksnoracts，neitherperceivesnorisperceived。

。Butwhatistherepositiveinyourabstractednotionofitsexistence？

。Uponaniceobservation，IdonotfindIhaveanypositivenotionormeaningatall。Itellyouagain，Iamnotashamedtoownmyignorance。Iknownotwhatismeantbyits，orhowitexists。

。Continue，goodHylas，toactthesameingenuouspart，andtellmesincerelywhetheryoucanframeadistinctideaofEntityingeneral，prescindedfromandexclusiveofallthinkingandcorporealbeings，allparticularthingswhatsoever。

。Hold，letmethinkalittle——Iprofess，Philonous，IdonotfindthatIcan。Atfirstglance，methoughtIhadsomediluteandairynotionofPureEntityinabstract；but，uponcloserattention，ithathquitevanishedoutofsight。ThemoreI

thinkonit，themoreamIconfirmedinmyprudentresolutionofgivingnonebutnegativeanswers，andnotpretendingtotheleastdegreeofanypositiveknowledgeorconceptionofMatter，its，its，its，oranythingbelongingtoit。

。When，therefore，youspeakoftheexistenceofMatter，youhavenotanynotioninyourmind？

。Noneatall。

。Praytellmeifthecasestandsnotthus——Atfirst，fromabeliefofmaterialsubstance，youwouldhaveitthatthe{223}immediateobjectsexistedwithoutthemind；thenthattheyarearchetypes；thencauses；nextinstruments；thenoccasions:lastly，whichbeinginterpretedproves。SoMattercomestonothing。Whatthinkyou，Hylas，isnotthisafairsummaryofyourwholeproceeding？

。Bethatasitwill，yetIstillinsistuponit，thatournotbeingabletoconceiveathingisnoargumentagainstitsexistence。

。Thatfromacause，effect，operation，sign，orothercircumstance，theremayreasonablybeinferredtheexistenceofathingnotimmediatelyperceived；andthatitwereabsurdforanymantoargueagainsttheexistenceofthatthing，fromhishavingnodirectandpositivenotionofit，Ifreelyown。But，wherethereisnothingofallthis；whereneitherreasonnorrevelationinducesustobelievetheexistenceofathing；wherewehavenotevenarelativenotionofit；whereanabstractionismadefromperceivingandbeingperceived，fromSpiritandidea:lastly，wherethereisnotsomuchasthemostinadequateorfaintideapretendedto——Iwillnotindeedthenceconcludeagainsttherealityofanynotion，orexistenceofanything；butmyinferenceshallbe，thatyoumeannothingatall；thatyouemploywordstonomannerofpurpose，withoutanydesignorsignificationwhatsoever。AndIleaveittoyoutoconsiderhowmerejargonshouldbetreated。

。Todealfranklywithyou，Philonous，yourargumentsseeminthemselvesunanswerable；buttheyhavenotsogreataneffectonmeastoproducethatentireconviction，thatheartyacquiescence，whichattendsdemonstration。IfindmyselfrelapsingintoanobscuresurmiseofIknownotwhat，。

。But，areyounotsensible，Hylas，thattwothingsmustconcurtotakeawayallscruple，andworkaplenaryassentinthemind，？Letavisibleobjectbesetinneversoclearalight，yet，ifthereisanyimperfectioninthesight，oriftheeyeisnotdirectedtowardsit，itwillnotbedistinctlyseen。

Andthoughademonstrationbeneversowellgroundedandfairlyproposed，yet，ifthereiswithalastainofprejudice，orawrongbiasontheunderstanding，canitbeexpectedonasuddentoperceiveclearly，andadherefirmlytothetruth？No；thereisneedoftimeandpains:theattentionmustbeawakenedanddetainedbyafrequentrepetitionofthesamethingplacedoftinthesame，oftindifferentlights。Ihavesaiditalready，andfindImuststillrepeatandinculcate，thatitisanunaccountablelicence{224}youtake，inpretendingtomaintainyouknownotwhat，foryouknownotwhatreason，toyouknownotwhatpurpose。Canthisbeparalleledinanyartorscience，anysectorprofessionofmen？Oristhereanythingsobarefacedlygroundlessandunreasonabletobemetwitheveninthelowestofcommonconversation？But，perhapsyouwillstillsay，Mattermayexist；thoughatthesametimeyouneitherknow

by，orbyits。Thisindeedissurprising，andthemoresobecauseitisaltogethervoluntary[andofyourownhead]，[6]younotbeingledtoitbyanyonereason；forI

challengeyoutoshewmethatthinginnaturewhichneedsMattertoexplainoraccountforit。

。ofthingscannotbemaintainedwithoutsupposingtheexistenceofMatter。Andisnotthis，thinkyou，agoodreasonwhyIshouldbeearnestinitsdefence？

。Therealityofthings!Whatthings？sensibleorintelligible？

。Sensiblethings。

。Mygloveforexample？

。That，oranyotherthingperceivedbythesenses。

。Buttofixonsomeparticularthing。Isitnotasufficientevidencetomeoftheexistenceofthis，thatIseeit，andfeelit，andwearit？Or，ifthiswillnotdo，howisitpossibleIshouldbeassuredoftherealityofthisthing，whichIactuallyseeinthisplace，bysupposingthatsomeunknownthing，whichIneverdidorcansee，existsafteranunknownmanner，inanunknownplace，orinnoplaceatall？Howcanthesupposedrealityofthatwhichisintangiblebeaproofthatanythingtangiblereallyexists？Or，ofthatwhichisinvisible，thatanyvisiblething，or，ingeneralofanythingwhichisimperceptible，thataperceptibleexists？DobutexplainthisandIshallthinknothingtoohardforyou。

。Uponthewhole，Iamcontenttoowntheexistenceofmatterishighlyimprobable；butthedirectandabsoluteimpossibilityofitdoesnotappeartome。

。ButgrantingMattertobepossible，yet，uponthataccountmerely，itcanhavenomoreclaimtoexistencethanagoldenmountain，oracentaur。

。Iacknowledgeit；butstillyoudonotdenyitispossible；andthatwhichispossible，foraughtyouknow，mayactuallyexist。

。Idenyittobepossible；andhave，ifImistakenot，{225}evidentlyproved，fromyourownconcessions，thatitisnot。Inthecommonsenseoftheword，isthereanymoreimpliedthananextended，solid，figured，moveablesubstance，existingwithoutthemind？Andhavenotyouacknowledged，overandover，thatyouhaveseenevidentreasonfordenyingthepossibilityofsuchasubstance？

。True，butthatisonlyonesenseoftheterm。

。Butisitnottheonlypropergenuinereceivedsense？And，ifMatter，insuchasense，beprovedimpossible，mayitnotbethoughtwithgoodgroundsabsolutelyimpossible？Elsehowcouldanythingbeprovedimpossible？Or，indeed，howcouldtherebeanyproofatallonewayorother，toamanwhotakesthelibertytounsettleandchangethecommonsignificationofwords？

。Ithoughtphilosophersmightbeallowedtospeakmoreaccuratelythanthevulgar，andwerenotalwaysconfinedtothecommonacceptationofaterm。

。Butthisnowmentionedisthecommonreceivedsenseamongphilosophersthemselves。But，nottoinsistonthat，haveyounotbeenallowedtotakeMatterinwhatsenseyoupleased？

Andhaveyounotusedthisprivilegeintheutmostextent；

sometimesentirelychanging，atothersleavingout，orputtingintothedefinitionofitwhatever，forthepresent，bestservedyourdesign，contrarytoalltheknownrulesofreasonandlogic？

Andhathnotthisshifting，unfairmethodofyoursspunoutourdisputetoanunnecessarylength；Matterhavingbeenparticularlyexamined，andbyyourownconfessionrefutedineachofthosesenses？Andcananymoreberequiredtoprovetheabsoluteimpossibilityofathing，thantheprovingitimpossibleineveryparticularsensethateitheryouoranyoneelseunderstandsitin？

。ButIamnotsothoroughlysatisfiedthatyouhaveprovedtheimpossibilityofMatter，inthelastmostobscureabstractedandindefinitesense。

……Whenisathingshewntobeimpossible？

。Whenarepugnancyisdemonstratedbetweentheideascomprehendedinitsdefinition。

。Butwheretherearenoideas，therenorepugnancycanbedemonstratedbetweenideas？

。Iagreewithyou。

。Now，inthatwhichyoucalltheobscureindefinitesenseoftheword，itisplain，byyourownconfession，there{226}wasincludednoideaatall，nosenseexceptanunknownsense；whichisthesamethingasnone。Youarenot，therefore，toexpectIshouldprovearepugnancybetweenideas，wheretherearenoideas；ortheimpossibilityofMattertakeninansense，thatis，nosenseatall。Mybusinesswasonlytoshewyoumeant；andthisyouwerebroughttoown。Sothat，inallyourvarioussenses，youhavebeenshewedeithertomeannothingatall，or，ifanything，anabsurdity。Andifthisbenotsufficienttoprovetheimpossibilityofathing，Idesireyouwillletmeknowwhatis。

。IacknowledgeyouhaveprovedthatMatterisimpossible；nordoIseewhatmorecanbesaidindefenceofit。

But，atthesametimethatIgiveupthis，Isuspectallmyothernotions。Forsurelynonecouldbemoreseeminglyevidentthanthisoncewas:andyetitnowseemsasfalseandabsurdaseveritdidtruebefore。ButIthinkwehavediscussedthepointsufficientlyforthepresent。TheremainingpartofthedayI

wouldwillinglyspendinrunningoverinmythoughtstheseveralheadsofthismorning\'sconversation，andtomorrowshallbegladtomeetyouhereagainaboutthesametime。

。willnotfailtoattendyou。{227}

THETHIRDDIALOGUE

Tellme，Hylas，[7]whatarethefruitsofyesterday\'smeditation？Hasitconfirmedyouinthesamemindyouwereinatparting？orhaveyousinceseencausetochangeyouropinion？

。Trulymyopinionisthatallouropinionsarealikevainanduncertain。Whatweapproveto-day，wecondemnto-morrow。

Wekeepastiraboutknowledge，andspendourlivesinthepursuitofit，when，alasIweknownothingallthewhile:nordoIthinkitpossibleforusevertoknowanythinginthislife。

Ourfacultiesaretoonarrowandtoofew。Naturecertainlyneverintendedusforspeculation。

。What!Sayyouwecanknownothing，Hylas？

。Thereisnotthatsinglethingintheworldwhereofwecanknowtherealnature，orwhatitisinitself。

。WillyoutellmeIdonotreallyknowwhatfireorwateris？

。Youmayindeedknowthatfireappearshot，andwaterfluid；butthisisnomorethanknowingwhatsensationsareproducedinyourownmind，upontheapplicationoffireandwatertoyourorgansofsense。Theirinternalconstitution，theirtrueandrealnature，youareutterlyinthedarkasto。

。DoInotknowthistobearealstonethatIstandon，andthatwhichIseebeforemyeyestobearealtree？

。？No，itisimpossibleyouoranymanaliveshouldknowit。Allyouknowis，thatyouhavesuchacertainideaorappearanceinyourownmind。Butwhatisthistotherealtreeorstone？Itellyouthatcolour，figure，andhardness，whichyouperceive，arenottherealnaturesofthosethings，orintheleastlikethem。Thesamemaybesaidofallotherrealthings，orcorporealsubstances，whichcomposetheworld。Theyhavenoneofthemanythingofthemselves，likethosesensiblequalitiesbyusperceived。Weshouldnotthereforepretendtoaffirmorknowanythingofthem，astheyareintheirownnature。

。Butsurely，Hylas，Icandistinguishgold，forexample，{228}fromiron:andhowcouldthisbe，ifIknewnotwhateithertrulywas？

。Believeme，Philonous，youcanonlydistinguishbetweenyourownideas。Thatyellowness，thatweight，andothersensiblequalities，thinkyoutheyarereallyinthegold？Theyareonlyrelativetothesenses，andhavenoabsoluteexistenceinnature。Andinpretendingtodistinguishthespeciesofrealthings，bytheappearancesinyourmind，youmayperhapsactaswiselyashethatshouldconcludetwomenwereofadifferentspecies，becausetheirclotheswerenotofthesamecolour。

。Itseems，then，wearealtogetherputoffwiththeappearancesofthings，andthosefalseonestoo。TheverymeatI

eat，andtheclothIwear，havenothinginthemlikewhatIseeandfeel。

。Evenso。

。Butisitnotstrangethewholeworldshouldbethusimposedon，andsofoolishastobelievetheirsenses？AndyetI

knownothowitis，butmeneat，anddrink，andsleep，andperformalltheofficesoflife，ascomfortablyandconvenientlyasiftheyreallyknewthethingstheyareconversantabout。

。Theydoso:butyouknowordinarypracticedoesnotrequireanicetyofspeculativeknowledge。Hencethevulgarretaintheirmistakes，andforallthatmakeashifttobustlethroughtheaffairsoflife。Butphilosophersknowbetterthings。

。Youmean，theythatthey。

。Thatistheverytopandperfectionofhumanknowledge。

。Butareyouallthiswhileinearnest，Hylas；andareyouseriouslypersuadedthatyouknownothingrealintheworld？Supposeyouaregoingtowrite，wouldyounotcallforpen，ink，andpaper，likeanotherman；anddoyounotknowwhatitisyoucallfor？

。HowoftenmustItellyou，thatIknownottherealnatureofanyonethingintheuniverse？Imayindeeduponoccasionmakeuseofpen，ink，andpaper。Butwhatanyoneofthemisinitsowntruenature，IdeclarepositivelyIknownot。

Andthesameistruewithregardtoevery，othercorporealthing。

And，whatismore，wearenotonlyignorantofthetrueandrealnatureofthings，butevenoftheirexistence。Itcannotbedeniedthatweperceivesuchcertainappearancesorideas；butitcannotbeconcludedfromthencethatbodiesreallyexist。{229}

Nay，nowIthinkonit，Imust，agreeablytomyformerconcessions，fartherdeclarethatitisimpossibleany

corporealthingshouldexistinnature。

。Youamazeme。Waseveranythingmorewildandextravagantthanthenotionsyounowmaintain:andisitnotevidentyouareledintoalltheseextravagancesbythebeliefof？Thismakesyoudreamofthoseunknownnaturesineverything。Itisthisoccasionsyourdistinguishingbetweentherealityandsensibleappearancesofthings。Itistothisyouareindebtedforbeingignorantofwhateverybodyelseknowsperfectlywell。Noristhisall:youarenotonlyignorantofthetruenatureofeverything，butyouknownotwhetheranythingreallyexists，orwhetherthereareanytruenaturesatall；forasmuchasyouattributetoyourmaterialbeingsanabsoluteorexternalexistence，whereinyousupposetheirrealityconsists。And，asyouareforcedintheendtoacknowledgesuchanexistencemeanseitheradirectrepugnancy，ornothingatall，itfollowsthatyouareobligedtopulldownyourownhypothesisofmaterialSubstance，andpositivelytodenytherealexistenceofanypartoftheuniverse。Andsoyouareplungedintothedeepestandmostdeplorablescepticismthatevermanwas。Tellme，Hylas，isitnotasIsay？

。Iagreewithyou。wasnomorethananhypothesis；andafalseandgroundlessonetoo。Iwillnolongerspendmybreathindefenceofit。Butwhateverhypothesisyouadvance，orwhatsoeverschemeofthingsyouintroduceinitsstead，Idoubtnotitwillappeareverywhitasfalse:letmebutbeallowedtoquestionyouuponit。Thatis，suffermetoserveyouinyourownkind，andIwarrantitshallconductyouthroughasmanyperplexitiesandcontradictions，totheverysamestateofscepticismthatImyselfaminatpresent。

。Iassureyou，Hylas，Idonotpretendtoframeanyhypothesisatall。Iamofavulgarcast，simpleenoughtobelievemysenses，andleavethingsasIfindthem。Tobeplain，itismyopinionthattherealthingsarethoseverythingsI

see，andfeel，andperceivebymysenses。TheseIknow；and，findingtheyanswerallthenecessitiesandpurposesoflife，havenoreasontobesolicitousaboutanyotherunknownbeings。A

pieceofsensiblebread，forinstance，wouldstaymystomachbetterthantenthousandtimesasmuchofthatinsensible，unintelligible，realbreadyouspeakof。Itislikewisemyopinionthatcoloursandothersensiblequalitiesareonthe{230}objects。Icannotformylifehelpthinkingthatsnowiswhite，andfirehot。Youindeed，whobyandfiremeancertainexternal，unperceived，unperceivingsubstances，areintherighttodenywhitenessorheattobeaffectionsinherentin。ButI，whounderstandbythosewordsthethingsIseeandfeel，amobligedtothinklikeotherfolks。And，asIamnoscepticwithregardtothenatureofthings，soneitheramIastotheirexistence。Thatathingshouldbereallyperceivedbymysenses，andatthesametimenotreallyexist，istomeaplaincontradiction；sinceIcannotprescindorabstract，eveninthought，theexistenceofasensiblethingfromitsbeingperceived。Wood，stones，fire，water，flesh，iron，andthelikethings，whichInameanddiscourseof，arethingsthatIknow。

AndIshouldnothaveknownthembutthatIperceivedthembymysenses；andthingsperceivedbythesensesareimmediatelyperceived；andthingsimmediatelyperceivedareideas；andideascannotexistwithoutthemind；theirexistencethereforeconsistsinbeingperceived；when，therefore，theyareactuallyperceivedtherecanbenodoubtoftheirexistence。Awaythenwithallthatscepticism，allthoseridiculousphilosophicaldoubts。Whatajestisitforaphilosophertoquestiontheexistenceofsensiblethings，tillhehathitprovedtohimfromtheveracityofGod；ortopretendourknowledgeinthispointfallsshortofintuitionordemonstration!Imightaswelldoubtofmyownbeing，asofthebeingofthosethingsIactuallyseeandfeel。

。Notsofast，Philonous:yousayyoucannotconceivehowsensiblethingsshouldexistwithoutthemind。Doyounot？

。Ido。

。Supposingyouwereannihilated，cannotyouconceiveitpossiblethatthingsperceivablebysensemaystillexist？

。can；butthenitmustbeinanothermind。WhenI

denysensiblethingsanexistenceoutofthemind，Idonotmeanmymindinparticular，butallminds。Now，itisplaintheyhaveanexistenceexteriortomymind；sinceIfindthembyexperiencetobeindependentofit。ThereisthereforesomeotherMindwhereintheyexist，duringtheintervalsbetweenthetimesof{231}myperceivingthem:aslikewisetheydidbeforemybirth，andwoulddoaftermysupposedannihilation。And，asthesameistruewithregardtoallotherfinitecreatedspirits，itnecessarilyfollowsthereisan，whichknowsandcomprehendsallthings，andexhibitsthemtoourviewinsuchamanner，andaccordingtosuchrules，asHeHimselfhathordained，andarebyustermedthe。

。Answerme，Philonous。Areallourideasperfectlyinertbeings？Orhavetheyanyagencyincludedinthem？

。Theyarealtogetherpassiveandinert。

。AndisnotGodanagent，abeingpurelyactive？

。Iacknowledgeit。

。Noideathereforecanbelikeunto，orrepresentthenatureofGod？

。Itcannot。

。SincethereforeyouhavenoofthemindofGod，howcanyouconceiveitpossiblethatthingsshouldexistinHismind？Or，ifyoucanconceivethemindofGod，withouthavinganideaofit，whymaynotIbeallowedtoconceivetheexistenceofMatter，notwithstandingIhavenoideaofit？

。Astoyourfirstquestion:IownIhaveproperlyno，eitherofGodoranyotherspirit；forthesebeingactive，cannotberepresentedbythingsperfectlyinert，asourideasare。Idoneverthelessknowthat1，whoamaspiritorthinkingsubstance，existascertainlyasIknowmyideasexist。

Farther，IknowwhatImeanbythetermsI；andI

knowthisimmediatelyorintuitively，thoughIdonotperceiveitasIperceiveatriangle，acolour，orasound。TheMind，Spirit，orSoulisthatindivisibleunextendedthingwhichthinks，acts，andperceives。Isay，becauseunextended；and，becauseextended，figured，moveablethingsareideas；andthatwhichperceivesideas，whichthinksandwills，isplainlyitselfnoidea，norlikeanidea。Ideasarethingsinactive，andperceived。AndSpiritsasortofbeingsaltogetherdifferentfromthem。Idonotthereforesaymysoulisanidea，orlikeanidea。However，takingthewordinalargesense，mysoulmaybesaidtofurnishmewithanidea，thatis，animageorlikenessofGod——thoughindeedextremelyinadequate。For，allthenotionIhaveofGodisobtainedbyreflectingonmyownsoul，heighteningitspowers，andremovingits{232}imperfections。Ihave，therefore，thoughnotaninactiveidea，yetinsomesortofanactivethinkingimageoftheDeity。And，thoughIperceiveHimnotbysense，yetIhaveanotionofHim，orknowHimbyreflexionandreasoning。

MyownmindandmyownideasIhaveanimmediateknowledgeof；

and，bythehelpofthese，domediatelyapprehendthepossibilityoftheexistenceofotherspiritsandideas。Farther，frommyownbeing，andfromthedependencyIfindinmyselfandmyideas，I

do，byanactofreason，necessarilyinfertheexistenceofaGod，andofallcreatedthingsinthemindofGod。Somuchforyourfirstquestion。Forthesecond:Isupposebythistimeyoucananswerityourself。ForyouneitherperceiveMatterobjectively，asyoudoaninactivebeingoridea；norknowit，asyoudoyourself，byareflexact，neitherdoyoumediatelyapprehenditbysimilitudeoftheoneortheother；noryetcollectitbyreasoningfromthatwhichyouknowimmediately。Allwhichmakesthecaseofwidelydifferentfromthatofthe。

[。YousayyourownsoulsuppliesyouwithsomesortofanideaorimageofGod。But，atthesametime，youacknowledgeyouhave，properlyspeaking，noofyourownsoul。Youevenaffirmthatspiritsareasortofbeingsaltogetherdifferentfromideas。Consequentlythatnoideacanbelikeaspirit。Wehavethereforenoideaofanyspirit。YouadmitneverthelessthatthereisspiritualSubstance，althoughyouhavenoideaofit；

whileyoudenytherecanbesuchathingasmaterialSubstance，becauseyouhavenonotionorideaofit。Isthisfairdealing？

Toactconsistently，youmusteitheradmitMatterorrejectSpirit。Whatsayyoutothis？

。say，inthefirstplace，thatIdonotdenytheexistenceofmaterialsubstance，merelybecauseIhavenonotionofit\'butbecausethenotionofitisinconsistent；or，inotherwords，becauseitisrepugnantthatthereshouldbeanotionofit。Manythings，foraughtIknow，mayexist，whereofneitherI

noranyothermanhathorcanhaveanyideaornotionwhatsoever。

Butthenthosethingsmustbepossible，thatis，nothing{233}

inconsistentmustbeincludedintheirdefinition。Isay，secondly，that，althoughwebelievethingstoexistwhichwedonotperceive，yetwemaynotbelievethatanyparticularthingexists，withoutsomereasonforsuchbelief:butIhavenoreasonforbelievingtheexistenceofMatter。Ihavenoimmediateintuitionthereof:neithercanIimmediatelyfrommysensations，ideas，notions，actions，orpassions，inferanunthinking，unperceiving，inactiveSubstance——eitherbyprobablededuction，ornecessaryconsequence。WhereasthebeingofmySelf，thatis，myownsoul，mind，orthinkingprinciple，Ievidentlyknowbyreflexion。YouwillforgivemeifIrepeatthesamethingsinanswertothesameobjections。Intheverynotionordefinitionof，thereisincludedamanifestrepugnanceandinconsistency。ButthiscannotbesaidofthenotionofSpirit。Thatideasshouldexistinwhatdothnotperceive，orbeproducedbywhatdothnotact，isrepugnant。But，itisnorepugnancytosaythataperceivingthingshouldbethesubjectofideas，oranactivethingthecauseofthem。Itisgrantedwehaveneitheranimmediateevidencenorademonstrativeknowledgeoftheexistenceofotherfinitespirits；butitwillnotthencefollowthatsuchspiritsareonafootwithmaterialsubstances:

iftosupposetheonebeinconsistent，anditbenotinconsistenttosupposetheother；iftheonecanbeinferredbynoargument，andthereisaprobabilityfortheother；ifweseesignsandeffectsindicatingdistinctfiniteagentslikeourselves，andseenosignorsymptomwhateverthatleadstoarationalbeliefofMatter。Isay，lastly，thatIhaveanotionofSpirit，thoughI

havenot，strictlyspeaking，anideaofit。Idonotperceiveitasanidea，orbymeansofanidea，butknowitbyreflexion。

。Notwithstandingallyouhavesaid，tomeitseemsthat，accordingtoyourownwayofthinking，andinconsequenceofyourownprinciples，itshouldfollowthatareonlyasystemoffloatingideas，withoutanysubstancetosupportthem。

Wordsarenottobeusedwithoutameaning。And，asthereisnomoremeaninginthanin，theoneistobeexplodedaswellastheother。

。HowoftenmustIrepeat，thatIknoworamconsciousofmyownbeing；andthatamnotmyideas，butsomewhatelse，athinking，activeprinciplethatperceives，knows，wifls，andoperatesaboutideas。IknowthatI，one{234}

andthesameself，perceivebothcoloursandsounds:thatacolourcannotperceiveasound，norasoundacolour:thatIamthereforeoneindividualprinciple，distinctfromcolourandsound；and，forthesamereason，fromaftothersensiblethingsandinertideas。But，IamnotinlikemannerconsciouseitheroftheexistenceoressenceofMatter。Onthecontrary，Iknowthatnothinginconsistentcanexist，andthattheexistenceofMatterimpliesaninconsistency。Farther，IknowwhatImeanwhenI

affirmthatthereisaspiritualsubstanceorsupportofideas，thatis，thataspiritknowsandperceivesideas。But，Idonotknowwhatismeantwhenitissaidthatanunperceivingsubstancehathinherentinitandsupportseitherideasorthearchetypesofideas。ThereisthereforeuponthewholenoparityofcasebetweenSpiritandMatter。][8]

。Iownmyselfsatisfiedinthispoint。But，doyouinearnestthinktherealexistenceofsensiblethingsconsistsintheirbeingactuallyperceived？Ifso；howcomesitthatallmankinddistinguishbetweenthem？Askthefirstmanyoumeet，andheshalltellyou，isonething，and

isanother。

。amcontent，Hylas，toappealtothecommonsenseoftheworldforthetruthofmynotion。Askthegardenerwhyhethinksyondercherry-treeexistsinthegarden，andheshalltellyou，becauseheseesandfeelsit；inaword，becauseheperceivesitbyhissenses。Askhimwhyhethinksanorange-treenottobethere，andheshalltellyou，becausehedoesnotperceiveit。Whatheperceivesbysense，thathetermsareal，being，andsaithit；but，thatwhichisnotperceivable，thesame，hesaith，hathnobeing。

。Yes，Philonous，Igranttheexistenceofasensiblethingconsistsinbeingperceivable，butnotinbeingactuallyperceived。

。Andwhatisperceivablebutanidea？Andcananideaexistwithoutbeingactuallyperceived？Thesearepointslongsinceagreedbetweenus。

。But，beyouropinionneversotrue，yetsurelyyouwillnotdenyitisshocking，andcontrarytothecommonsenseofmen。{235}Askthefellowwhetheryondertreehathanexistenceoutofhismind:whatanswerthinkyouhewouldmake？

。ThesamethatIshouldmyself，towit，thatitdothexistoutofhismind。ButthentoaChristianitcannotsurelybeshockingtosay，therealtree，existingwithouthismind，istrulyknownandcomprehendedby(thatis)theinfinitemindofGod。Probablyhemaynotatfirstglancebeawareofthedirectandimmediateproofthereisofthis；

inasmuchastheverybeingofatree，oranyothersensiblething，impliesamindwhereinitis。Butthepointitselfhecannotdeny。ThequestionbetweentheMaterialistsandmeisnot，whetherthingshaveaexistenceoutofthemindofthisorthatperson，butwhethertheyhaveanexistence，distinctfrombeingperceivedbyGod，andexteriortoallminds。

Thisindeedsomeheathensandphilosophershaveaffirmed，butwhoeverentertainsnotionsoftheDeitysuitabletotheHolyScriptureswillbeofanotheropinion。

。But，accordingtoyournotions，whatdifferenceistherebetweenrealthings，andchimerasformedbytheimagination，orthevisionsofadream——sincetheyareallequallyinthemind？

。Theideasformedbytheimaginationarefaintandindistinct；theyhave，besides，anentiredependenceonthewill。

Buttheideasperceivedbysense，thatis，realthings，aremorevividandclear；and，beingimprintedonthemindbyaspiritdistinctfromus，havenotthelikedependenceonourwill。Thereisthereforenodangerofconfoundingthesewiththeforegoing:

andthereisaslittleofconfoundingthemwiththevisionsofadream，whicharedim，irregular，andconfused。And，thoughtheyshouldhappentobeneversolivelyandnatural，yet，bytheirnotbeingconnected，andofapiecewiththeprecedingandsubsequenttransactionsofourlives，theymighteasilybedistinguishedfromrealities。Inshort，bywhatevermethodyoudistinguishonyourscheme，thesame，itisevident，willholdalsouponmine。For，itmustbe，Ipresume，bysomeperceiveddifference；andIamnotfordeprivingyouofanyonethingthatyouperceive。

。Butstill，Philonous，youhold，thereisnothingintheworldbutspiritsandideas。Andthis，youmustneedsacknowledge，soundsveryoddly。

。Iowntheword，notbeingcommonlyusedfor，soundssomethingoutoftheway。Myreasonforusingitwas，becauseanecessaryrelationtothemindisunderstoodto{236}beimpliedbythatterm；anditisnowcommonlyusedbyphilosopherstodenotetheimmediateobjectsoftheunderstanding。But，howeveroddlythepropositionmaysoundinwords，yetitincludesnothingsoverystrangeorshockinginitssense；whichineffectamountstonomorethanthis，towit，thatthereareonlythingsperceiving，andthingsperceived；orthateveryunthinkingbeingisnecessarily，andfrom-theverynatureofitsexistence，perceivedbysomemind；ifnotbyafinitecreatedmind，yetcertainlybytheinfinitemindofGod，inwhom\"wefive，andmove，andhaveourbeing。\"Isthisasstrangeastosay，thesensiblequalitiesarenotontheobjects:orthatwecannotbesureoftheexistenceofthings，orknowanythingoftheirrealnatures——thoughwebothseeandfeelthem，andperceivethembyalloursenses？

。And，inconsequenceofthis，mustwenotthinktherearenosuchthingsasphysicalorcorporealcauses；butthataSpiritistheimmediatecauseofallthephenomenainnature？Cantherebeanythingmoreextravagantthanthis？

。Yes，itisinfinitelymoreextravaganttosay——athingwhichisinertoperatesonthemind，andwhichisunperceivingisthecauseofourperceptions，[withoutanyregardeithertoconsistency，ortheoldknownaxiom，]。[9]Besides，thatwhichtoyou，Iknownotforwhatreason，seemssoextravagantisnomorethantheHolyScripturesassertinahundredplaces。InthemGodisrepresentedasthesoleandimmediateAuthorofallthoseeffectswhichsomeheathensandphilosophersarewonttoascribetoNature，Matter，Fate，orthelikeunthinkingprinciple。ThisissomuchtheconstantlanguageofScripturethatitwereneedlesstoconfirmitbycitations。

。Youarenotaware，Philonous，thatinmakingGodtheimmediateAuthorofallthemotionsinnature，youmakeHimtheAuthorofmurder，sacrilege，adultery，andthelikeheinoussins。

。Inanswertothat，Iobserve，first，thattheimputationofguiltisthesame，whetherapersoncommitsanactionwithorwithoutaninstrument。IncasethereforeyousupposeGodtoactbythemediationofaninstrumentoroccasion，called，youastrulymakeHimtheauthorofsinasI，whothinkHimtheimmediateagentinallthoseoperationsvulgarlyascribedtoNature。Ifartherobservethatsinormoralturpitude{237}dothnotconsistintheoutwardphysicalactionormotion，butintheinternaldeviationofthewillfromthelawsofreasonandreligion。Thisisplain，inthatthekillinganenemyinabattle，orputtingacriminallegallytodeath，isnotthoughtsinful；thoughtheoutwardactbetheverysamewiththatinthecaseofmurder。Since，therefore，sindothnotconsistinthephysicalaction，themakingGodanimmediatecauseofallsuchactionsisnotmakingHimtheAuthorofsin。Lastly，IhavenowheresaidthatGodistheonlyagentwhoproducesallthemotionsinbodies。ItistrueIhavedeniedthereareanyotheragentsbesidesspirits；butthisisveryconsistentwithallowingtothinkingrationalbeings，intheproductionofmotions，theuseoflimitedpowers，ultimatelyindeedderivedfromGod，butimmediatelyunderthedirectionoftheirownwills，whichissufficienttoentitlethemtoalltheguiltoftheiractions。

。ButthedenyingMatter，Philonous，orcorporealSubstance；thereisthepoint。Youcanneverpersuademethatthisisnotrepugnanttotheuniversalsenseofmankind。Wereourdisputetobedeterminedbymostvoices，Iamconfidentyouwouldgiveupthepoint，withoutgatheringthevotes。

。Iwishbothouropinionswerefairlystatedandsubmittedtothejudgmentofmenwhohadplaincommonsense，withouttheprejudicesofalearnededucation。Letmeberepresentedasonewhotrustshissenses，whothinksheknowsthethingsheseesandfeels，andentertainsnodoubtsoftheirexistence；andyoufairlysetforthwithallyourdoubts，yourparadoxes，andyourscepticismaboutyou，andIshallwillinglyacquiesceinthedeterminationofanyindifferentperson。Thatthereisnosubstancewhereinideascanexistbesidespiritistomeevident。Andthattheobjectsimmediatelyperceivedareideas，isonallhandsagreed。Andthatsensiblequalitiesareobjectsimmediatelyperceivednoonecandeny。Itisthereforeevidenttherecanbenoofthosequalitiesbutspirit；inwhichtheyexist，notbywayofmodeorproperty，butasathingperceivedinthatwhichperceivesit。Idenythereforethatthereis-oftheobjectsofsense，andthatthereisanymaterialsubstance。Butifbyismeantonly，whichisseenandfelt(andtheunphilosophicalpartoftheworld，I

daresay，meannomore)——thenIammorecertainofmatter\'sexistencethanyouoranyotherphilosopherpretendtobe。Iftherebeanythingwhichmakes，diegeneralityofmankind{238}

aversefromthenotionsIespouse，itisamisapprehensionthatI

denytherealityofsensiblethings。But，asitisyouwhoareguiltyofthat，andnot1，itfollowsthatintruththeiraversionisagainstyournotionsandnotmine。IdothereforeassertthatIamascertainasofmyownbeing，thattherearebodiesorcorporealsubstances(meaningthethingsIperceivebymysenses)；andthat，grantingthis，thebulkofmankindwilltakenothoughtabout，northinkthemselvesatallconcernedinthefateofthoseunknownnatures，andphilosophicalquiddities，whichsomemenaresofondof。

。Whatsayyoutothis？Since，accordingtoyou，menjudgeoftherealityofthingsbytheirsenses，howcanamanbemistakeninthinkingthemoonaplainlucidsurface，aboutafootindiameter；orasquaretower，seenatadistance，round；oranoar，withoneendinthewater，crooked？

。Heisnotmistakenwithregardtotheideasheactuallyperceives，butintheinferencehemakesfromhispresentperceptions。Thus，inthecaseoftheoar，whatheimmediatelyperceivesbysightiscertainlycrooked；andsofarheisintheright。Butifhethenceconcludethatupontakingtheoaroutofthewaterheshallperceivethesamecrookedness；

orthatitwouldaffecthistouchascrookedthingsarewonttodo:inthatheismistaken。Inlikemanner，ifheshallconcludefromwhatheperceivesinonestation，that，incaseheadvancestowardsthemoonortower，heshouldstillbeaffectedwiththelikeideas，heismistaken。Buthismistakeliesnotinwhatheperceivesimmediately，andatpresent，(itbeingamanifestcontradictiontosupposeheshoulderrinrespectofthat)butinthewrongjudgmenthemakesconcerningtheideasheapprehendstobeconnectedwiththoseimmediatelyperceived:or，concerningtheideasthat，fromwhatheperceivesatpresent，heimagineswouldbeperceivedinothercircumstances。ThecaseisthesamewithregardtotheCopernicansystem。Wedonothereperceiveanymotionoftheearth:butitwereerroneousthencetoconclude，that，incasewewereplacedatasgreatadistancefromthataswearenowfromtheotherplanets，weshouldnotthenperceiveitsmotion。

。Iunderstandyou；andmustneedsownyousaythingsplausibleenough。But，givemeleavetoputyouinmindof{239}

onething。Pray，Philonous，wereyounotformerlyaspositivethatMatterexisted，asyouarenowthatitdoesnot？

。Iwas。Buthereliesthedifference。Before，mypositivenesswasfounded，withoutexamination，uponprejudice；

butnow，afterinquiry，uponevidence。

。Afterall，itseemsourdisputeisratheraboutwordsthanthings。Weagreeinthething，butdifferinthename。Thatweareaffectedwithideasisevident；anditisnolessevidentthattheremustbe(Iwillnotsayarchetypes，but)Powerswithoutthemind，correspondingtothoseideas。And，asthesePowerscannotsubsistbythemselves，thereissomesubjectofthemnecessarilytobeadmitted；whichIcall，andyoucall。Thisisallthedifference。

。Pray，Hylas，isthatpowerfulBeing，orsubjectofpowers，extended？

。Ithathnotextension；butithaththepowertoraiseinyoutheideaofextension。

。Itisthereforeitselfunextended？

。Igrantit。

。Isitnotalsoactive？

。Withoutdoubt。Otherwise，howcouldweattributepowerstoit？

。Nowletmeaskyoutwoquestions:，Whetheritbeagreeabletotheusageeitherofphilosophersorotherstogivethenametoanunextendedactivebeing？And，，Whetheritbenotridiculouslyabsurdtomisapplynamescontrarytothecommonuseoflanguage？

。Wellthen，letitnotbecalledMatter，sinceyouwillhaveitso，butsomedistinctfromMatterandSpirit。ForwhatreasonistherewhyyoushouldcallitSpirit？

Doesnotthenotionofspiritimplythatitisthinking，aswellasactiveandunextended？

。Myreasonisthis:becauseIhaveamindtohavesomenotionofmeaninginwhatIsay:butIhavenonotionofanyactiondistinctfromvolition，neither。canIconceivevolitiontobeanywherebutinaspirit:therefore，whenIspeakofanactivebeing，IamobligedtomeanaSpirit。Beside，whatcanbeplainerthanthatathingwhichhathnoideasinitselfcannotimpartthemtome；and，ifithathideas，surelyitmustbeaSpirit。Tomakeyoucomprehendthepointstillmore{240}clearlyifitbepossible，Iassertaswellasyouthat，sinceweareaffectedfromwithout，wemustallowPowerstobewithout，inaBeingdistinctfromourselves。Sofarweareagreed。ButthenwedifferastothekindofthispowerfulBeing。IwillhaveittobeSpirit，youMatter，orIknownotwhat(Imayaddtoo，youknownotwhat)ThirdNature。Thus，IproveittobeSpirit。FromtheeffectsIseeproduced，Iconcludethereareactions；and，becauseactions，volitions；and，becausetherearevolitions，theremustbea。Again，thethingsIperceivemusthaveanexistence，theyortheirarchetypes，outofmind:but，beingideas，neithertheynortheirarchetypescanexistotherwisethaninanunderstanding；thereisthereforean。Butwillandunderstandingconstituteinthestrictestsenseamindorspirit。Thepowerfulcause，therefore，ofmyideasisinstrictproprietyofspeecha。

。AndnowIwarrantyouthinkyouhavemadethepointveryclear，littlesuspectingthatwhatyouadvanceleadsdirectlytoacontradiction。IsitnotanabsurditytoimagineanyimperfectioninGod？

。Withoutadoubt。

。Tosufferpainisanimperfection？

。Itis。

。ArewenotsometimesaffectedwithpainanduneasinessbysomeotherBeing？

。Weare。

。AndhaveyounotsaidthatBeingisaSpirit，andisnotthatSpiritGod？

。Igrantit。

。Butyouhaveassertedthatwhateverideasweperceivefromwithoutareinthemindwhichaffectsus。Theideas，therefore，ofpainanduneasinessareinGod；or，inotherwords，Godsufferspain:thatistosay，thereisanimperfectionintheDivinenature:which，youacknowledged，wasabsurd。Soyouarecaughtinaplaincontradiction。

。ThatGodknowsorunderstandsallthings，andthatHeknows，amongotherthings，whatpainis，eveneverysortofpainfulsensation，andwhatitisforHiscreaturestosufferpain，Imakenoquestion。But，thatGod，thoughHeknowsandsometimescausespainfulsensationsinus，canHimselfsufferpain，Ipositivelydeny。We，whoarelimitedanddependentspirits，areliabletoimpressionsofsense，theeffectsofan{241}externalAgent，which，beingproducedagainstourwills，aresometimespainfulanduneasy。ButGod，whomnoexternalbeingcanaffect，whoperceivesnothingbysenseaswedo；whosewillisabsoluteandindependent，causingallthings，andliabletobethwartedorresistedbynothing:itisevident，suchaBeingasthiscansuffernothing，norbeaffectedwithanypainfulsensation，orindeedanysensationatall。Wearechainedtoabody:thatistosay，ourperceptionsareconnectedwithcorporealmotions。Bythelawofournature，weareaffecteduponeveryalterationinthenervouspartsofoursensiblebody；whichsensiblebody，rightlyconsidered，isnothingbutacomplexionofsuchqualitiesorideasashavenoexistencedistinctfrombeingperceivedbyamind。Sothatthisconnexionofsensationswithcorporealmotionsmeansnomorethanacorrespondenceintheorderofnature，betweentwosetsofideas，orthingsimmediatelyperceivable。ButGodisaPureSpirit，disengagedfromallsuchsympathy，ornaturalties。NocorporealmotionsareattendedwiththesensationsofpainorpleasureinHismind。Toknoweverythingknowable，iscertainlyaperfection；buttoendure，orsuffer，orfeelanythingbysense，isanimperfection。Theformer，Isay，agreestoGod，butnotthelatter。Godknows，orhathideas；butHisideasarenotconveyedtoHimbysense，asoursare。Yournotdistinguishing，wherethereissomanifestadifference，makesyoufancyyouseeanabsurditywherethereisnone。

。But，allthiswhileyouhavenotconsideredthatthequantityofMatterhasbeendemonstratedtobeproportionedtothegravityofbodies。Andwhatcanwithstanddemonstration？

。Letmeseehowyoudemonstratethatpoint。