第3章
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佚名字数：21757更新时间：18/12/14 14:46:02
。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。
