As sure, therefore, as the
sensible world really exists, so sure is there an infinite
omnipresent Spirit who contains and supports it.
. What! This is no more than I and all Christians hold;
nay, and all others too who believe there is a God, and that He
knows and comprehends all things.
. Aye, but here lies the difference. Men commonly
believe that all things are known or perceived by God, because
they believe the being of a God; whereas I, on the other side,
immediately and necessarily conclude the being of a God, because
all sensible things must be perceived by Him.
. But, so long as we all believe the same thing, what
matter is it how we come by that belief?
. But neither do we agree in the same opinion. For
philosophers, though they acknowledge all corporeal beings to be
perceived by God, yet they attribute to them an absolute
subsistence distinct from their being perceived by any mind
whatever; which I do not. Besides, is there no difference between
saying, , ;
and saying, ; , really exist>, Mind>: ? This
furnishes you with a direct and immediate demonstration, from a
most evident principle, of the .
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