I do not understand how our ideas, which are things
altogether passive and inert, can be the essence, or any part (or
like any part) of the essence or substance of God, who is an
{214} impassive, indivisible, pure, active being. Many more
difficulties and objections there are which occur at first view
against this hypothesis; but I shall only add that it is liable
to all the absurdities of the common hypothesis, in making a
created world exist otherwise than in the mind of a Spirit.
Besides all which it hath this peculiar to itself; that it makes
that material world serve to no purpose. And, if it pass for a
good argument against other hypotheses in the sciences, that they
suppose Nature, or the Divine wisdom, to make something in vain,
or do that by tedious roundabout methods which might have been
performed in a much more easy and compendious way, what shall we
think of that hypothesis which supposes the whole world made in
vain?
. But what say you? Are not you too of opinion that we
see all things in God? If I mistake not, what you advance comes
near it.
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