Berkeley, George
"Three Dialogues Between Hylas And Philonous"
. It doth not readily occur what I can answer you.
. But, methinks you should be ready to own the truth,
when it has been fairly proved to you. We indeed, who are beings
of finite powers, are forced to make use of instruments. And the
use of an instrument sheweth the agent to be limited by rules of
another's prescription, and that he cannot obtain his end but in
such a way, and by such conditions. Whence it seems a clear
consequence, that the supreme unlimited agent useth no tool or
instrument at all. The will of an Omnipotent Spirit is no sooner
exerted than executed, without the application of means; which,
if they are employed by inferior agents, it is not upon account
of any real efficacy that is in them, or necessary aptitude to
produce any effect, but merely in compliance with the laws of
nature, or those conditions prescribed to them by the First
Cause, who is Himself above all limitation or prescription
whatsoever.
. I will no longer maintain that Matter is an
instrument.
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