BOOK I PART III
qualities, with which it is endowed.
This opinion is certainly very curious, and
well worth our attention; but it will appear
superfluous to examine it in this place, if we
reflect a moment on our present purpose in
taking notice of it. We have established it as
a principle, that as all ideas are derived from
impressions, or some precedent perceptions, it
is impossible we can have any idea of power
and efficacy, unless some instances can be pro-
duced, wherein this power is perceived to ex-
ert itself. Now, as these instances can never be
discovered in body, the Cartesians, proceeding
upon their principle of innate ideas, have had
recourse to a supreme spirit or deity, whom
they consider as the only active being in the
universe, and as the immediate cause of every
alteration in matter. But the principle of in-