BOOK I PART III
No internal impression has an apparent energy,
more than external objects have. Since, there-
fore, matter is confessed by philosophers to op-
erate by an unknown force, we should in vain
hope to attain an idea of force by consulting our
own minds.^8
It has been established as a certain princi-
ple, that general or abstract ideas are nothing
but individual ones taken in a certain light, and
that, in reflecting on any object, it is as impos-
(^8) The same imperfection attends our ideas of the De-
ity; but this can have no effect either on religion or
morals. The order of the universe proves an omnipo-
tent mind; that is, a mind whose will isconstantly at-
tendedwith the obedience of every creature and being.
Nothing more is requisite to give a foundation to all the
articles of religion, nor is It necessary we shoud form
a distinct idea of the force and energy of the supreme
Being.