A new theory of vision : and other writings / [George] Berkeley ; introduction by A. D. Linsay.

  • George Berkeley
Date:
[1910]
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: A new theory of vision : and other writings / [George] Berkeley ; introduction by A. D. Linsay. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    evident to any one that is capable of the 'least reflection, than the existe?ice of God, or a Spirit who is intimately present to our minds, producing in them all that variety of ideas or sensations, which continually affect us, on whom we have an absolute and entire dependence, in short, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. That the discovery of this great truth, which lies so near and obvious to the mind, should be attained to by the reason of so very few, is a sad instance of the stupidity and inattention of men, who, though they are surrounded with such clear manifestations of the Deity, are yet so little affected by them, that they seem as it were blinded with excess of light. CL. Objection on' behalf of nature.—Answer.'—[But you will say, hath nature no share in the production of natural things, and must they be all ascribed to the immediate and sole operation of God ? I answer, if by nature is meant only the visible series of effects, or sen- sations imprinted on our minds according to certain fixed and general laws: then it is plain, that nature taken in this sense cannot produce any thing at all. But if by nature is meant some being distinct from God, as well as from the laws of nature, and things perceived by sense, I must confess that word is to me an empty sound, without any intelligible meaning an- nexed to it.] Nature in this acceptation is a vain chimera, introduced by those heathens, who had not just notions of the omnipresence and infinite perfec- tion of God. But it is more unaccountable, that it should be received among Christians professing belief in the holy scriptures, which constantly ascribe those effects to the immediate hand of God, that heathen philosophers are wont to impute to nature. The Lord, he causeth the vapours to ascend ; he maketh lightnings with rain ; he bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures, Jer. x. 13. He turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night, Amos v. 8. He visiteth the earth, and makeih it soft with showers: he blesseth the springing thereof, and crowneth the year with his goodness, so