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    dence nor am under his inspection , I have no relation to such a Being , nor can he exercise any controvil over me . Indeed , neither of these Beings can have any cognizance of the other , or at all influence each other ' s condition .

    For , because each is self-sufficient , he cannot therefore acquire any greater perfection by any nearness to , or distaqce from the other , or lose any thing of his perfection : otherwise he would not be self-sufficient , . Therefore , though it be highly gratifying to an inquirer after truth to be able clearly

    to demonstrate an independent Being to be only one ; yet if it should happen that it cannot be clearly demonstrated , nothing seems to be thence detracted from the necessity and perfection of religion , because it is only one Being upon whom I depend . Such was the substance of that

    eminent person ' s discourse , so far as I understood him . I have not examined the train of argument in your Essay of Human Under standing i though I doubt not but you have proved that there is some Being on whom we depend , and

    that such a Being is eternal and selfsufficient . The argument to prove this is clear and convincing . But I know not whether you could thus prove that you depend on one Being alone , and could not depend upon more . The argument of that eminent

    person , indeed , implies that I depend on an eternal Being , but 1 have not yet seen it proved by him that I depend on one Being alone ; which only respects the first proposition * For in the second , it is laid down that besides that eternal Being on whom I

    depend , no other Being can be eternal- So that here it seems , probably , to be understood , that I depend on one Being alone , yet 1 have not ' found that distinctly proved , which is , however , necessary to be done before we proceed to the evidence of the second

    proposition . It is also to be examined whether , indeed , reason permit the supposition of eternal and self sufficient matter , for if a Being can be self sufficient and eternal , such an one must be every way perfect $ whence it follows , that matter , which

    is an inert substance , destitute of all life and motion , cannot possibly be understood to be eternal and self-sufficient .

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    That eminent person desired that I would inform you distinctly what kind of proofs he desires * He expressly directed me to send you his best respects . He thanks you for the pains you have taken to gratify him ; and regrets the afflicted state of yo » r

    health ; and if it should ill allow you to indulge profound speculations , he requests that you will not expose yourself to the fatigue of studies , burdensome in your state of ill health , or unfavourable to your recovery . In the mean time , he ardently wishes for

    you a firm and vigorous health ; and that , should that permit , you will greatly oblige him by sending your opinion of the second proposition as now stated by me , according to his views of the subject . You will judge for yourself concerning his method ,

    and what to answer . I only add , that when I read your letter to him he did not require a copy , but acquiesced in the terms which you had proposed . Had he made such a request I should have politely refused . But he had too much kindness thus

    to give me pain . It is quite time to leave off . Farewell , most worthy friend . Yours affectionately , P . a L 1 MBORCH .

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    No . 41 . John Locke to Philip ct Limborch . ( Lettre de M . Locke & M . Limborch . ) Oates , May < 21 * 1698 , Sir ,

    THOUGH my health will not allow me easily to indulge my desire to execute the orders of that great man who so favourably accepted my reflections , inconsiderable as they were , it is however certain that I could not

    sacrifice it on a worthier occasion than in pursuing the subject to which he calls my attention , and thus shewing my inclination to obey him . Yet this engagement will scarcely demand such a sacrifice , for if I do not hazard my reputation in his opinion , I am

    satisfied that nny health will not suffer by this correspondence . Having to do with one who reasons so clearly , and so fully comprehends the subject , I shall have no occasion to say much , to be understood . His great penetration will enable him at once to perceive how my arguments are » up-

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    218 The Correspondence between Locke and Linibofch , translated .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1819, page 218, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1771/page/6/