Hyl. They are.
Phil. And are sensible qualities anything else but ideas?
Hyl. How often have I acknowledged that they are not.
Phil. But is not motion a sensible quality?
Hyl. It is.
Phil. Consequently it is no action?
Hyl. I agree with you. And indeed it is very plain that when I stir my finger, it remains passive; but my will which produced the motion is active.
Phil. Now, I desire to know, in the first place, whether, motion being allowed to be no action, you can conceive any action besides volition: and, in the second place, whether to say something and conceive nothing be not to talk nonsense[839]: and, lastly, whether, having considered the premises, you do not perceive that to suppose any efficient or active Cause of our ideas, other than Spirit, is highly absurd and unreasonable?
Hyl. I give up the point entirely. But, though Matter may not be a cause, yet what hinders its being an instrument, subservient to the supreme Agent in the production of our ideas?
Phil. An instrument say you; pray what may be the figure, springs, wheels, and motions, of that instrument?