21 
that “ the force a given quantity of matter exercises, remains 
always the same. ,J But this assertion does not take account 
of any distinction between one kind of force and another. As 
far as regards the passive forces above mentioned, inasmuch 
as these are inherent in atoms, it may well be admitted that 
the non-annihilation, or the annihilation, of the force and the 
matter must go together. But since, as I conceive, it has been 
shown that matter is destructible, it follows that this kind of 
force, apart from the active force not in like manner attached 
to the atoms which constitute visible and tangible substances, 
may come to an end. I cannot forbear adverting here to an 
analogy of much interest between the modes of operation by 
which the Governor of the Universe effects His purposes in 
His natural kingdom and in His spiritual kingdom. As was 
said in sec. 21, natural effects are produced by the antagonistic 
tendencies of active and passive forces, and by the prevailing 
of the former over the other. So also, it would seem, in the 
existing economy of God’s spiritual kingdom, the powers of 
good and evil are antagonistic, until by the eventual subduing 
of the latter, the final purpose of the spiritual creation is 
accomplished. Possibly the conception of such an analogy 
may have given rise to the idea, so long and so widely enter- 
tained, of a connection between matter and evil. 
27. I beg to take this occasion to say that the philosophy 
which I have now and before advocated, is utterly opposed to 
the Agnosticism, which, in recent publications, has been so 
much insisted upon. I think that some defenders of Scriptural 
truth have given great advantage to sceptical writers by the 
admissions they have made respecting the unknowable. For 
myself I do not hesitate to express the view (already main- 
tained in part in this essay), that the Author and Ruler of the 
world purposely ordered His works and His ways, both in the 
natural kingdom and the spiritual kingdom, so that they may 
be understood by intelligence such as ours, and may conse- 
quently communicate to us a knowledge of Himself. This 
belief accords with the philosophy taught by the Apostle Paul, 
where he says, “ that which is known (to yvuxrrov) of God is 
manifest in them (tv avrolg) ; for God hath showed it to them. 
For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, 
are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, 
even His eternal power and Godhead” (Rom. i. 19, 20). In 
agreement with the apostle’s words, “ manifest in them,” I 
have made reference, in the course of argument, to information 
derivable from personal consciousness. 
28. I propose to conclude this essay with taking account 
of an argument, drawn from the assumed indestructibility 
