Forcedoesnotadmitofexplanation，norofproperdefinition，anymorethanthehypotheticalsubstratumofmatter。IfweassumetheInfiniteasomnipresent，omniscient，omnipotent，wecannotsupposeHimexcludedfromanypartofHiscreation，exceptfromrebellioussoulswhichvoluntarilyexcludeHimbytheexerciseoftheirfatalprerogativeoffree-will。Force，then，istheactofimmanentDivinity。Ifindnomeaninginmechanicalexplanations。Newton’shypothesisofanetherfillingtheheavenlyspacesdoesnot，I
confess，helpmyconceptions。Iwill，andthemusclesofmyvocalorgansshapemyspeech。Godwills，andtheuniversearticulatesHispower，wisdom，andgoodness。ThatisallIknow。Thereisnobridgemymindcanthrowfromthe“immaterial“causetothe“material“
effect。
Theproblemofforcemeetsuseverywhere，andIprefertoencounteritintheworldofphysicalphenomenabeforereachingthatoflivingactions。Itisonlythenamefortheincomprehensiblecauseofcertainchangesknowntoourconsciousness，andassumedtobeoutsideofit。FormeitistheDeityHimselfinaction。
IcanthereforeseealargesignificanceinthesomewhatboldlanguageofBurdach：“Thereisformebutonemiracle，thatofinfiniteexistence，andbutonemystery，themannerinwhichthefiniteproceedsfromtheinfinite。Sosoonaswerecognizethisincomprehensibleactasthegeneralandprimordialmiracle，ofwhichourreasonperceivesthenecessity，butthemannerofwhichourintelligencecannotgrasp，sosoonaswecontemplatethenatureknowntousbyexperienceinthislight，thereisforusnootherimpenetrablemiracleormystery。“