PHYSICAL anp LITERARY. 11 
ftriét and invariable laws which govern mat- 
ter, fuppofing it to have a power of motion. 
Therefore, the hiftory of nature will be the 
fame, upon either fuppofition. Atthe fame 
time, as this hypothetis not only contradiéts 
common fenfe, but, in place of a beautiful 
chain of caufes and effects, difcoverable in 
the operations of matter, prefents a deform- 
ed andcrnde fcene, which detraéts from the 
wifdom of the deity; I think it of confe- 
quence to beftow fome thoughts upon it: and, 
I am hopeful to make it evident, that this 
hypothefis is no better {upported by reafon 
than by experience, 
To put an end toa good deal of loofe rea- 
foning upon this fubject, it will be neceflary 
to afcertain the meaning of of the terms maze- 
rial and immaterial ; which, fo far as I know, 
has not been done with fufficient accuracy. 
Allbeingsand exiftencies muft be either ma- 
terial or immaterial; or, in other words, 
mu{t be matter or not matter: therefore, if 
we know what is matter, we cannot be at a 
lofs about what is not matter. I take it for 
granted, that we have no conception of mat- 
ter but as fubftance or body, endued with co- 
lour, figure, extenfion, impenetrability, or 
other 
