PHYSICAL AND LITERARY. 25 



no exertion of power to put an end to 

 thefe motions. The man has but to for- 

 bear to exert his power, and reft enfues. 

 In this matter there is no difference be- 

 twixt animate and inanimate beings ; not 

 even though it fhould be fuppofed, that 

 matter is altogether paffive. For, if mat- 

 ter itfeif has not a power of motion, the 

 fpirit which actuates matter cannot o- 

 therways preferve it in motion, but by a 

 continued exertion of power. 



The fecond propofition is almoft felf- 

 evident. To account for continuance at 

 reft, nothing is required except barely the 

 negation of a caufe. Btit matter at reft 

 not only continues in that ftate, but 

 plainly refifts every force which tends to 

 change ita ftate trom reft to motion. 

 Matter makes no reliftance to any caufe 

 which produces an alteration in its fi- 

 gure or colour. Refiftance is a pofitive 

 effe(ft which requires a pofitive caufe. 

 And thib property of refiftance, which all 

 matter is endued with, is a principle di- 

 redly oppofite to inertnefs or pafi^eity, if 

 I may ufethat term. Refiftance is plain- 

 ly 



