12$ ESSAYS ANt) OBSERVATIONS 



but deftroy old motion, at pleafure: 

 Whereas no experience can ever tell us, 

 that the beginning of the vifible motions 

 of dead matter is original and underived. 

 And there is this wide difference (which 

 hath been often remarked by authors on 

 this fubjedl) betwixt animated and inani- 

 mated beings, with refpc^ to motion, 

 namely, that the thinking being can de- 

 termine the diredlion and quantity of its 

 motion, which is a power incompatible 

 with dead matter ; and confequently it 

 will of itfelf remain for ever incapable of 

 the lead motion. Thus far therefore there 

 is a connexion betwixt motion and think- 

 ing, that a power of beginning motion 

 feems neCefTarily to infer a power of think- 

 ing ; though we cannot affirm inverfely, 

 that a power of thinking muft infer a 

 power of beginning motion. 



But, if the bare beginning of motioh 

 feems to require an intelligent caufe, the 

 power of gravity, furely, has the higheft 

 title to lay claim to that origin. Tlie 

 motions ariiing from gravity are evident- 

 ly of fuch a fort, as cannot, without tKe: 



greateft- 



