362 On the Origin of Matter, 



thing that can be conceived or predicated of it, and is what 

 it is in itself, whatever is afllrmed of such substance, therefore, 

 can be no otherwise true tlian as it is found not to contradict 

 the properties and modes, which are discovered to be true re- 

 specting it, and which are essential in its nature. Thus the 

 doctrine of numbers is not applicable to particular substances, 

 except in a manner limited and determined by the properties 

 and modes of the existence of such substances themselves ; and 

 not in an arbitrary manner : — any other application of number 

 is merely ideal and notional ; for it is evident that in a sub- 

 stance, for instance, which is in itself a compound, the idea of 

 number is applicable accoi'ding to the several simples, unities, 

 or elementary parts of which it is compounded ; whereas the 

 Huities, or simples, which form it, in themselves, individually 

 considered, admit of no application of number whatever; but 

 that of unity only. To divide ajirstjyrinciple is to destroy it! 



Number, therefore, is the natural measure of what is com- 

 pounded ; unity is the measure of what is simple: if it be not 

 so, and if number be universally applicable to all substances, 

 then there is no such thing as a simple substance, and by con- 

 sequence no such thing as a First Cause, or Original Entity 

 or Substance ; — which is absurd. And this leads again to the 

 conclusion, that all compounds whatever must be formed from 

 simples or primaries. But as the primaries or simples which 

 form material compounds, are not in themselves First Causes, 

 that is, they are not self-subsisting, but created and derived, — 

 it follows, that they must be simple effects, resulting from causes 

 of a superior order : — we will endeavour, therefore, to enter 

 into a somewhat further investigation of their nature. 



If there be any substance in itself simple, and thus, in its 

 present or actual state of existence, incapable of being divided, 

 such substance will be, in its present or actual state of existence, 

 incapable of being modified; for every modification of such sub- 

 stance, w/z//^ it remains in its present or actual state of existence, 

 presupposes re-arrangement ; and there can be no re-arrange- 

 ment without parts, which it has not : it follows then, if a simple 

 particle of matter cannot, in its jn-esefit or actual state of ex- 

 istence, be at all modified, because it is without parts, — that in 

 order to its being modified it must be resolved into something 

 of a totally different nature, and not material ; and which 

 may be called immaterial .- for an indivisible material particle 

 may thus be con(.eived of as creatable and created from an 

 immateiial or spiritual origin, or substance ; — as a natural 

 simple effect, resulting from a spiritual cause. 



To say that such simple and indivisible paxlicle of matter 

 cannot be modified at all, is to suppose it uncreatable in itself, 



thus 



