Chap. IV. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. 31 



meter, and energizes according to that habit, that is, demonftrates 

 geometrical propofitions, does htfiiffer ? And Ariftotle, and his com- 

 mentator on the palTage above quoted, fay, that he does not ; becaufe 

 there is no change of quality •> but only the bringing of Jjabit in- 

 to perfection by exertion. For the fame reafon, he cannot be fald to 

 aB^ becaufe he produces no change of quality ; yet he energizes. E- 

 very energy^ therefore, of a habit formed, is not action^ unlefs it pro- 

 duce a change of quality upon fomething : And, with this diftindion, 

 we are to underfland the general pofuion above laid down, ' That 

 * the energies of formed habits fell under the category of adion.'^ 



The idea, therefore, of energy, is more general than that of afiion, 

 and comprehends it ; for, v^^hatever acfs, energizes ; but not 'vice verfa. 

 And hence it is, that energy is applied to all beings, even the Supreme 

 -Being, vvho is fald, by Ariftotle, to be all energy, without mere poijjer 

 or capacity ; which, in its nature, is fomething imperfedt and defec- 

 tive, and therefore cannot be afcribed to the Supreme Being *. Nei- 

 ther can this Being be properly faid to aB, unlefs where he produces 

 changes upon any fubjedt ; and far lefs can he be faid tojuffer : But 

 energy applies properly to all the operations of fuch a being ; and it 

 is, as 1 have obferved, energy without ceafing, and without tranfition 

 from one thing to another. 



As all generation and corruption are produced hy aSling 2iV\di fuffer'- 

 27igy and as generation and corruption aie continually going on in this 

 lower world, it is evident, that the two great principles of nature arc, 

 that which alwa) s ac/s, and that which always Jujjers f : And this 



brings 



* Ariftot. Metaphyf. Jib, 14. cap. 6. 7. 8. 



t To the i'auicpuipoic is ;i p^illigc in,.in older book of phllofopliy ft'll than the works of 

 Archyras, \ bolievc; the cldcft extant, of whufi authduicicy wc aic ciic.iin, aiui from the 

 fame ic\.\oo\,viz. Ocellus Lucanu^ , v-howrit^'s, ^rs^* tov :7x»rti. Th*.- wjrds are, A, li /^c^xt 

 tlvreet 6»c^i'C,o'J3-f Kut riiivcvTi to TtanratlU; f^i^^i rcu y.ic-f^ou Kxi «x.<>>jT#y; \\ tn.rc OalCjWho hiispu- 



blilhcd 



