Chap. XVIII. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. 245 



right, in fuppofing that there are bounds fet by Nature to the divi- 

 fion of matter, and that the elements of bodies are particles infi- 

 nitely hard, and therefore indivifible ; and which, from thence, are 

 called atoms. Whether thefe atoms have any life and motion in 

 them, or, whether the moving principle be given only to a certain 

 colledtion or aflbciation of them, I cannot pretend to determine ; but 

 it is evident, that the loco-motive Ufe can defcend no lower than to 

 atoms. 



As to the ivonder and miracle imputed to my fyftem, it would, in- 

 deed, I think, be fomething miraculous, if I fuppofed that all the 

 motions of this univerfe were produced by the immediate agency of 

 the Supreme Mind. But as, on the contrary, I fuppofe that all the 

 motions of the feveral bodies proceed immediately from inferior minds, 

 I fhould be glad to know how that can be called miraculous. How, 

 indeed, mind moves body, we cannot account : We may fay, there- 

 fore, that, to us, it is wonderful. But, for that, we are not the lefs 

 certain that it exifts. And, as it is a fadt of which we are daily 

 confcious, it cannot, I think, be faid to be even extraordinary. Fur- 

 ther, that Nature fhould a£t regularly and artificially, for a certain end, 

 without confcioufnefs or intelligence, cannot appear either miraculous 

 or extraordinary, as we know that we ourfelves frequently do fo *• 

 Lajlly^ Neither can it appear extraordinary and miraculous, that there 

 fhould be intelligence in the univerfe, when it is in our little bodies ; 

 or that, while the affairs of men are diredled by counfel and defign, 

 the great work of Nature, fo much more regular and artificial, 

 fhould go on at random, without any wifdom, forefight, or direc- 

 tion. 



It requires, therefore, I think, no extraordinary faith to believe in 

 my fyftem ; whereas, the Materialifls or Atheids, tliough they be 

 commonly called unbelievers, appear to me to be the grcatcfl believers 



of 



* See above, page 216. 



