528 DISSERTATION ON 



CHAP. IV. 



The Foundation of the Mechanical Philofophy is Sir Ifaac Newton's Firjt 

 Laiv of Motion, fo far as it relates to the perpetual Motion of Bodies 

 oncefet in Motion — This Propofition ought to he flridly examined^ as it 

 is of dangerous confequence to the DoShine of Theijm — The ivhole 

 Laiv conftdered—Tivo Parts of it undoubtedly true— the third Party 

 concerning the continuance of Motion^ only diJputed~The meaning of 

 vis infita, in this Laiv^ oppofed to vis imprefla — This Laiv relates 

 onh to ?notion produced by Bodily Impulfe, therefore cannot affeSi ivhat 

 has been faid of the Motion of the Celeflial Bodies by Mind^compre^ 

 bends the circular Motion as ivell as the re5lilineal — The Advantage 

 that the Atheifl ivill make of the Conceffion that Matter can move it' 



felf The Propofition^ if true, rnuft be either fe If evident or demon" 



fr able— not Selfc'vident — can only be demonjlrated a priori — The ^e- 

 flion altogether metaphyfical^Refi and Motion confounded in this Laiv 

 of Motion— Strange Inaccuracy of Expreffion — The ^leflion is concern^ 

 ing the Effence of Matter^ and ivhether Motion be effential to Matter 

 — That it is not effential to Matter^ proved by Jeveral Arguments 

 — Hozv the Motion is continued^ after the Pulfion has ceafed^ ac^ 

 counted for ^Th at this Motion is not continued for ever, proved by fe^ 

 veral Reafons — Objedion anfivcred. 



Think I have faid enough, In the preceding chapter, to fliow that 



the hypothefis of proje<5lion and gravitation is not only unnecef- 



fary, but impoiTible, upon the fuppofition of ihe celeftial bodies being 



moved by Mind immediately and diredly ; but, as I am very defirous 



to 



