^40 DISSERTATION ON 



/elves from the mafs, and unite themfelves with the aquafortis, except 

 when they are very near or in conta(5t with it. 



The only thing further that remains to be oonfidered, is, whether 

 this motion, after the puUion has ceafed, does, by its nature, continue 

 for ever, if it be not flopped by the refiftence of the medium ? or, 

 whether it continues only for fome time, greater or lefs, as the im- 

 pulfe is more or lels violent. It cannot be proved, as I have obferved, 

 by any experiment, to be perpetual ; fo that, if it can be proved at all, 

 it mud be by arguments a prioriy or from the nature of the thing ; 

 but uiefe arguments appear to me to prove the contrary. 



It is a principle in metaphyfics and theology, that all the works of 

 God are like their great Author, eternal, in oneway or another; for, 

 fays Ariflotle, every thing participates of eternity and divinity, as far 

 as its nature will admit *. Some animals of the higher order, fuch as 

 we conceive angels and archangels, are no doubt eternal in the indivi- 

 duals. Other animals, fuch as men, and all the animals of this earth, 

 are eternal only by generation and fucceffion ; fo that they continue 

 the fame fpecificaUy^ if not numerically f. Inanimate bodies, again, 

 are diifolved, and appear in different forms and concretions. On 

 the other hand, the works of mortal creatures are, like themj mortaL 



debemur morti 



Nos noflraque. 



How, then, can wc imagine, that the punieft infed flioukl be able to 

 produce a motion which is, by its nature, eternal ? This is an effed 

 no ways adequate to the caufe ; and, as there can be nothing without 



& 



♦ De Jnima, lib. 2. cap. 4* 



•\ A^ii^u fiii euj^ '»5 «5'« >'« '». Arift. ibid* 



