Chap.IX. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. 459 



is moved^ — 'I think I have fliown, that the Syftem of the Heavens, as 

 explained by Matter and Mechanifm, is exceedingly perplexed and 

 intricate, if not altogether inconceivable, even if we are to mix 

 Mind with Matter, and afcribe the Motions of the Planets partly to 

 both: Whereas the Moving Power of thofe Bodies, according to 

 my Syflem, is as obvious, and known to us as much, or more, I 

 think, than any of the phaenomena of Nature ; becaufe we know 

 it by Confcioufnefs, the inoft certain of all knowledge. The Power 

 I mean, is that which moves our own Bodies : And, therefore, if a 

 man only believe that his Body does not move itfelf, but is moved 

 by his Mind, he will have no difficulty to comprehend how the 

 Planets are moved. 



And, in general, I obferve, that the Mechanical Syftem Is of much 

 more difficult comprehenfion than any Philofopliy of Mind, even 

 the moft myfterious parts of the Theology of Plato, and of his later 

 difciples of the Alexandrian School, fuch as Plotinus and Proclus. 

 How difficult it is to explain upon that Syftem the Motion of the 

 Celeftial Bodies, I have already ftiown ; nor is the difficulty lefs to 

 explain the Motions here on Earth. For, upon what Principles 

 of Matter and Mechanifm, by what Fluids, or Ethers, or Spirits, 

 can we account for the various Attractions and Repulfions of dif- 

 ferent Bodies, and of the fame Bodies, upon different Occafions ? 

 whereas, upon my Syftem, it is as eafy to account for all thefe Mo- 

 tions, as for the Motions of our own Bodies, though, as I have 

 obferved, it may be difficult in many Cafes to affign the Final Caufe 

 of them. 



As the knowledge of God is the end of all Philofophy, and the 

 perfedion of human nature, and as God is only to be known by his 

 works, I will conclude with obferving, that the Philofophy of Mind, 

 applied to the Motions of the Celeftial Bodies, gives us a much 



M m m 2 higher 



