Chap. L APPENDIX. ^297 



ways, that is, by the Moving Power ceafing to energize ; but, in 

 pkfiOy itceafes from both caufes, but operating differently in different 

 circumftances, fo that fometimes the one contributes much more to 

 put an end to the Motion than the other. Of this we have daily 

 experience in the Motion of animals, where the Moving Power cea- 

 fes fooner or later, as the obftrudion of the Medium is greater or 

 lefs*. Cotes, therefore, in his Preface to the fecond edition of the 

 Prhicipia, is in the right, when he lays it down as a law of Nature, 

 * Ut a pluribus caiijis ah invicem non nihil di'verfts^ idempojjit effeclus 

 ' proficifci* Now, this Law of Nature the Newtonians deny, when 

 they fay that the ceafmg of Motion can be produced only by one 

 caufe. 



I fhall have done with the "uis infita when I have obferved, that 

 there are fome motions here on earth, which I think it is impof- 

 fible to account for by it, allowing it to have a real exiftence, 

 unlefs we are to fuppofe that it can begin as well as continue Mo- 

 tion ; for, how elfe can we account for the Motion of the tides by 

 2. vis infita f And here, I think, the Newtonians mu ft admit that 

 there is a Motion vv^ithout projedion, and not only without gravita- 

 tion, but in oppofition to it ; and, if they fay it is by a vis infita^ 

 they muft allow this vis can begin Motion as well as continue it or 

 otherwife they muft have recourfe to the laft refuge of Atheifm and 

 which it has been referved for the geniufes of modern times to find 

 out, among other wonderful difcoveries, viz. That Body canad: where 

 it is not, and, therefore, can move Bodies at a diftance from them 

 and without any other Bodies intervening ; — a notion which Sir 

 Ifaac Newton has declared, in the ftrongeft terms, to be altogether 

 abfurd t. But, upon the principles of my philofophy, it is eafily to 

 be explained, v^'ith the diftindion I have made betwixt one Motion 



"^OL. III. P p producing 



* Vol. ii. p. 365. 366. •• 

 t Vol. li. p. 37r. and 377. 



