_MADAM,_
Your _Author_ is pleased to say,[1] that _Matter is a Principle purely
passive, and no otherwise moved or modified, then as some other thing
moves and modifies it, but cannot move it self at all; which is most
demonstrable to them that contend for sense and perception in it: For
if it had any such perception, it would, by vertue of its self-motion
withdraw its self from under the knocks of hammers, or fury of the
fire; or of its own accord approach to such things as are most
agreeable to it, and pleasing, and that without the help of muscles, it
being thus immediately endowed with a self-moving power._ By his leave,
_Madam_, I must tell you, that I see no consequence in this argument;
Because some parts of matter cannot withdraw themselves from the force
and power of other parts, therefore they have neither sense, reason,
nor perception: For put the case, a man should be over-powr'd by some
other men, truely he would be forced to suffer, and no Immaterial
Spirits, I think, would assist him. The very same may be said of other
Creatures or parts of Nature; for some may over-power others, as the
fire, hammer and hand doth over-power a Horse-shooe, which cannot
prevail over so much odds of power and strength; And so likewise it is
with sickness and health, life and death; for example, some corporeal
motions in the body turning Rebels, by moving contrary to the health
of an animal Creature, it must become sick; for not every particular
creature hath an absolute power, the power being in the Infinite whole,
and not in single divided parts: Indeed, to speak properly, there is
no such thing as an absolute power in Nature; for though Nature hath
power to move it self, yet not beyond it self. But mistake me not, for
I mean by an absolute Power; not a circumscribed and limited, but an
unlimited power, no ways bound or confined, but absolutely or every way
Infinite, and there is not anything that has such an absolute power
but God alone: neither can Nature be undividable, being Corporeal or
Material; nor rest from motion being naturally self-moving, and in a
perpetual motion. Wherefore though Matter is self-moving, and very
wise, (although your _Author_ denies it, calling those Fools that
maintain this opinion)[2] yet it cannot go beyond the rules of its
Nature, no more then any Art can go beyond its Rules and Principles:
And as for what your _Author_ says, That every thing would approach to
that, which is agreeable and pleasant; I think I need no demonstration
to prove it; for we may plainly see it in all effects of Nature, that
there is Sympathy and Antipathy, and what is this else, but approaching
to things agreeable and pleasant, and withdrawing it self from things
disagreeable, and hurtful or offensive? But of this subject I shall
discourse more hereafter, wherefore I finish here, and rest,
Madam,
_Your Faithful Friend_
_and Servant._
[1] _Of the Immortality of the Soul, l._ 2., _c._ 1. _a._ 3.
[2] _In the Append. to the Antid. c._ 3. _a._ 10.