I.o A VIS INERTIAE

remain in that state for ever, unless some ex-ternal cause or agent (that is, by the terms,something not matter) impressed a force uponit, to make a change in its present state (b).Of this external cause to matter, next. Butfirst some observations are to be made uponwhat is already said; the consequences ofthis resistance are to be enquired into ; andespecially the consequences of a contrary sup-position, that matter, namely, was divestedof such resistance: whereby it will appear,that matter without it would be fit for noneof those uses it is now fit for; that the ma-terial world, a plant, or (particularly) an ani-mal body, would be impossible things with-out it; and in sine, that matter, as a solid',extended substance, must resft.

IX. And first, though this resistance inmatter is real resistance, or certain and real

(b) If once we suppose matter existing, every changeof the manner or state of its existence requires an im-material cause, as shall be strewn in this section; and inthe last section of these papers it shall also be shewn, thatthe simple existence of matter, without considering anychange of state in it, requires an immaterial cause, orcreating -power : so that matter considered in any respectdiscovers to us an immaterial Being.

force