ejfential to Matter, &c. 17

paragraph becomes plain also from consider-ing that resistance is the same with re-acti-bn; for since action and re-action are equal,the re-action of matter may still be greetefand greater, as the action upon it is greaterand greater*

XIII. But contrarily, if we consider thefame quantity os matter or body A, absolute-ly, and without any respect to a fixt state,the resistance of it is immutable* and alwaysas much the fame, as the solidity or extensi-on of it: so that it is impossible that any forceimpressed upon it ab extra , ihould take itultimately off, or lessen it, or encrease it; or,in a word, make it other than it always was,before such force was impressed. It is true,the resistance it makes to a change of its pre-sent state may be overcome; but then it makesjust as much resistance to persevere in thathew state, as in the former: and that resi-stance again may be overcome, and a newstate of motion or rest induced upon it; yetit will as obstinately continue in that state,as in any of the other two. And so on end-lesty. If any force ab extra overcomes thettnitency of the body A, to be moved withYol. I. C ave-