128 The consequences of the

it cannot have inconsistent and contradictorypowers; and that, since the exciting motionin itself depends on this, we are as certainthat it is not self-moving, as if we knev/every thing belonging to it. Nor yet mustwe forget what was observed from Dr. Clarkeabove, that matter is only capable of one ne-gative power, viz. That every part of it voidalways and necesta'nly remain in the state ofrest or motion , wherein it at present is.

XIV. This will help us to determine whatis properly to be understood by mechanicalmotion, by a machine and mechanism, ac-cording to the conclusion N° 26. of the lastsection; which is necessary to be done, inorder to strew how the divine power producesmechanical motion in our bodies. By nit'chanical motion can only be meant motion eX'cited in matter , by other matter in motion,by means of the necessary resistance it makes tobe brought to rest. Nothing else canmeant by it without a contradiction; for aparticle of matter, that necessarily resists *change of its state of motion, cannot ps°"duce a change in another particle, that a snecessarily resists a change of its state of rest)