inaSiivity of Matter, &c. 197

could as easily affect the matter of the bodyimmediately, as the resisting matter of itsown vehicle. Besides, since we cannot con-ceive how any thing not matter should acton matter, or how matter should act on anything not matter; we are as much at a lossto conceive how the spirit acts on its vehicle,or it upon the spirit, as without that hypo-thesis. Thus much is certain, that since asolid extended substance, as such, is inactiveand dead, and yet is moved, it must be mov-ed by a substance not solidly extended, whe-ther we conceive the manner of it or not.The first Being , who is surely a pure Spirit,moves matter. This power of moving somematter, though in an infinitely small degree,it hath pleased him to impart to the humansoul*. For however it maybe joined, or mix-ed with matter, it is certain the motion ex-cited in matter must arise from the sub-stance purely spiritual; and that even thematter imagined to be blended or mixed withit, must be moved and actuated by what isnot matter; otherwise there would be no needof any immaterial substance. And on theother hand, if an immaterial substance isacted upon by matter, it can be no greaterrelief to the imagination, to suppose it act-O 3 ed