therefore naturally immortal. 2 2H

suppose them contrary. What we suppose atendency of nature to a change in materialthings, is but the gradual effeSl of an exteriorcause , or immaterial power, working a changein them, as when iron exposed to the air isgradually consumed to rust, which is mis-taken for a -natural tendency, because of theslowness and imperceptibleness of the opera-tion (e). Another of our prejudices is, thatWe argue from a change of accidents of thefame substance, to a change of the substanceitself, (though a change of substance is im-properly called a change): and because someexterior thing is still effecting these changes ofaccidents, in such material objects as we aremost familiar with, we imagine that imma-terial substance or being may have a naturaltendency to decay or become nothing. ButRethinks we should quit this prejudice, whenWe fee, that even this change of accidents of

(e) Philosophers observe this is effected by a fermen-tation, which, by the last section, is no natural powerof matter. “ For air (says Sir Is. Newton, Opt. p. 355.)abounds with acid vapours fit to promote fermentations,as appears by rusting of iron and copper in it, the kind-ling of fire by blowing, and the beating of the heart byCleans of respiration,

natural