whenseparatedfrom the body. 307

In turning to them; and that this incesiant acti-on would be more a fatigue, or rather tortureto it* than any thing else, giving it, as it'Vere, a vertigo, in continually whirling from°bject to object. But in answer to this, it isbe observed, that the soul is not only ac-tive, when first it applies itself to the consi-deration of any object; but incessantly active,all the time it is considering that object. Theapplying the perceptivity to it, is the change°f action, the end of one, and the beginning°f another; but the continued application toit, is that action continued, or the first act ofVvilling still kept up. For, since to will is toact; to continue the will, is to continue theaction; and to will without intermission, isto act without intermission. Give me leaveto illustrate this, by a familiar comparison*^Vssien a man takes first hold of any thing, apiece of iron , v. g. with a pair of tongs orpincers, he acts, or begins an action; but theaction is continued, all the time he holds theiron, be it as long as it will, till he quits thisbold for another, or this piece of iron foranother. And though he should do nothinghut hold it; yet he doth something when heholds it, by the terms: he continues theX 2 action.