•when separated from the body. 34.7

XXVII. I shall in the last place take notice ofLit objection, which possibly may be started

concerning

Paragraphs, the appearance of thinking, or cogitation ,kerns to stand thus. The foul is sometimes in a hurry ofsought, and the transitions from object to object areQuicker than can be expressed. Then it becomes calmer2nd considers things at leisure; and it ma y-Jlacken andTenut its activity more and more, to a certain degree,*‘11 it can go no farther upon the fide of inactivity: butstill it must have some perception or other in view. And''dien we have come this length, if we would endeavourto keep this one solitary perception still in view, and beUo farther active, we shall find a prodigious difficulty init; or, to speak more truly, it is impossible with all thecare and attention we can bejlow. Now doth not thisstrew its, that when we would endeavour to be inactivebeyond a certain degree, we increase the activity by thatVery endeavour ? I may compare this effort of the foulto the descent of a pendulum, which can go no longerthan a certain point ; and a great force to descend makesIt but rife the higher on the other side. The compari-son only halts in this, that the pendulum will at last re-main in the lowest point ; but the foul cannot rest in thePerception of one solitary idea. It begins motion of it-self again, if I may so say, because of its active nature.All this is verified in our own experience. When wetornpose ourselves to sleep, and resolve to think no moretill next mQrning, the resolution has no effect. Thesoul hath various and innumerable thoughts still fucceed-\ n Z one another, which we may easily observe; till at

length.