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word_n proper_a sense_n signification_n 2,806 5 9.7840 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A28982 A free enquiry into the vulgarly receiv'd notion of nature made in an essay address'd to a friend / by R.B., Fellow of the Royal Society. Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. 1686 (1686) Wing B3979; ESTC R11778 140,528 442

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account_n as_o they_o think_v of_o religion_n against_o the_o care_n i_o take_v to_o decline_v the_o frequent_a use_n of_o that_o word_n nature_n in_o the_o vulgar_a notion_n of_o it_o reserve_v to_o another_o and_o fit_a place_n some_o other_o thing_n that_o may_v relate_v to_o the_o theological_a scruple_n if_o any_o occur_v to_o i_o that_o our_o free_a inquiry_n may_v occasion_v the_o philosophical_a reason_n that_o incline_v i_o to_o forbear_v as_o much_o as_o convenient_o i_o can_v the_o frequent_a use_n of_o the_o word_n nature_n and_o the_o form_n of_o speech_n that_o be_v derive_v from_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o term_n of_o great_a ambiguity_n on_o which_o score_n i_o have_v observe_v that_o be_v frequent_o and_o unwary_o employ_v it_o have_v occasion_v much_o darkness_n and_o confusion_n in_o many_o man_n write_n and_o discourse_n and_o i_o little_a doubt_n but_o that_o other_o will_v make_v the_o like_a observation_n if_o early_o prejudices_fw-la and_o universal_a custom_n do_v not_o keep_v they_o from_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o nor_o do_v i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v by_o the_o just_a veneration_n i_o owe_v and_o pay_v religion_n to_o make_v use_n of_o a_o term_n so_o inconvenient_a to_o philosophy_n for_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o for_o many_o age_n the_o israelite_n that_o then_o be_v the_o only_a people_n and_o church_n of_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o word_n nature_n in_o the_o vulgar_a notion_n of_o it_o moses_n in_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o creation_n where_o it_o have_v be_v so_o proper_a to_o bring_v in_o this_o first_o of_o second_o cause_n have_v not_o a_o word_n of_o nature_n and_o whereas_o philosopher_n presume_v that_o she_o by_o her_o plastic_a power_n and_o skill_n form_n plant_n and_o animal_n out_o of_o the_o universal_a matter_n the_o divine_a historian_n ascribe_v the_o formation_n of_o they_o to_o god_n immediate_a fiat_n gen._n i_o 11._o and_o god_n say_v let_v the_o earth_n bring_v forth_o grass_n and_o the_o herb_n yield_v seed_n and_o the_o fruit_n tree_n yield_v fruit_n after_o his_o kind_n etc._n etc._n and_o again_o vers._n 24_o god_n say_v let_v the_o earth_n bring_v forth_o the_o live_a creature_n after_o its_o kind_n etc._n etc._n vers._n 25_o and_o god_n without_o any_o mention_n of_o nature_n make_v the_o beast_n of_o the_o earth_n after_o his_o kind_n and_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v that_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o any_o one_o hebrew_a word_n that_o proper_o signify_v nature_n in_o the_o sense_n we_o take_v it_o in_o and_o it_o seem_v that_o our_o english_a translator_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v not_o more_o fortunate_a in_o that_o than_o i_o for_o have_v purposely_o consult_v a_o late_a concordance_n i_o find_v not_o that_o word_n nature_n in_o any_o text_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o likewise_o though_o job_n david_n and_o solomon_n and_o other_o israelitish_n writer_n do_v on_o divers_a occasion_n many_o time_n mention_v the_o corporeal_a work_n of_o god_n yet_o they_o do_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o nature_n which_o our_o philosopher_n will_v have_v his_o great_a vicegerent_n in_o what_o relate_v to_o they_o to_o which_o perhaps_o it_o may_v not_o be_v impertinent_a to_o add_v that_o though_o the_o late_a famous_a rabbi_n menasseh_n ben_n israel_n have_v purposely_o write_v a_o book_n of_o numerous_a problem_n touch_v the_o creation_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v that_o he_o employ_v the_o word_n nature_n in_o the_o receive_a notion_n of_o it_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o any_o of_o god_n mundane_a creature_n and_o when_o st._n paul_n himself_o who_o be_v no_o stranger_n to_o the_o heathen_a learning_n write_v to_o the_o corinthian_n who_o be_v greek_o speak_v of_o the_o production_n of_o corn_n out_o of_o seed_n sow_v he_o do_v not_o attribute_v the_o produce_v body_n to_o nature_n but_o when_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o a_o grain_n of_o wheat_n 38._o or_o some_o other_o seed_n put_v into_o the_o ground_n he_o add_v that_o god_n give_v it_o such_o a_o body_n as_o he_o please_v and_o to_o every_o seed_n it_o be_v own_o body_n i._n e._n the_o body_n belong_v to_o its_o kind_n and_o a_o great_a than_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o the_o gaudiness_n of_o the_o lily_n or_o as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o tulip_n use_v this_o expression_n if_o god_n so_o clothe_v the_o grass_n of_o the_o field_n etc._n etc._n matt._n vi_fw-la 28_o 29_o 30._o the_o celebration_n that_o david_n job_n and_o other_o holy_a hebrew_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n make_v a_o occasion_n of_o the_o admirable_a work_n they_o contemplate_v in_o the_o universe_n be_v address_v direct_o to_o god_n himself_o without_o take_v notice_n of_o nature_n of_o this_o i_o can_v multiply_v instance_n but_o shall_v here_o for_o brevity_n sake_n be_v content_v to_o name_v a_o few_o take_v from_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n alone_o in_o the_o hundred_o of_o those_o hymn_n the_o penman_n of_o it_o make_v this_o that_o god_n have_v make_v we_o the_o ground_n of_o a_o exhortation_n to_o enter_v into_o his_o gate_n with_o thanksgiving_n and_o into_o his_o court_n with_o praise_n psal._n lxxix_o 34._o and_o in_o another_o let_v the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n praise_n god_n that_o be_v give_v man_n ground_n and_o occasion_n to_o praise_n him_n congruous_o to_o what_o david_n elsewhere_o say_v to_o the_o great_a creator_n of_o the_o universe_n all_o thy_o work_n be_v shall_v praise_v thou_o o_o lord_n and_o thy_o saint_n shall_v bless_v thou_o psal._n cxlv_o 10._o and_o in_o another_o of_o the_o sacred_a hymn_n the_o same_o royal_a poet_n say_v to_o his_o maker_n thou_o have_v cover_v i_o in_o my_o mother_n womb_n i_o will_v praise_v thou_o for_o i_o be_o fearful_o and_o wonderful_o make_v marvellous_a be_v thy_o work_n and_o that_o my_o soul_n know_v right_a well_o psal._n cxxxix_o 13_o 14._o i_o have_v sometime_o doubt_v whether_o one_o may_v not_o on_o this_o occasion_n add_v that_o if_o man_n will_v need_v take_v in_o a_o be_v subordinate_a to_o god_n for_o the_o management_n of_o the_o world_n it_o seem_v more_o consonant_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o depute_v angel_n to_o that_o charge_n than_o nature_n for_o i_o consider_v that_o as_o to_o the_o celestial_a part_n of_o the_o universe_n in_o comparison_n of_o which_o the_o sublunary_a be_v not_o perhaps_o the_o ten-thousandth_a part_n both_o the_o heathen_a aristotelian_n and_o the_o school_n philosopher_n among_o the_o christian_n teach_v the_o celestial_a orb_n to_o be_v move_v or_o guide_v by_o intelligence_n or_o angel_n and_o as_o to_o the_o low_a or_o sublunary_a world_n beside_o that_o the_o holy_a write_n teach_v we_o that_o angel_n have_v be_v often_o employ_v by_o god_n for_o the_o government_n of_o kingdom_n as_o be_v evident_a out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n and_o the_o welfare_n and_o punishment_n of_o particular_a person_n one_o of_o those_o glorious_a spirit_n be_v in_o the_o apocalypse_n express_o style_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o water_n 5._o which_o title_n divers_a learned_a interpreter_n think_v to_o be_v give_v he_o because_o of_o his_o charge_n or_o office_n to_o oversee_v and_o preserve_v the_o water_n and_o i_o remember_v that_o in_o the_o same_o book_n there_o be_v mention_v make_v of_o a_o angel_n that_o have_v power_n 18._o authority_n or_o jurisdiction_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d over_o the_o fire_n and_o though_o the_o excellent_a grotius_n give_v another_o conjecture_n of_o the_o title_n give_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o water_n yet_o in_o his_o note_n upon_o the_o next_o verse_n save_o one_o 7._o he_o teach_v that_o there_o be_v a_o angel_n appoint_v to_o preserve_v the_o soul_n that_o be_v keep_v under_o the_o altar_n there-mentioned_a and_o if_o we_o take_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o water_n to_o be_v the_o guardian_n or_o conserver_n of_o they_o perhaps_o as_o the_o roman_n in_o who_o empire_n st._n john_n write_v have_v special_a officer_n to_o look_v to_o their_o aqueduct_n and_o other_o water_n it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o observe_v upon_o the_o by_o that_o he_o be_v introduce_v praise_v he_o and_o his_o fellow-spirit_n great_a creator_n which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o religion_n that_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v none_o of_o the_o naturist_n whether_o pagan_a or_o even_a christian_n ever_o mention_v their_o nature_n to_o have_v perform_v i_o know_v it_o may_v on_o this_o occasion_n be_v allege_v that_o subordinata_fw-la non_fw-la pugnant_fw-la and_o nature_n be_v god_n vicegerent_n her_o work_n be_v indeed_o he_o but_o that_o he_o have_v such_o a_o vicegerent_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a business_n of_o this_o discourse_n to_o call_v in_o question_n and_o till_o the_o affirmative_a be_v solid_o prove_v nay_o and_o though_o it_o be_v so_o i_o hope_v i_o shall_v be_v excuse_v if_o with_o
that_o liquor_n to_o tend_v downward_o and_o actual_o to_o fall_v down_o if_o it_o be_v not_o external_o hinder_v but_o when_o water_n ascend_v by_o suction_n in_o a_o pump_n or_o other_o instrument_n that_o motion_n be_v contrary_a to_o that_o which_o be_v wont_v be_v make_v in_o virtue_n of_o a_o more_o catholic_n law_n of_o nature_n by_o which_o it_o be_v provide_v that_o a_o great_a pressure_n which_o in_o our_o case_n the_o water_n suffer_v from_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o incumbent_a air_n shall_v surmount_v a_o lesser_a such_o as_o be_v here_o the_o gravity_n of_o the_o water_n that_o ascend_v in_o the_o pump_n or_o pipe_n the_o two_o forego_v observation_n may_v be_v far_o illustrate_v by_o consider_v in_o what_o sense_n man_n speak_v of_o thing_n which_o they_o call_v preternatural_a or_o else_o contrary_a to_o nature_n for_o divers_a if_o not_o most_o of_o their_o expression_n of_o this_o kind_n argue_v that_o nature_n be_v in_o they_o take_v for_o the_o particular_a and_o subordinate_a or_o as_o it_o be_v the_o municipal_a law_n establish_v among_o body_n thus_o water_n when_o it_o be_v intense_o hot_a be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o a_o preternatural_a state_n because_o it_o be_v in_o one_o that_o it_o be_v not_o usual_a to_o it_o and_o man_n think_v do_v not_o regular_o belong_v to_o it_o though_o the_o fire_n or_o sun_n that_o thus_o agitate_v it_o and_o put_v it_o into_o this_o state_n be_v confess_v to_o be_v a_o natural_a agent_n and_o be_v not_o think_v to_o act_v otherwise_o than_o according_a to_o nature_n thus_o when_o a_o spring_n forcible_o bend_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n contrary_n to_o its_o nature_n as_o be_v argue_v from_o its_o incessant_a endeavour_n to_o remove_v the_o compress_a body_n this_o state_n whether_o preternatural_a or_o contrary_a to_o nature_n shall_v be_v think_v such_o but_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o springy_a body_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v as_o agreeable_a to_o the_o grand_a law_n that_o obtain_v among_o thing_n corporeal_a that_o such_o a_o spring_n shall_v remain_v bend_v by_o the_o degree_n of_o force_n that_o actual_o keep_v it_o so_o as_o that_o it_o shall_v display_v itself_o in_o spite_n of_o a_o less_o or_o incompetent_a degree_n of_o force_n and_o to_o omit_v the_o six_o non-natural_a thing_n so_o much_o speak_v of_o by_o physician_n i_o must_v here_o take_v notice_n that_o though_o a_o disease_n be_v general_o reckon_v as_o a_o preternatural_a thing_n or_o as_o other_o carry_v the_o notion_n further_o a_o state_n contrary_n to_o nature_n yet_o that_o must_v be_v understand_v only_o with_o reference_n to_o what_o customary_o happen_v to_o a_o human_a body_n since_o excessive_o cold_a wind_n and_o immoderate_a rain_n and_o sultry_a air_n and_o other_o usual_a cause_n of_o disease_n be_v as_o natural_a agent_n and_o act_n as_o agreeable_o to_o the_o catholic_n law_n of_o the_o universe_n when_o they_o produce_v disease_n as_o when_o they_o condense_a the_o cloud_n into_o rain_n or_o snow_n blow_v ship_n into_o their_o harbour_n make_v river_n overflow_v ripen_v corn_n and_o fruit_n and_o do_v such_o other_o thing_n whether_o they_o be_v hurtful_a or_o beneficial_a to_o men._n and_o upon_o a_o like_a account_n when_o monster_n be_v say_v to_o be_v preternatural_a thing_n the_o expression_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v with_o regard_n to_o that_o particular_a species_n of_o body_n from_o which_o the_o monster_n do_v enormous_o deviate_v though_o the_o cause_n that_o produce_v that_o deviation_n act_n but_o according_a to_o the_o general_a law_n whereby_o thing_n corporeal_a be_v guide_v 3._o i_o doubt_v whether_o i_o shall_v add_v as_o a_o three_o remark_n or_o as_o somewhat_o that_o be_v referrable_a to_o one_o or_o both_o of_o the_o two_o forego_v that_o sometime_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o nature_n perform_v this_o or_o that_o thing_n we_o be_v not_o to_o conceive_v that_o this_o thing_n be_v a_o effect_n real_o produce_v by_o other_o than_o by_o proper_a physical_a cause_n or_o agent_n but_o in_o such_o expression_n we_o be_v rather_o to_o look_v upon_o nature_n either_o as_o a_o relative_n thing_n or_o as_o a_o term_n employ_v to_o denote_v a_o notional_a thing_n with_o reference_n whereunto_o physical_a cause_n be_v consider_v as_o act_v after_o some_o peculiar_a manner_n whereby_o we_o may_v distinguish_v their_o operation_n from_o those_o that_o be_v produce_v by_o other_o agent_n or_o perhaps_o by_o the_o same_o consider_v as_o act_v in_o another_o way_n this_o i_o think_v may_v be_v illustrate_v by_o some_o other_o receive_v expression_n or_o form_n of_o speech_n as_o when_o many_o of_o the_o ancient_n and_o some_o of_o the_o modern_a philosopher_n have_v say_v that_o thing_n be_v bring_v fatal_o to_o pass_v they_o do_v not_o mean_a that_o fate_n be_v a_o distinct_a and_o separate_a agent_n but_o only_o that_o the_o physical_a cause_n perform_v the_o effect_n as_o in_o their_o act_n they_o have_v a_o necessary_a dependence_n upon_o one_o another_o or_o a_o inviolable_a connexion_n that_o link_v they_o together_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n when_o man_n say_v as_o they_o too_o frequent_o do_v that_o fortune_n or_o chance_n 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o aristotle_n and_o his_o follower_n distinguish_v they_o ascribe_v to_o the_o former_a what_o unexpected_o happen_v to_o deliberate_v or_o design_v and_o to_o the_o late_a what_o happen_v to_o inanimate_a or_o undesigning_a being_n have_v do_v this_o or_o that_o considerate_a philosopher_n do_v not_o look_v upon_o fortune_n or_o chance_n as_o a_o true_a and_o distinct_a physical_a cause_n but_o as_o a_o notional_a thing_n that_o denote_v that_o the_o proper_a agent_n produce_v the_o effect_n without_o a_o intention_n to_o do_v so_o as_o i_o have_v more_o full_o declare_v in_o the_o four_o section_n one_o may_v for_o aught_o i_o know_v without_o impertinence_n refer_v to_o this_o our_o three_o observation_n that_o many_o thing_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v attribute_v to_o time_n as_o when_o we_o say_v that_o time_n ripen_v some_o fruit_n that_o be_v too_o early_o gather_v that_o it_o make_v many_o thing_n moulder_v and_o decay_v tempus_fw-la edax_fw-la rerum_fw-la that_o it_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o truth_n that_o it_o produce_v great_a alteration_n both_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o man_n and_o in_o their_o disposition_n and_o their_o body_n to_o omit_v many_o other_o vulgar_a expression_n which_o represent_v time_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o several_a thing_n whereof_o real_o it_o be_v but_o a_o adjunct_n or_o a_o concomitant_a of_o the_o effect_n however_o coincident_a with_o the_o successive_a part_n of_o time_n and_o so_o some_o way_n relate_v to_o it_o be_v indeed_o produce_v by_o other_o agent_n that_o be_v their_o true_a and_o proper_a efficient_n sometime_o likewise_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o nature_n do_v this_o or_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o effect_n be_v produce_v by_o a_o distinct_a or_o separate_a be_v but_o on_o such_o occasion_n the_o word_n nature_n be_v to_o be_v concei●●d_v to_o signify_v a_o complex_n or_o convention_n of_o all_o the_o essential_a property_n or_o necessary_a quality_n that_o belong_v to_o a_o body_n of_o that_o species_n whereof_o the_o real_a agent_n be_v or_o to_o more_o body_n respective_o if_o more_o must_v concur_v to_o the_o production_n of_o the_o effect_n to_o this_o sense_n we_o be_v to_o expound_v many_o of_o those_o form_n of_o speech_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v employ_v when_o physician_n or_o other_o speak_v of_o what_o nature_n do_v in_o reference_n to_o disease_n or_o the_o cure_n of_o they_o and_o to_o give_v a_o right_a sense_n to_o such_o expression_n i_o consider_v nature_n not_o as_o a_o principal_a and_o distinct_a agent_n but_o a_o kind_n of_o compound_v accident_n that_o be_v as_o it_o be_v make_v up_o of_o or_o result_v from_o the_o divers_a property_n and_o quality_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o true_a agent_n and_o that_o the_o name_n of_o a_o compound_v accident_n may_v not_o be_v startle_v at_o i_o shall_v to_o explain_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o it_o observe_z that_o as_o there_o be_v some_o quality_n or_o accident_n that_o at_o least_o in_o comparison_n of_o other_o may_v be_v call_v simple_a as_o roundness_n straightness_n heat_n gravi●●_n etc._n etc._n so_o there_o be_v other_o that_o may_v be_v conceive_v as_o compound_v or_o make_v up_o of_o several_a quality_n unite_v in_o one_o subject_a as_o in_o divers_a pigment_n greenness_n be_v make_v up_o of_o blue_n and_o yellow_a exquisite_o mix_v beauty_n be_v make_v up_o of_o fit_a colour_n take_v feature_n just_a stature_n fine_a shape_n graceful_a motion_n and_o some_o other_o accident_n of_o the_o human_a body_n and_o its_o part_n and_o of_o this_o sort_n of_o compound_v accident_n
helmont_n who_o just_o reject_v the_o aristotelian_a tenent_n of_o the_o contrariety_n or_o hostility_n of_o the_o element_n will_v have_v every_o body_n without_o any_o such_o respect_n to_o act_v that_o which_o it_o be_v command_v to_o act_n and_o indeed_o this_o opinion_n about_o nature_n though_o neither_o clear_a nor_o comprehensive_a enough_o seem_v capable_a of_o a_o fair_a construction_n and_o there_o be_v oftentimes_o some_o resemblance_n between_o the_o orderly_a and_o regular_a motion_n of_o inanimate_a body_n and_o the_o action_n of_o agent_n that_o in_o what_o they_o do_v act_n conformable_o to_o law_n and_o even_o i_o sometime_o scruple_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o law_n of_o motion_n and_o rest_n that_o god_n have_v establish_v among_o thing_n corporeal_a and_o now_o and_o then_o for_o brevity_n sake_n or_o out_o of_o custom_n to_o call_v they_o as_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n have_v in_o due_a place_n declare_v in_o what_o sense_n i_o understand_v and_o employ_v these_o expression_n but_o to_o speak_v strict_o as_o become_v philosopher_n in_o so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n to_o say_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o or_o that_o body_n be_v but_o the_o law_n of_o god_n prescribe_v to_o it_o be_v but_o a_o improper_a and_o figurative_a expression_n for_o beside_o that_o this_o give_v we_o but_o a_o very_a defective_a idea_n of_o nature_n since_o it_o omit_v the_o general_a fabric_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o contrivance_n of_o particular_a body_n which_o yet_o be_v as_o well_o necessary_a as_o local_a motion_n itself_o to_o the_o production_n of_o particular_a effect_n and_o phaenomena_n beside_o this_o i_o say_v and_o other_o imperfection_n of_o this_o notion_n of_o nature_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o here_o insist_v on_o i_o must_v free_o observe_v that_o to_o speak_v proper_o a_o law_n be_v but_o a_o notional_a rule_n of_o act_v according_a to_o the_o declare_a will_n of_o a_o superior_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o nothing_o but_o a_o intellectual_a be_v can_v be_v proper_o capable_a of_o receive_v and_o act_v by_o a_o law_n for_o if_o it_o do_v not_o understand_v it_o can_v know_v what_o the_o will_n of_o the_o legislator_n be_v nor_o can_v it_o have_v any_o intention_n to_o accomplish_v it_o nor_o can_v it_o act_v with_o regard_n to_o it_o or_o know_v when_o it_o do_v in_o act_v either_o conform_a to_o it_o or_o deviate_v from_o it_o and_o it_o be_v intelligible_a to_o i_o that_o god_n shall_v at_o the_o beginning_n impress_v determinate_a motion_n upon_o the_o part_n of_o matter_n and_o guide_v they_o as_o he_o think_v requisite_a for_o the_o primordial_a constitution_n of_o thing_n and_o that_o ever_o since_o he_o shall_v by_o his_o ordinary_a and_o general_a concourse_n maintain_v those_o power_n which_o he_o give_v the_o part_n of_o matter_n to_o transmit_v their_o motion_n thus_o and_o thus_o to_o one_o another_o but_o i_o can_v conceive_v how_o a_o body_n devoid_a of_o understanding_n and_o sense_n true_o so_o call_v can_v moderate_v and_o determine_v its_o own_o motion_n especial_o so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o conformable_a to_o law_n that_o it_o have_v no_o knowledge_n or_o apprehension_n of_o and_o that_o inanimate_a body_n how_o strict_o soever_o call_v natural_a do_v proper_o act_v by_o law_n can_v be_v evince_v by_o their_o sometime_o act_v regular_o and_o as_o man_n think_v in_o order_n to_o determinate_a end_n since_o in_o artificial_a thing_n we_o see_v many_o motion_n very_o orderly_o perform_v and_o with_o a_o manifest_a tendency_n to_o particular_a and_o pre-designed_a end_n as_o in_o a_o watch_n the_o motion_n of_o the_o spring_n wheel_n and_o other_o part_n be_v so_o contemperate_v and_o regulate_v that_o the_o hand_n upon_o the_o dyal_n move_v with_o a_o great_a uniformity_n and_o seem_v to_o moderate_v its_o motion_n so_o as_o not_o to_o arrive_v at_o the_o point_n that_o denote_v the_o time_n of_o the_o day_n either_o a_o minute_n soon_o or_o a_o minute_n late_a than_o it_o shall_v do_v to_o declare_v the_o hour_n and_o when_o a_o man_n shoot_v a_o arrow_n at_o a_o mark_n so_o as_o to_o hit_v it_o though_o the_o arrow_n move_v towards_o the_o mark_n as_o it_o will_v if_o it_o can_v and_o do_v design_n to_o strike_v it_o yet_o none_o will_v say_v that_o this_o arrow_n move_v by_o a_o law_n but_o by_o a_o external_n though_o well_o direct_v impulse_n sect_n iii_o ii_o but_o possible_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o philosopher_n may_v exempt_v we_o from_o the_o perplexity_n to_o which_o the_o ambiguous_a expression_n of_o common_a writer_n expose_v we_o i_o therefore_o think_v fit_a to_o to_o consider_v with_o a_o somewhat_o more_o than_o ordinary_a attention_n the_o famous_a definition_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v leave_v we_o by_o aristotle_n which_o i_o shall_v recite_v rather_o in_o latin_a than_o in_o english_a not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v very_o familiar_o know_v among_o scholar_n in_o that_o language_n but_o because_o there_o be_v somewhat_o in_o it_o that_o i_o confess_v seem_v difficult_a to_o i_o to_o be_v without_o circumlocution_n render_v intelligible_o in_o english_a natura_n say_v he_o est_fw-la principium_fw-la &_o causa_fw-la motus_fw-la &_o quietis_fw-la ejus_fw-la 3._o in_fw-la quo_fw-la inest_fw-la primo_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la &_o non_fw-la secundum_fw-la accidens_fw-la but_o though_o when_o i_o consider_v that_o according_a to_o aristotle_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v but_o a_o system_fw-la of_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n i_o think_v it_o may_v well_o be_v expect_v that_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o thing_n the_o most_o important_a in_o natural_a philosophy_n shall_v be_v clear_o and_o accurate_o deliver_v yet_o to_o i_o this_o celebrate_a definition_n seem_v so_o dark_a that_o i_o can_v brag_v of_o any_o assistance_n i_o receive_v from_o it_o towards_o the_o frame_n of_o a_o clear_a and_o satisfactory_a notion_n of_o nature_n for_o i_o dare_v not_o hope_n that_o what_o as_o to_o i_o 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in_o parcel_n this_o man_n attacking_z one_o part_n of_o the_o definition_n and_o that_o man_n another_o with_o objection_n so_o weighty_a not_o to_o call_v some_o of_o they_o so_o unanswerable_a that_o if_o i_o have_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o urge_v against_o it_o i_o may_v borrow_v enough_o from_o the_o commentator_n on_o it_o to_o justify_v my_o dislike_n of_o it_o however_o we_o may_v hereafter_o have_v occasion_n to_o consider_v some_o of_o the_o main_a part_n of_o this_o definition_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n it_o may_v suffice_v that_o we_o observe_v that_o several_a thing_n be_v common_o receive_v as_o belong_v to_o the_o idea_n or_o notion_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v not_o manifest_o or_o not_o at_o all_o comprehend_v in_o this_o aristotelian_a definition_n which_o do_v not_o declare_v whether_o the_o principle_n or_o cause_n which_o expression_n already_o make_v the_o sense_n doubtful_a here_o mention_v be_v a_o substance_n or_o a_o accident_n and_o if_o a_o substance_n whether_o corporeal_a or_o immaterial_a nor_o be_v it_o clear_o contain_v in_o this_o definition_n that_o nature_n do_v all_o thing_n most_o wise_o and_o still_o act_n by_o the_o most_o compendious_a way_n without_o ever_o miss_v of_o her_o end_n and_o that_o she_o watch_v against_o a_o vacuum_n for_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o universe_n to_o omit_v divers_a other_o thing_n that_o you_o will_v find_v ascribe_v to_o she_o in_o the_o follow_a section_n to_o which_o i_o now_o proceed_v that_o the_o great_a shortness_n of_o this_o three_o section_n may_v not_o make_v it_o too_o disproportionate_a in_o length_n to_o the_o other_o this_o tract_n consist_v of_o i_o shall_v in_o this_o place_n though_o i_o doubt_v it_o be_v not_o the_o most_o proper_a that_o can_v be_v choose_v endeavour_v to_o remove_v betimes_o the_o prejudice_n that_o some_o divine_n and_o other_o pious_a man_n may_v perhaps_o entertain_v upon_o the_o