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as the proper real agent and caufe. And that the inferior inftrumental caufe is pure æther, fire, or the fubftance of light (c) which is applied and determined by an infinite mind in the microcosm or univerfe, with unlimited power, and according to ftated rules; as it is in the microcofm, with limited power and skill by the human mind. We have no proof either from experiment or reason, of any other agent or efficient caufe than mind or fpirit. When therefore we fpeak of corporeal agents or corporeal causes, this is to be underftood in a different, fubordinate, and improper fenfe.

155. The principles, whereof a thing is compounded, the inftrument ufed in its production, and the end for which it was intended, are all in vulgar ufe termed Causes, though none of them be ftrictly speaking agent or efficient. There is not any proof that an extended corporeal or mechanical caufe doth really and properly act, even motion itself being in truth a paffion. Therefore though we speak of this fiery fubftance as acting, yet it is to be understood only as a mean or inftrument, which indeed is the cafe of all mechanical caufes whatfoever. They are neverthelesfs fometimes termed agents and caufes, although they are by no means active in a ftrict and proper fignification. When, therefore, force, power, virtue, or action, are mentioned as fubfifting in an extended and corporeal or mechanical being, this is not to be taken in a true, genuine, and real, but only in a grofs and popular fenfe, which sticks in appearances, and doth not analyfe things to their firft principles. In compliance with eftablifhed language, and the ufe of the world, we muft employ the popular current phrafe. But then in regard to truth we ought to diftinguifh (c) 29, 37, 136, 149.

its meaning. It may fuffice to have made this declaration once for all, in order to avoid miftakes.

156. The calidum innatum, the vital flame, or animal fpirit in man is fuppofed the cause of all motions, in the feveral parts of his body, whether voluntary or natural. That is, it is the inftrument, by means whereof the mind exerts and manifefts herself in the motions of the body. In the fame fenfe may not fire be faid to have force, to operate, and agitate the whole fyftem of the world, which is held together and informed by one prefiding mind, and animated throughout by one and the fame fiery fubftance, as an inftrumental and mechanical agent, not as a primary real efficient?

157. This pure fpirit pure fpirit or invifible fire is ever ready to exert and fhew itself in its effects (d), cherishing, heating, fermenting, diffolving, fhining and operating in various manners, where a fubject offers to employ or determine its force. It is prefent in all parts of the earth and firmament, though perhaps latent and unobserved, till fome accident produceth it into act, and renders it vifible in its effects.

158. There is no effect in nature, great, marvellous, or terrible, but proceeds from fire, that diffused and active principle, which at the fame time that it shakes the earth and heavens, will enter, divide, and diffolve the smallest, closest, and most compacted bodies. In remote cavities of the earth it remains quiet, till perhaps an accidental fpark from the collifion of one ftone against another kindles an exhalation, that gives birth to an earthquake or tempeft, which splits mountains, or overturns cities. This fame fire ftands unfeen in

(d) 152.

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the focus of a burning glafs, till fubjects for it to act upon come in it's way, when it is found to melt, calcine, or vitrify the hardest bodies.

159. No eye could ever hitherto difcern, and no fenfe perceive, the animal spirit in a human body, otherwife than from it's effects. The fame may be faid of pure fire, or the spirit of the universe, which is perceived only by means of fome other bodies, on which it operates, or with which it is joined. What the chemifts fay, of pure acids being never found alone, might as well be faid of pure fire.

160. The mind of man acts by an inftrument neceffarily. The τὸ ἡγεμονικόν, or mind prefiding in the world, acts by an inftrument freely. Without inftrumental and second causes, there could be no regular course of nature. And without a regulár course, nature could never be understood. Mankind must always be at a loss, not knowing what to expect, or how to govern themselves, or direct their actions for the obtaining of any end. Therefore in the government of the world phyfical agents, improperly fo called, or mechanical, or fecond caufes, or natural causes, or inftruments, are neceffary to affift, not the governor, but the governed.

161. In the human body the mind orders and moves the limbs: but the animal fpirit is fuppofed the immediate physical cause of their motion. So likewife in the mundane fyftem, a mind prefides, but the immediate, mechanical, or inftrumental caufe, that moves or animates all it's parts, is the pure elementary fire or spirit of the world. The more fine and fubtile part or fpirit is fuppofed to receive the impreffions of the first mover, and communicate them to the groffer fenfible parts of this world. Motion, though in metaphyfical

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taphyfical rigor and truth, a paffion or mere effect, yet, in phyfics, paffeth for an action. And by this action all effects are fuppofed to be produced. Hence the various communications, determinations, accelerations of motion conftitute the laws of nature.

162. The pure æther or invifible fire contains parts of different kinds, that are impreffed with different forces, or fubjected to different laws of motion, attraction, repulfion, and expansion, and endued with divers diftinct habitudes towards other bodies. These seem to conftitute the many various qualities (e), virtues, flavours, odours, and colours, which diftinguish natural productions. The different modes of cohefion, attraction, repulfion and motion, appear to be the fource from whence the specific properties are derived, rather than different fhapes or figures. This, as hath been already obferved, feems confirmed by the experiment of fixed falts operating one way, notwithstanding the difference of their angles. The original particles productive of odours, flavours, and other properties, as well as of colours, are, one may fufpect, all contained and blended together in that univerfal and original feminary of pure elementary fire; from which they are diversly separated and attracted, by the various fubjects of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms; which thereby become claffed into kinds, and endued with thofe diftinct properties, which continue till their feveral forms, or fpecific proportions of fire, return into the common mass. 163. As the foul acts immediately on pure fire, fo pure fire operates immediately on air. That is, the abrafions of all terreftrial things being rendered volatile and elaftic by fire (f), and at the fame time leffening the volatility and expanfive force of the

(e) 37, 40, 44.

(f) 149, 159, 152..

fire,

3

fire, whofe particles they attract and adhere to (k), there is produced a new fluid, more volatile than water or earth, and more fixed than fire. Therefore the virtues and operations imputed to air muft be ultimately attributed to fire, as that which imparts activity to air itself.

164. The element of æthereal fire or light feems to comprehend, in a mixed ftate, the feeds, the natural caufes and forms (g) of all fublunary things. The groffer bodies feparate, attract, and repel the several constituent particles of that heterogene⚫ous element; which, being parted from the common mass, make diftin&t effences, producing and combining together fuch qualities and properties, as are peculiar to the several subjects, and thence often extracted in effential oils or odoriferous waters, from whence they exhale into the open air, and return into their original element.

165. Blue, red, yellow, and other colours, have been discovered by Sir Ifaac Newton to depend on the parted rays or particles of light. And in like manner, a particular odour or flavour feemeth to depend on peculiar particles of light or fire (b); as appears from heat's being neceffary to all vegetation whatsoever, and from the extreme minuteness and volatility of those vegetable fouls or forms, flying off from the fubjects without any fenfible diminution of their weight. Thefe particles, blended in one common ocean, fhould feem to conceal the distinct forms, but, parted and attracted by proper fubjects, difclofe or produce them. As the particles of light, which, when feparated, form diftinct colours, being blended are loft in one uniform appearance.

(k) 147.

(g) 43.

(b)+40.

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-166. A

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