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CHAP. II. OF MOTION.
SECT. I.
CErtainly, the Great Galilaeo did most judiciously and like himself,* 1.1 to lay the foundation of his incomparable En∣quiry into the most recondite myste∣ries of Nature, in the Consideratin of the Nature of MOTION, and severe Examination (that we may not say, subversion) of Aristotles Doctrine concerning it. Bec••use, Motion being the Heart, or rather the Vital Faculty of Nature, without which the Universe were yet but a meer Chaos; must also be the no∣blest part of Physiology: and consequently, the speculation thereof must be the most advantageous Introduction to the Anatomy of all other parts in the vast and symmetrical Body of this All, or Adspectable World. Again, if Motion and Quiet be the principal modes of Bodies Existing, as Des Cartes (in princip. philosoph. part. 2. sect. 27.) seems strongly to assert▪ if Generation, Corruption, Augmentation, D••minution, Alteration, be only certain species, or more properly the Effects of Motion, as our imme••••••te∣ly praecedent Ch••pter cleerly imports; and that we can have no other Cog∣nizance of the conditions or qualities of sensible objects, but what results from our perception of the Impulses made upon the organs of our senses, by their species thither transmitted: assuredly, the Physiologist is highly concerned to make the contemplation of Motion, its Causes, Kinds, and U∣niversal Laws, the First link in the chain of all his Natural Theorems. And, truly, this we our selves had not endeavoured, had not our firm resolution to avoid that ungrateful prolixity, which must arise from the frequent Re∣petitions of the same Notions, in the solution of various natural Apparen∣ces▪ and our design of insensibly praeparing the minde of our 〈…〉〈…〉 the gra••ual insinu••ti••n of all both C••uses and Effects o•• 〈…〉〈…〉, as they stood in relation to this or th••t particul••r sensible 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ••nd principally to Visibles, and the Grav••tation of Bodies: not only inc••••ed,