Chap. 61. Of Matter, Motion, and Figure.
AS I said before in my first part of my Book, that there is no first Matter, nor no first Motion, because Eternal, and Infinite, yet there could be no Motion, without matter; for Matter is the cause, Motion but the effect of Matter, for there could be no motion unlesse there were Matter to be mo∣ved; But there might be Matter, and Figure, without Mo∣tion, as an infinite, and eternal dull lump; For I see no reason, but infinite might be without running forward, or circle-wayes, if there were not several degrees of the onely Matter, wherein Motion is an Infinite Eternal effect of such a degree. Neither is it nonsense to say, Figure is the effect of Matter; for though there is no Matter without Figure, yet there could be no figure without Matter, wherefore Matter is the prime cause of Figure, yet there could be no figure without matter, wherefore matter is the prime cause of figure, but not figure of matter, for figure doth not make matter, but matter figure, no more then the creature can make the Creator; but a creature may make a figure. Thus although there is no first matter, yet matter is the first cause of moti∣on and figure, and all effects.
Although they are as infinite and Eternal, as matter it self, and when I say Matter prime, I speak for distinction sake, which is the onely Matter?
The innated Matter, is the soul of Nature.
The dull part of Matter, the Body.
And the infinite figures, are the infinite form of Nature.
And the several motions are the several actions of nature.