been actually felf-exiftent from Eternity: so that finally, there is not only a great inducement from its probability and reasonableness, but a downright Neceffity of admitting the Creation of the World. And then Fifthly, as to Motion, that we may wave fome Metaphysical Arguments, which demonftrate that Local Motion cannot be pofitively eternal; we shall only obferve in two Words; That if Matter be not effentially eternal, as we have fhewed before; much lefs can Motion be, that is but the adjunct and accident of it. Nay though we fhould concede an Eternity to Matter; yet why muft Motion be coæval with it? which is not only not inherent and effential to Matter, but may be produced and deftroyed at the pleasure of free Agents: both which are flatly repugnant to an eternal and neceffary Duration. I am aware, how fome have afferted that the fame quantity of Motion is always kept up in the World; which may feem to favour the Opinion of its infinite Duration: but that fancy doth folely depend upon an abfolute Plenum; which being refuted in my next, it will then appear how abfurd and false that conceit is, how eafily difproved from the Motive power of Souls embodied, and the gradual in crease crease of Men and other Animals, and many Arguments befides. Therefore let this alfo be concluded, That Motion cannot have fubfifted in an infinite past Duration: Which was the thing to be proved. A Confutation of Atheilm FROM THE Origin and Frame of the WORLD. PAR T II. A SERMON o Preached at St. Martin's in the Fields, NOVEMBER the 7th 1692. Being the Seventh of the Lecture Founded by the Honourable ROBERT BOYLE, Esquire. By RICHARD BENTLEY, M. A. LONDON, Printed for H. Mortlock at the Phoenix in Th de de de de de de de de de de de de de skakkakak Imprimatur. Ra. Barker, Rmo in Chrifto Patri ac Dno Dno Johanni Archiep. Cantuar. à Sacris Domeft. LAMBHITH, Novemb. 10. 1692. (3) Acts XIV. 15, St. That ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, who made Heaven and Earth and the Sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times paft fuffer'd all Nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness, in that he did Good, and gave us Rain from Heaven, and fruitfull Seafons, filling our hearts with Food and Gladness. WH Hen we firft enter'd upon this Topic, the demonstration of God's Exiftence from the Origin and Frame of the World, we offer'd to prove four Propofi tions. 1. That this prefent Syftem of Heaven and Earth cannot poffibly have subfifted from all Eternity. 2. That Matter confider'd generally, and abstractly from any particular Form and Concretion, cannot poffibly have been eternal: Or, if Matter could be fo; yet Motion cannot have coexifted with it eternally, as an inherent property and effential attribute of Matter. These two we have already established A 2 in |
