all this, matter could not have put itself in motion."

Suppose, for the sake of an argument, that there is no being superior to
nature, and that matter and force have existed from eternity. Now
suppose that two atoms should come together, would there be an effect?
Yes. Suppose they came in exactly opposite directions with equal force,
they would be stopped, to say the least. This would be an effect. If
this is so, then you have matter, force and effect without a being
superior to nature. Now suppose that two other atoms, just like the
first two, should come together under precisely the same circumstances,
would not the effect be exactly the same? Yes. Like causes, producing
like effects, is what we mean by law and order. Then we have matter,
force, effect, law and order without a being superior to nature. Now, we
know that every effect must also be a cause, and that every cause must
be an effect. The atoms coming together did produce an effect, and as
every effect must also be a cause, the effect produced by the collision
of the atoms, must, as to something else, have been a cause. Then we
have matter, force, law, order, cause and effect without a being
superior to nature. Nothing is left for the supernatural but empty
space. His throne is a void, and his boasted realm is without matter,
without force, without law, without cause, and without effect.

But what put all this matter in motion? If matter and force have
existed from eternity, then matter must have always been in motion.
There can be no force without motion. Force is forever active, and
there is, and there can be no cessation. If therefore, matter and force
have existed from eternity, so has motion. In the whole universe there
is not even one atom in a state of rest.

A deity outside of nature exists in nothing, and is nothing. Nature