of a negative part, and of a pofitive part. The negative part, confifts in the exclufion of fome of the known properties of matter, especially of folidity, of the vis inertiæ, and of gravitation. The pofitive part, comprises perception, thought, will, power, action, by which last term is meant, the origination of motion; the quality, perhaps, in which refides the effential superiority of spirit over matter," which cannot move, unless it be moved; and cannot but move, when impelled by another*." I apprehend that there can be no difficulty in applying to the Deity both parts of this idea. Bishop Wilkins's Principles of Nat. Rel. p. 106. CHAPTER XXV. THE UNITY OF THE DEITY. Of the "unity of the Deity" the proof is, the uniformity of plan obfervable in the universe. The universe itself is a system; each part either depending upon other parts, or being connected with other parts by fome common law of motion, or by the prefence of fome common fubftance. One principle of gravitation caufes a ftone to drop towards the earth, and the moon to wheel round it. One law of attraction carries all the different planets about the fun. This philofophers demonftrate. There are also other points of agreement amongst them, which may be confidered as marks of the identity of their origin, and of their intelligent author. In all are found the conveniency and stability derived from gravitation. They all experience viciffitudes of days and nights, and changes of feason. They all, at least Jupiter, Mars, and Venus, have the fame advantages from their atmospheres atmospheres as we have. In all the planets the axes of rotation are permanent. Nothing is more probable, than that the fame attracting influence, acting according to the fame rule, reaches to the fixed ftars: but, if this be only probable, another thing is certain, viz. that the fame element of light does. The light from a fixed star affects our eyes in the same manner, is refracted and reflected according to the fame laws, as the light of a candle. The velocity of the light of the fixed ftars, is alfo the fame as the velocity of the light of the fun, reflected from the fatellites of Jupiter. The heat of the fun, in kind, differs nothing from the heat of a coal fire. In our own globe the cafe is clearer. New countries are continually difcovered, but the old laws of nature are always found in them: new plants perhaps or animals, but always in company with plants and animals, which we already know; and always poffeffing many of the fame general properties. We never get amongst fuch original, or totally different, modes of existence, as to indicate, that we are come into the province of a different Creator, or under the direction of a different will. In truth, the fame order of things attends us, wherever 21 2 wherever we go. The elements act upon one another, electricity operates, the tides rife and fall, the magnetic needle elects its pofition, in one region of the earth and fea, as well as in another. One atmosphere invests all parts of the globe, and connects all: one fun illuminates; one moon exerts its specific attraction upon all parts. If there be a variety in natural effects, as, e. g. in the tides of different feas, that very variety is the result of the fame caufe, acting under different circumftances. In many cafes this is proved; in all is probable. The infpection and comparison of living forms, add to this argument examples without number. Of all large terrestrial animals the ftructure is very much alike. Their fenfes nearly the fame. Their natural functions and paffions nearly the fame. Their vifcera nearly the fame, both in substance, shape, and office. Digestion, nutrition, circulation, fecretion, go on, in a fimilar manner, in all. The great circulating fluid is the fame: for, I think, no difference has been discovered in the properties of blood, from whatever animal it be drawn. The experiment of transfufion proves, that the blood of one animal will ferve for another. other. The Skeletons also of the larger terrestrial animals, shew particular varieties, but ftill under a great general affinity. The refemblance is fomewhat lefs, yet fufficiently evident, between quadrupeds and birds. They are alike in five respects, for one in which they differ. In fib, which belong to another department, as it were, of nature, the points of comparison become fewer. But we never lofe fight of our analogy, e. g. we still meet with a ftomach, a liver, a fpine; with bile and blood; with teeth; with eyes, which eyes are only flightly varied from our own, and which variation, in truth, demonftrates, not an interruption, but a continuance, of the fame exquifite plan; for it is the adaptation of the organ to the element, viz. to the different refraction of light paffing into the eye out of a denfer medium. The provinces, alfo, themfelves of water and earth, are connected by the species of animals which inhabit both; and also by a large tribe of aquatic animals, which closely resemble the terrestrial in their internal structure: I mean the cetaceous tribe, which have hot blood, refpiring lungs, bowels, and other effential parts, like those of land animals. 213 |