Sect. XXXIX. 12.6. GENERATION, 44 1 



To thefe mufl: be added the final caufe, fo called by many au- 

 thors, which means the motive, for the accomplifhment of which 

 the preceding chain of caufes was put into action. The idea 

 of a final caufe, therefore, includes that of a rational mind > 

 which employs means to effect its purpofes ; thus the defire of 

 preferving himfelf from the pain of cold, which he has frequent- 

 ly experienced, induces the favage to conftruct his hut ; the fix- 

 ing {takes into the ground for walls, branches of trees for rafters, 

 and turf for a cover, are a feries of fucceffive voluntary exer- 

 tions ; which are fo many means to produce a certain effect. 

 This effect of preferving himfelf from cold, is termed the final 

 caufe •, the conftruction of the hut is the remote effecl: •, the ac- 

 tion of the mufcular fibres of the man, is the proximate effect ; 

 the volition, or activity of defire to preferve himfelf from cold, 

 is the proximate caufe ; and the pain of cold, which excited 

 that defire, is the remote caufe. 



6. This perpetual chain of caufes and effects, the firft link of 

 which is rivetted to the throne of God, divides itfelf into innu- 

 merable diverging branches, which, like the nerves arifing from 

 the brain, permeate the mod minute and mod remote extremi- 

 ties of the fyftem, diffufmg motion and fenfation to the whole. 

 As every caufe is fuperior in power to the effect., which it has 

 produced, fo our idea of the power of the Almighty Creator 

 becomes more elevated and fublime, as we trace the opera- 

 tions of nature from caufe to caufe, climbing up the links of 

 thefe chains of being, till we afcend to the Great Source of ail 

 things. 



Hence the modern difcoveries in chemiftry and in geology, 

 by having traced the caufes of the combinations of bodies to 

 remoter origins, as well as thofe in aftronomy, which digni- 

 fy the prefent age, contribute to enlarge and amplify our ideas 

 of the power of the Great Firft Caufe. And had thofe ancient 

 philofophers, who contended that the world was formed from 

 atoms, afcribed their combinations to certain immutable prop- 

 erties received from the hand of the Creator, fuch as general 

 gravitation, chemical affinity, or animal appetency, inltead of 

 afcribing them to a blind chance ; the doctrine of atoms, as con- 

 ftituting or compofing the material world by the variety of their 

 combinations, fo far from leading the mind to atheiim, would 

 strengthen the demonitration of the exiftence of a Deity, as the 

 firft caufe of all things ■-, becaufe the analogy reflating irom our 

 perpetual experience of cauie and effect would have thus been 

 exemplified through univerla! nature. 



The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the firmament 

 Jheiveth his handiwork I One dayttlleth cuiciher, and cm night 



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