2io THEORToftbe EARTH. 



muft depend. To judge of this point, we muft keep in view, 

 not only the end, but the means alfo by which that end is ob- 

 tained. Thefe are, the form of the whole, the materials of which 

 it is compofed, and the feveral powers which concur, counter- 

 act, or balance one another, in procuring the general refult. 



THE form and conftitution of the mafs are not more evident- 

 ly calculated for the purpofe of this earth as a habitable world, 

 than are the various fubftances of which that complicated body 

 is compofed. Soft and hard parts varioufly combine, to form a 

 medium confidence adapted to the ufe of plants and animals ; 

 wet and dry are properly mixed for nutrition, or the fupport of 

 thofe growing bodies ; and hot and cold produce a temperature 

 or climate no lefs required than a foil. Infomuch, that there 

 is not any particular, reflecting either the qualities of the ma- 

 terials, or the conftruction of the machine, more obvious to 

 our perception, than are the prefence and efficacy of defign and 

 intelligence in the power that conducts the work. 



IN taking this view of things, where ends and means are 

 made the object of attention, we may hope to find a principle- 

 upon which the comparative importance of parts in the fyftem 

 of nature may be eftimated, and alfo a rule for felecting the 

 object of our enquiries. Under this direction, fcience may 

 find a fit fubject of inveftigation in every particular, whether 

 offorjn^ quality r , or afirive poiver, that prefents itfelf in this fyftem 

 of motion and of life j and which, withoxit a proper attention 

 to this character of the fyftem, might appear anomalous and. 

 incomprehenfible. 



IT is not only by feeing thofe general operations of the globe 

 which depend upon its peculiar conftruction as a machine, but 

 alfo by perceiving how far the particulars, in the conftruction 

 of that machine, depend upon the general operations of the 

 globe, that we are enabled to underftand the conflitution of this 

 earth as a thing formed by defign. We mail thus alfo be led 

 to acknowledge an order, not unworthy of Divine wifdom, in 



