3o6 A P ? E N . I^ I X. Chap. I, 



way, tliat is, from one another, which is well known by the name of 

 repulfioUy and is a very common phenomenon as well as attraction \ 

 and, 2dly, That the Bodies, which are moved towards one another, 

 only do it at certain diftances, and thefe very fmall. The propofi- 

 tion, therefore, that all Bodies in the uiiiverfe have a tendency to- 

 wards one another at all dii^ances, is a propofition, not only not 

 fotmded upon any analogy here on earth, but directly contradicted 

 by it ; fo that, I think, it is furprifmg that it fliould be maintained, 

 even by the matter of facl^ or experimental fhilojophers^ as they call 

 themfelves ; for that it can be maintained by leal phiiofophers, I 

 think, is impoflible. 



And here, I think, the argument from final caufes deferves to be 

 Gonfidered ; for, though that argument would bear no weight if the 

 fad was proved, yet, where the fad is doubtful, as in this cafe, not 

 to fay highly improbable, I think it merits fome attention. Now, 

 very good reafons may be given, why Bodies in this our earth, or 

 in our atmofphere, which I confider as part of it, fhould have a ten- 

 dency to one another, while others have contrary tendencies. But 

 what reafon can be given, why, in the regions of infinite fpace, at 

 the diftancc of millions of miles from our earth and from one ano- 

 ther Bodies fliould either attrad or repel one another ? That 

 they do not repel one another is admitted j but, for what purpofe 

 fhould they attrad one another ? for none other that I can con- 

 ceive, except to produce this fame compounded Motion, which is 

 the very thing in difpute, whether it exift or not. 



But the Newtonians will fay, there is no need of any proof from 

 final caufes, or from fads here on earth, or of any reafoning from 

 analogy ; for there is a dired proof from the Motion of the Celef- 

 lial Bodies, by which, they fay, it is evident that they all have a 

 tendency towards their feveral centres. And what is this proof ? It 



is 



