Chap. II. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. 123 



operations ; but both are parts cf the fyftem of nature and equally 

 neceflary. 



The next clafs of Beings to be confidered Is the Animals of this 

 earth, and which are the chief things in it; as for the ufe of ani- 

 mals all the things I have mentioned appear to be intended. And it 

 is tit it Ihould be fo, as they are the only beings of this earth that 

 are leniitive, and confequently capable of pleaiure or pain, of happi- 

 nefs or miiery; which, therefore, muft be confidered as the principal 

 objedls of the Divine goodnefs. And as that is the cafe, it is very 

 proper to confider them by themfelves ; but, before I fpeak of them, 

 I think it is proper to fay fomething of an attribute of the Divinity 

 manifefled in his works, and that is Prefervation, which is no lefs 

 cfTential to his nature than Production. 



0^2 CHAP. 



