AND THEORY OF THE HEAVENS. 14! 



whole and embrace the whole universe, the totality 

 of nature in a single system, by the connecting power 

 of attraction and centrifugal force ? I say, Yes. If there 

 existed only isolated systems which had no unified con- 

 nection into a whole with one another, it might be 

 imagined were this chain of members assumed to be 

 really infinite that an exact equality in the attraction 

 of their parts from all sides, could keep these systems 

 secure from the destruction with which their inner mutual 

 attraction threatens them. But this would evolve such 

 an exact measured determination at the distance propor- 

 tionate to the attraction, that even the slightest displace- 

 ment would draw the ruin of the universe along with it; 

 and after long periods, which, however, must finally come 

 to an end, it would give it up to utter overthrow. A 

 constitution of the world which did not maintain itself 

 without a miracle, has not the character of that stability 

 which is the mark of the choice of God. It is therefore 

 much more in conformity with that choice to make the 

 whole creation a single system which puts all the worlds 

 and systems of worlds, that fill the whole of infinite 

 space, into relation to a single centre. A scattered 

 swarm of systems, however for they might be separated 

 from each other would, by an unchecked tendency, 

 hurry to disorder and destruction, unless a certain relative 

 disposition were made by reference to a universal centre, 

 the centre of the attraction of the universe, and unless 

 means were taken for the maintenance of the whole of 

 nature by systematic motions. 



This universal centre of the attraction of the whole of 

 nature, both in its crude and formed state, is the point 

 at which is undoubtedly situated the mass of the most 



