227 



/* 



laws of motion and the same unthinking po wers ? 

 This is nature, when God has appointed it. This 

 seems to be the true idea, and the clearest explica* 

 tion of that obscure word, instinct. 



If we allow these young animals to perform all 

 their affairs by their own contrivance and sagacity, 

 why do not we ascribe the same sagacity and artifice 

 to vines and ivy, that we do to young sparrows or 

 chickens ? The motions of the plants are slower in- 

 deed, but as regular and rational as those of the 

 animals ; they shew as much design and contrivance, 

 and are as necessary and proper to attain their end. 



Besides, if we imagine these little young birds to 

 practise their different forms of motion for their nou- 

 rishinent or defence by any springs of reason, mean- 

 ing, or design in themselves, do we not ascribe un- 

 derstanding to tfeem a little too soon, and confess 

 their knowledge is much superior to our own, and 

 their reason of more early growth ? Do we not make 

 men, or rather angels of them, instead of brute 

 creatures ? But if we suppose them to be actuated 

 by the peculiar laws of animal motion, which God 

 the Creator, by a long foresight has established 

 amongst his works, we give him the honour of that 

 early and superior reason, and we adore the Divine 

 Artificer. Psalm cxlv. 10. Mi thy works shall praise 

 thee^ O Lord. 



But we are lost among these wonders of thy wis- 

 dom ! We are ignorant of thy divine and inimitable 

 contrivances! What shall we say to thee, thou all- 

 wise, creating power I Thy works surprise us, the 

 plants and the brutes puzzle and confound our rea- 

 sonings : we gaze at thy workmanship with saored 

 amazement : thy ways in the kingdom of nature are 

 tmtraceable, and thy wonders past finding out. 



But what will some readers say when they peruse 

 these discourses ? Are plants and brutes so very near 

 akin to each other ? Creatures which we have al- 

 ways distinguished into the sensible and senseless? 

 1*6 



