KATURAL HISTORY. H 



creation, he choose to operate by second causes ; and 

 that, suspending the constant exertion of his power, he 

 endued matter with a quality, by which the universal 

 economy of nature might be continued without his 

 immediate assistance. This quality is called attraction; 

 a sort of approximating influence, which all bodies, 

 whether terrestrial or celestial, are found to possess ; 

 and which in all increase's as the quantity of matter in 

 each increases. The sun, by far the greatest body in 

 our system, is, of consequence, possessed of much the 

 greatest share of this attracting power ; and all the 

 planets, of which our earth is one, are, of course en- 

 tirely subject to its superior influence. Were this 

 power, therefore, left uncontrouled by any other, the 

 sun must quickly have attracted all the bodies of our 

 celestial system to itself ; but it is equally counteracted 

 by another power of equal efficacy ; namely, a pro- 

 gressive force which each planet received when it w r as 

 impelled forward by the divine Architect upon Us first 

 formation. The''heavenly bodies of our system being 

 thus acted upon by two opposing powers; namely, by 

 that of attraction, which draws them towards the sun ; 

 and that of impulsion, which drives them straight for- 

 Wtird into the great void of space ; they pursue a track 

 between these contrary directions: and each like a stone 

 whirled about in a sling, obeying two opposite forces', 

 circulates round its great centre of heat ai:d motion. 



In this manner, therefore, is the haimonyofour 

 planetary sysU-rn preserved. The sun, in the mitlsf, 

 es heat, and light, and circular motion to the phi- 

 nets which surround it. Though we see the greatness 

 and wisdom of the Deity in al! those worlds around us 

 it is our chief concern to trace Him in that which 

 WK iniu'bit. 



