272 NATURAL THEOLOGY, 



formed. It is an optical instrument made in a 

 dungeon ; constructed for the refraction of light to 

 a focus, and perfect for its purpose, before a ray 

 of light has had access to it ; geometrically adapt- 

 ed to the properties and action of an element, 

 with which it has no communication. It is about 

 indeed to enter into that communication : and this 

 is precisely the thing which evidences intention. 

 It is providing for the future in the closest sense 

 which can be given to these terms ; for it is pro- 

 viding for a future change ; not for the then sub- 

 sisting condition of the animal ; not for any gradual 

 progress or advance in that same condition ; but 

 for a new state, the consequence of a great and 

 sudden alteration, which the animal is to undergo 

 at its birth. Is it to be believed that the eye was 

 formed, or, which is the same thing, that the series 

 of causes was fixed by which the eye is formed, 

 without a view to this change ; without a prospect 

 of that condition, in which its fabric, of no use at 

 present, is about to be of the greatest ; without a 

 consideration of the qualities of that element, hith- 

 erto entirely excluded, but with which it was here- 

 after to hold so intimate a relation ? A young man 

 makes a pair of spectacles for himself against he 

 grows old ; for which spectacles he has no want 

 or use whatever at the time he makes them. 

 Could this be done without knowing and consider- 

 inff the defect of vision to which advanced aoje is 

 subject ? Would not the precise suitableness of 

 the instrument to its purpose, of the remedy to 



