Mifcellanea Curiofa. 305 



Others affign a certain Sympxthetioal Attracti- 

 on between the Earth and its Parts, whereby 

 they have, as it were, a defire to be united, 

 to be the Caufe we enquire after: But this is 

 fo far from explaining the Modus, tnat it is lit- 

 tle more, than to tell us in other Terms, 

 that Heavy Bodies defcend, becaufe they de- 

 Icend. 



This, I fay, not that I can pretend to fub* 

 ftitute any Solution of this Important Philolbphi- 

 cal Problem, that fliall more happily explicate 

 the Appearances of Gravity ; only it may be fer- 

 viceable to thefe with whom the Credit of great 

 Authors fways much, and who too readily aflent 

 in Verba Magiftri, to let them fee that their Books 

 are not always infallible : Befides, the detection 

 of Errors is the firft and fureft. Step towards the 

 difcovery of Truth. 



Though the efficient Caufe of Gravity be Co 

 obfeure, yet the final Caufe thereof is clear e- 

 nough i far it is by this fingle Principle, that the 

 Earth and all the Caleftial Bodies are kept from 

 Diffolution j the leaft of their Particles not being 

 fuffer'd to recede far from rheir Surfaces^ with- 

 out being immediately brought down again by 

 Virtue of this Natural Tendency ; which, for their 

 Prefervation, the Infinite Wildom of their Crea- 

 tor has ordained to be towards each of their 

 Centers j nor can the Globes of the Sun and 

 Planets otherwife be deftroy'd, but by taking 

 from them this Power of keeping their Parts 

 united. 



The Affe&ions or Properties of Gravity, and 

 its manner of a&ing upon Bodies falling, have 

 been in a great meaiiire difcovered, and moft 

 of them made out by Mathematical .Demonftra* 

 X tion 



