the jumble of the Epicureans be allowed, although it, be, in fact, impos sible. 10. To find out a thousand things by due observation of the Spheroid of the Universe. 11. To show that, however thin we suppose the inclosure of the Spheroid of the whole Universe to be, if there be one, yet if it be perfectly solid, the most violent shocks of the greatest bodies in the world would not be able to break it, or in the least to injure it. 12. To consider, whether or no some of the Telescopical Stars be not the reflection of Real Stars from such an inclosure-i. e. from the common inclosure of the Starry World. 13. To consider thoroughly the objections that may be made, from more little stars appearing in the Milky Way, than elsewhere. 14. To show how the Motion, Rest, and Direction of the Least Atom has an influence on the motion, rest and direction of every body in the Universe; and to show how, by that means, every thing which happens, with respect to motes, or straws and such little things, may be for some great uses in the. whole course of things, throughout Eternity; and to show how the least wrong step in a mote, may, in Eternity, subvert the order of the Universe; and to take notice of the great wisdom, that is necessary, in order thus to dispose every atom at first, as that they should go for the best, throughout all Eternity, and in the Adjusting, by an exact computation, and a nice allowance to be made for the miracles, which should be needful, and other ways, whereby the course of bodies should be diverted:-And then to show how God, who does this, must he necessarily Omniscient, and know every the least thing, that must happen through Eternity. 15. To show how that the Least Atom must have an influence, not only for the present, but forever after. 16. To show how all nature consists, in things being precisely according to strict rules of justice and harmony. 17. To show how the least wrong step, in the least atom, happening ever so seldom, if it returns at a certain period, would most certainly, throughout eternity, so returning, totally subvert the order of the Universe; or if it be supposed, taking one time with another, to be equally frequent, as without doubt it will be, if there is any; and thence to show that there is very good philosopical reason to think, that the hairs of our heads are all numbered. (Vid. 52.) 18. To endeavour to show how two atoms, whose surfaces are nearly adjusted to each other, may, only by the force of gravity, meet each other with incredible celerity;-and to show how by that means heat may be begotten, without any external enkindling, and also rays of light emitted;and to consider what may arise from the different shapes of the particles. with respect to celerity, colour, or otherwise. 19. To show that, if a congeries of particles of matter were cast together, which had their surfaces thus fixed, they would meet each other with such a great celerity, and would, of themselves, bound back to the same place with an equal degree of celerity, and so would, of themselves, continue to do forever; but that celerity being increased, by their mutual impulses, and repulses, and continual repercussions, until at length it had brought it to an immense degree, sufficient to send them to the end of the world, with an almost infinite velocity, and this velocity receive increase a thousand ways, by bounding upon their flat surfaces and striking one another in their rebound by round surfaces, etc.--To solve by this method, the light and heat of the Sun and stars-the solving the grand question of kindling fires, firing of powder, etc. enkindling of mixed liquors, etc.-To show, also, how it must necessarily be so, in a congeries of particles, if the particles are suitable, and are so disposed, that they can have fair play, without hind rance. m k h 20. To absolutely demonstrate that two atoms, touching by surfaces, tend with infinite force of quantity to adhere together, on this wise, viz. Let the atoms a b, and c b, touch each other by surfaces at b. Now I say that the atoms a b, and b c, tend to adhere together, by an infinite quantity. Let the atom a b, be supposed to be divided in the middle at d, and the atom cb, at h. Let the inner half of each be again divided in the middle, viz. db, at e, and hb, at k. Let e b, also be divided at f, and b, at. ; Again, let fb, be equally divided at g, and 7 b, at m; and so d on, let each be divided ad infinitum. That I may go on thus dividing ad infinitum, is evident, because, if I go but half way at a time, I shall never come to the end. It is also evident that the parts of the atom a b, tend to the corresponding parts of the atom c b, according to the squares of the distance and the quantity of matter, in the parts attracting and attracted. And it is 7 again evident, that the part de, has half the quantity of matter of the part a d, because it is half of a part d b, that is equal. to it; and so he has half the quantity of matter of h c. And it is likewise evident, that the part de is just as near again to the part hk, as the part a d, to the part e h-that is, all the corresponding parts of de, and hk, the extremities and the corresponding extremities, the middle and the middle, are just as near again to each other, as the corresponding parts of the parts a d, and h c, as any body may easily see it must needs be: so that it may be said in the general, that the one two parts, are as hear again to each other, as the other two parts; i. e. that de, is as near again to hk, as a d to h c. And consequently, because attraction is as the square of the distance, the attraction would, be four times as strong, if the quantity of matter were equal; but because the quantity of matter of d e, is but half so much, which we at present call the body attracted, therefore, if the quantity of matter of the attracting part hk, were equal, still the gravity of the part de, would be but twice as much. But seeing the quantity of matter of h k, the attracting body, is also but half so much, therefore, the gravity is but just equal. So that we have proved that the gravity of d e, and hk, towards each other, is just equal to the gravity of a d, to ch. And after the same manner it is proved that the gravity of the remaining parts, e f, and kl, is just equal to the gravity of de, and hk, and consequently, to a d, and c h, and that the gravity of e f to kl, is equal to that; and off g, and I m, to that, and so on; And consequently, the gravity of each and all of them equal to the gravity of the first, and so of all the rest of the infinite division that might be made. Whence it follows that the gravity of the first part ad, to ch, is an infinite number of times in the atom a b, and so in the atom cb, and consequently, that the gravity of the whole put together, is actually infinite. For certainly, any small quantity of attraction, let it be ever so small, (if it be a millionth, or a million-millionth,) if it be an infinite number of times repeated, will amount to an infinite gravity. Wherefore, the atoms a b, and cb, tend to each other, with an infinite force of gravity, Q. E. D.-N. B. From this, again, to prove our whole scheme.. 21. That the adhesion of bodies arises from Gravity, proved from the adhesion of two polished marbles, in the exhausted receiver. 22. Solidity is gravity; so that, in some sense, the Essence of bodies is Gravity-and to show how the very bare being of body, without supposing harmonious being, necessarily infers Gravity, and to observe the folly of seeking for a mechanical cause of Gravity. But to observe that this has as much a mechanical cause as any thing in the world, and is as philosophically to be solved, and ought no more to be attributed to the immediate operation of God, than every thing else which indeed arises from it; and that Gravity is no way diverse from a principle, by which Matter acts on Matter.. 23. Because it is universally allowed, that Gravity depends immediately on the Divine influence, and because it may be proved that Solidity and Gravity are in a a good sense the same, and resolvable into each other, and because Solidity has been proved to be the very being of a body; therefore, we may infallibly conclude, that the very being, and the manner of being, and the whole, of bodies depends immediately on the Divine Being.To show how that, if Gravity should be withdrawn, the whole Universe would in a moment vanish into nothing; so that not only the well-being of the world depends on it, but the very being. 24. Relative to the 19th. To show how a congeries of secondary particles, rightly compounded, may do likewise; though not as well. 25. Relating to the 2d.-Except we suppose a Revolution; and to show that, being of such a figure, it cannot be, without causing great confusion; and to show that, let the figure be what it may, there will be great attractions among the Stars-the same as the Tides. 26. To bring in an observation, somewhere in the proper place, thatinstead of Hobbes' notion, that God is matter, and that all substance is matter -that nothing, that is matter, can possibly be God; and that no matter is, in the most proper sense, matter, according to the 11th Corollary, of Prop. 2. 27. To observe, in a proper place, that, since Creation is the first causing of such resistance, and Upholding is the causing of it successively; therefore the same person, who created, upholds and governs; whence we may learn who it is that sustains this noble fabrick of glorious bodies-and to expatiate much upon it. 28. To demonstrate that every thing done, at least, may depend on an infinite number of causes concurring, or the alteration of them,-upon an indefinitely little alteration or turn, especially in men's minds; and thence, in a proper place, to show, that no Finite spirit can predict such things. 29. The Definition of an Atom: Such a body, whose parts are no ways separated by pores, but has all its parts conjoined by an absolute continuity of matter. 30. Relating to the Note of the 5th Corollary, Proposition I. Hence we may learn, that an absolutely solid body, may have as much vacuity, within its surface, as any body whatsoever, that is not absolutely solid. 31. Remember to place all about motion, under the head of The Manner or Harmony of Existence. 32. To observe how the Plancts may act on sublunary things, such as plants, animals, bodies of men, and indirectly upon their souls too, by that infinitely subtile matter diffused all around them; which, in all probability, is so subtile, as to permeate the Air, and any bodies whatsoever, but more especially the Moon, but most of all, the Comets, because of the great quantity that is diffused from them; and to show how it is probable the Ancients got the notion, from the long experience of the Antediluvians. 33. Relating to the 19th. Compute how much Motion there may be in an inch square of Gunpowder, when set on fire, compared with some solid body, when moving straight forward; and, from the prodigious quantity of it, to prove, that it could neither take that motion, from any circumambient body, nor have it, in itself, before, and that it was an actual creation, at that very time; and to show the only way, whereby motion is ereated, is by Attraction, and therefore that this must be from Attraction 34. To show how, and by what laws, a compound body, of any degree of rarity, may have any. degree of hardness or inseparabiliand vice versa,.how a very dense body, and of little vacuity, may be, in comparison of it, very soft and separable. ty: 35. Relating to the 19th. To show how fiery and shining (bodies) are inflamed, or enlightened, in this manner. 36. To show, if I think proper, how Sir Isaac Newton was very sensi ble, that all Spontaneous Enkindling was from a certain species of attraction. 37. To show that it is not only highly probable, but absolutely certain, that the Fixed Stars are so many Suns. For it is certain, in the first place, that they do shine by their own light i. e. not by the Sun's; for altho' we do not exactly know how far distant they are, yet we know that they are so far distant, at least, that the annual Revolution of the Earth makes no sensible alteration in their position. And we know certainly, that the light of the Sun, at such a distance, will be no more than about so much, as the light of a Fixed Star is here. (Let any body calculate and see.) And now I ask, Whether or no it be not certain, that no body will reflect the light of another body, which does not shine upon it brighter than a single Fixed Star does upon the Earth, so much as to cause it to shine, with its reflected light, so brightly as the Fixed Stars do, at such a distance. And then, in the second place, it is certain, they must be pretty near about so big. And thirdly, it is certain that they must shine with as bright a light, or else they could never appear so bright at such a distance. This we may also be certain of, by calculation. Which three things are all that are needed to make a Sun. Coroll. 1. from the foregoing: That our Sun is a Fixed Star, is as certain, as that any one particular Star in the heavens is one. Coroll. 2. It is as probable that the other Fixed Stars, or Suns, have Systems of planets about them, as it would be that ours had, to one who had seen a Fixed Star, or Sun, every way like it, have them. 38. To bring in, if there happens a good place for it, that it is equally probable, in itself, that all, or the greater part, of the Universe was created at the time of the Mosaic Creation; as that all, or the greatest part, of the Universe was created at once, at any other time." 39. Relating to the 18th. To show that the motion will be made by rebounding, if the particles are elastic; and how that motion will be otherwise begotten, if they be not elastic, but perfectly hard. " 40. To observe that, for aught we know, the most dense bodies we are acquainted with, do not take up about the 10,000,000,000th part of the space they are in; if there shall be need of taking notice of it. 41. Relating to the 14th. To instance, how all and every of the particles, here upon the Earth, do follow a particular particle, in the atmosphere of a planet, of a Fixed Star, etc. 42. To observe about all the mountains being pitched over to the westward. 43. To observe about all stones being broken pieces of stones. 44. To observe that, if bodies have no substance of their own, so neither is solidity, strictly speaking, a property belonging to body, and to show how. And if solidity is not so, neither are the other properties of body, which depend upon it, and are only modifications of it; so that there is neither real substance, nor property, belonging to bodies; but all that is real is immediately in the First Being. Corall. 1. Hence see how God is said, still more properly, to be Ens entium, or, if there was nothing else in the world but bodies, the only Real Thing, so that it may be said, in a stricter sense than hitherto," Thou art. and there is none beside thee." Coroll. 2. Hence see, that, instead of Matter being the only proper substance, and more substantial than any thing else, because it is hard and solid; yet, it is truly nothing at all, strictly and in itself considered. Coroll. 3. The nearer in nature beings are to God, so much the more properly are they beings, and more substantial. And that Spirits are much more properly beings, and more substantial, than bodies. 45. To observe, it is somewhat difficult to know, how it comes to pass, that there are, in all Continents, however uneven and confused, hilly and jumbled, though they seem to have mountains and vallies, indifferently, and undesignedly, every where dispersed; yet; that there are such convenient Channels, whereby water may be conveyed from the middle of the Continents, and from all parts, into the Ocean. The reason is, when the world was first created, the water covering all the earth, the surface of the earth must needs be very soft, and loose, and easily worn or altered, by the motions of the water; and afterwards, the water, retiring in such a vast body, into one place, from off the continents, and some places of the (continents) being higher, and others lower, some were easily worn, others. more difficult; in some places, the waters moving with more force, in others with less, some places would necessarily be worn deeper than others, from the middle of the continent to the ocean: and as the water decreased, as going off from the earth, all would retire into those channels; and, the water still decreasing, the remainder would run in the deeper places of these channels; and after they [the waters] were gone, they left channels every where; into which, the waters afterwards gushing out, in various parts of the continent, would naturally find their way. Thus, also, after the Deluge, when the surface of the earth was again loosened. By this means it comes to pass, that, generally, our large rivers have champaign countries, without stones, on each side of them, before we come to the ridges of mountains, that commonly run parallel to them, at some distance, on each side; and yet, nearer the river still, there are meadows on each side, lower than the plain; and last of all, the channel itself, as in Connecticut River, because the water, when it first began to deflow from the land, it moved in vast quantities, enough to fill the whole space between the parallel mountains; so that the reason, why the country is so plain, is, because it was all once the bottom of a river; but afterwards, the water decreasing, was confined to a narrower compass, and wore the meadows out. At last, still narrowing, it was confined to the space between the banks. But there being still a remainder, in the champaign, and country between the greater channels, this, flowing off by degrees, into them, wore the lesser channels, for our little rivers. 46. The reason of the different Refrangibility of Rays, must be, either the different Figure, or Magnitude, or Hardness, or Internal Texture, or Density, of the Rays. There can be no other differences, between one ray and another, except the difference be some of these.--Now, first, it cannot be the different Figure, that causes the different Refrangibility. This would not cause some rays to be more attracted towards the edge of bodies; for all bodies, equal in other respects, are equally attracted, let them be of what figure so ever; nor will this serve to explain, how some are more easily reflected, than others. Different Magnitude is alike insufficient for these. purposes. Different Hardness can cause no difference in the Attractibility. The Internal Texture can make no manner of difference, either in refraction or reflection. If the Quantity of Matter, and the Surface, be the same, the different Swiftness of Motion cannot be the reason. Wherefore, there remains nothing more, that can be the cause, but the different Density-the different Quantity of Matter in the rays, in the same room. Then we will suppose there to be a great deal of differ |