established between effects and their causes; and must empty the world of its matter and mechanism, only to fill it with difficulties and mysteries. If he destroys the connection between the parts of matter, he must present us with such a picture of nature, as can resemble nothing but the bones of a skeleton, which cannot stir one step upon natural principles; whereas the work of God is worthy of its author, and the frame of nature is a perfect and well-connected body, furnished with all its proper muscles and ligaments. The bones are united, moved, and lifted by the muscles: if an anatomist, in describing the wonders of the human frame, should leave out these, he must suppose the bones to move themselves; after which, he might go on to argue against the muscles, as things useless and unnecessary, mere obstacles to the free and easy motion of the bones within their sockets; and then he would philosophize just as they do, who forget that fluid matter of the heavens, by which all other things are moved and connected together, and place occult powers in the solid matter of the celestial orbs.

To avoid falling into any errors of this

kind, I have taken care to feign no arbitrary and abstracted idea of nature; but have examined it wholly as a matter of fact, and have hitherto argued from observation only, in order to make such a sketch of its out-lines as shall be like the original. And a strong likeness hath often been hit by a very indifferent painter; while some finished pieces, which have shewn a masterly hand, might as well have passed for the figures of some fictitious characters in a romance, as for the persons who sat for them. With regard to my own reputation as a writer, I am perfectly easy for it was neither my design, nor my desire, to exhibit a pattern of eloquence; but to add some little matter to the common stock of useful knowledge. It is in this light only, that I could wish to have my labours accepted. As to the author himself, the learned, I hope, will find no reason to look upon him as one who would dictate to those who are better able to instruct him, or to impose a belief of any thing which is not supported by plain argument and undeniable evidence. If they do him justice, they will regard him only as a fellowinquirer after that truth which they also T4

are

280 Conclusion from all the foregoing, &c.

are desirous to find; and will attend to him as to one who takes great delight in the works of God, and but little in any work of his own.

281

BOOK IV.

The Judgment of Antiquity on the System of Nature: together with the Sentiments of some Modern Authors of the best repute.

CHAP. I.

Some General Observations on the Learning of the Ancients.

T

O what hath already been deduced from observation and experiment, let us now try if we can add the sanction of some clear and indisputable testimonies from antiquity. This inquiry will be useful and pleasant in itself; and the result of it, I hope, will be satisfactory, as it may serve to repel any charge of novelty, which, if it were well-grounded, might be urged with some success against the doctrine of the mechanism of the world, and the influence of material causes,

causes. For, as I have pretended that these things are equally plain and important, there could be no better objection against them as such, than that mankind should have been left to this day in ignorance of them.

For my own part, I have always been persuaded, that, in our judgment of physics, a proper regard ought to be paid to the concurrent testimonies of ancient writers; who had, in many respects, the same opportunities that we have, and made it their practice to derive their knowledge of things from evidence and observation. How far they were able to carry their observations, it would be difficult to shew with any tolerable precision; farther, I think, than they are allowed to have done by the general stream of modern writers; some of whom are weak enough to believe, that wisdom is a child newly born, though the world is now in its dotage.

Thus much, however, is certain and indisputable, that there are innumerable ap、 pearances and operations in nature, which are subjected to the eyes and senses of men, though unassisted with some inventions of art, which are usually reckoned peculiar to the latter ages; and as nature is consistent