The Wisdom of God Manifested in Creation, Part 9 (1 of 2)

The Wisdom of God Manifested in Creation · Part 9 (1 of 2)

p. 86Of Bodies endued with a Sensitive Soul, or Animals.

I proceed now to the consideration of Animate Bodies indued with a Sensitive Soul, called Animals. Of these I shall only make some general Observations, not curiously consider the Parts of each particular Species, save only as they serve for Instances or Examples.

First of all, because it is the great design of Providence to maintain and continue every Species, I shall take notice of the great Care and abundant Provision that is made for the securing this End. Quanta ad eam rem vis, ut in suo quaeque genere permaneat? Cic. Why can we imagine all Creatures should be made Male and Female but to this purpose? Why should there be implanted in each Sex such a vehement and inexpugnable Appetite of Copulation? Why in viviparous Animals, in the time p. 87of Gestation should the nourishment be carried to the Embryon in the Womb, which at other times goeth not that way? When the Young is brought forth, how comes all the nourishment then to be transferred from the Womb to the Breasts or Paps, leaving its former channel, the Dam at such time being for the most part Lean and Ilfavoured? Here I cannot omit one very remarkable Observation I find in Cicero. At que ut intelligamus (saith he) nihil horum esse fortuitum, sed haec omnia providae solertis que naturae, Quae multiplices foetus procreant, ut Sues, ut Canes, his mammarum data est multitudo, quas easdem paucas habent eae bestiae quae pauca gignunt. That we may understand that none of these things (he had been speaking of) is fortuitous, but that all are the effects of provident and sagacious Nature, multiparous quadrupeds, as Dogs, as Swine, are furnished with a multitude of Paps: Whereas those Beasts which bring forth few have but a few.

That Flying Creatures of the greater sort, that is Birds should all lay Eggs, and none bring forth Live Young, is a manifest Argument of Divine Providence, designing thereby their Preservation and Security; that there might be the more plenty of them; and that neither the Birds of Prey, the Serpent, nor the Fowler should straiten their Generations p. 88too much. For if they had been Viviparous, the Burthen of their Womb, if they had brought forth any competent number at a time, had been so great and heavy, that their Wings would have failed them, and they became an easie Prey to their Enemies: Or if they had brought but one or two at a time, they would have been troubled all the Year long with Feeding their Young, or Bearing them in their Womb. * Dr. More.Antid. Atheism. l. 2. c. 9.

This mention of Feeding their Young puts me in mind of two or three considerable Observations referring thereto.

First, Seeing it would be for many reasons inconvenient for Birds to give Suck, and yet no less inconvenient if not destructive to the Chicken upon exclusion all of a sudden to make so great a change in its Diet, as to pass from liquid to hard Food, before the Stomach be gradually consolidated and by use strengthened and habituated to grind and concoct it, and its tender and pappy Flesh, fitted to be nourished by such strong and solid Diet; and before the Bird be by little and little accustomed to use its Bill, and gather it up, which at first it doth but very slowly and imperfectly; therefore Nature hath provided a large Yolk in every Egg; a great part whereof remaineth after the Chicken is hatch'd, and is taken up and p. 89enclosed in its Belly, and by a channel made on purpose received by degrees into the Guts, and serves instead of Milk to nourish the Chick for a considerable time; which nevertheless mean while feeds it self by the Mouth a little at a time, and gradually more and more, as it gets a perfecter Ability and Habit of gathering up its Meat, and its Stomach is strengthen'd to macerate and concoct it, and its Flesh hardened and fitted to be nourished by it.

Secondly, That Birds which feed their Young in the Nest, though in all likelyhood they have no ability of counting the number of them, should yet, (though they bring but one morsel of Meat at a time, and have not fewer (it may be) than seven or eight Young in the Nest together, which at the return of their Dams, do all at once with equal greediness, hold up their Heads and gape,) not omit or forget one of them, but feed them all; which, unless they did carefully observe, and retain in Memory which they had fed, which not, were impossible to be done; this I say, seems to me most strange and admirable, and beyond the possibility of a meer Machine to perform.

Thirdly, the marvellous speedy growth of Birds that are hatched in Nests, and fed by the Old ones there, till they be fledg'd and come almost to their full bigness; at p. 90which perfection they arrive within the short term of about one Fortnight, seems to me an Argument of Providence designing thereby their preservation, that they might not lie long in a condition exposed to the ravine of any Vermine that may find them, being utterly unable to escape or shift for themselves.

Another and no less effectual Argument may be taken from the Care and Providence used for the hatching and rearing their young and First, they search our a secret and quiet Place, where they may be secure and undisturbed in their incubation: Then they make themselves Nests, every one after his kind, that so their Eggs and Young may lie soft and warm, and their exclusion and growth be promoted. These Nests some of them so elegant and artificial, that it is hard for man to imitate them and make the like. I have seen Nests of an Indian Bird so artificially composed of the Fibres, I think, of some Roots, so curiously interwoven and platted together as is admirable to behold: Which Nests they hang on the ends of the Twigs of Trees over the Water, to secure their Eggs and Young from the ravage of Apes and Monkeys, and other Beasts that might else prey upon them. After they have laid their Eggs, how diligently and patiently do they p. 91sit upon them till they be hatched, scarce affording themselves time to go off to get them Meat? Nay with such an ardent and impetuous desire of sitting are they inspired, that if you takeaway all their Eggs, they will sit upon an empty Nest: And yet one would think that sitting were none of the most pleasant Works. After their Young are hatcht for some time they do almost constantly Brood them under their Wings, lest the Cold, and sometimes perhaps the Heat, should harm them. All this while also they labor hard to get them Food, sparing it out of their own Bellies, and pining themselves almost to Death rather than they should want. Moreover it is admirable to observe with what courage they are at that time inspired, that they will even venture their own Lives in defence of them. The most timorous, as Hens and Geese, become then so couragious as to dare to fly in the Face of a man that shall molest or disquiet their Young, which would never do so much in their own defence. These things being contrary to any motions of Sense, or instinct of Self-preservation, and so eminent pieces of Self-denial, must needs be the Work of Providence for the continuation of the Species and upholding of the World. Especially if we p. 92consider that all this Pains is bestowed upon a thing which takes no notice of it, will render them no thanks for it, nor make them any requital or amends; and also, that after the young is come to some growth, and able to shift for it self, the old one retains no such foreign to it, takes no further care of it, but will fall upon it, and beat it indifferently with others. To these I shall add one Observation more, relating to this Head, borrowed of Dr. Cudworth, System, pag. 69. One thing necessary to the Conservation of the Species of Animals; that is, the keeping up constantly in the World a due numerical Proportion between the Sexes of Male and Female, doth necessarily infer a superintending Providence. For did this depend only upon Mechanism, it cannot well be conceived, but that in some Ages or other, there should happen to be all Males, or all Females; and so the Species fail. Nay, it cannot well be thought otherwise, but that there is in this a Providence, superiour to that of the Plastick or Spermatick Nature, which hath not so much of Knowledge and Discretion allowed to it, as whereby to be able alone to govern this Affair.

Secondly, I shall take notice of the various strange Instincts of Animals; which will necessarily demonstrate, that they are directed p. 93to Ends unknown to them, by a Wise Superintendent. As 1. That all Creatures should know how to defend themselves, and offend their Enemies; where their natural Weapons are situate, and how to make use of them. A Calf will so manage his Head as though he would push with his Horns even before they shoot. A Boar knows the use of his Tushes; A Dog of his Teeth; A Horse of his Hoofs; A Cock of his Spurs; A Bee of her Sting; A Ram will but with his Head, yea though he be brought up tame, and never saw that manner of fighting. Now, why another Animal which hath no Horns should not make a shew of pushing, or no Spurs of striking with his Legs and the like, I know not, but that every kind is providentially directed to the use of its proper and natural Weapons. 2. That those Animals that are weak, and have neither Weapons nor Courage to fight, are for the most part created Swift of Foot or Wing, and so being naturally timorous, are both willing and able to save themselves by flight. 3. That Poultrey, Partridge and other Birds should at the first sight know Birds of Prey, and make sign of it by a peculiar note of their Voice to their young, who presently thereupon hide themselves: That the Lamb should acknowledge p. 94the Wolf its Enemy, though it had never seen one before, as is taken for granted by most Naturalists, and may for ought I know be true, argues the Providence of Nature, or more truly the God of Nature, who for their preservation hath put such an Instinct into them. 4. That young Animals, so soon as they are brought forth, should know their Food. As For Example, Such as are nourished with Milk, presently find their way to the Paps, and suck at them, whereas none of those that are not designed for that nourishment ever offer to suck, or to seek out any such food. Again, 5. That such Creatures as are whole-footed or fin-toed, viz. some Birds and some Quadrupeds, are naturally directed to go into the water and swim there, as we see Ducklings, though hatch'd and led by a Hen, if she brings them to the brink of a River or Pond of Water, they presently leave her, and in they go, though they never saw any such thing done before; and though the Hen clocks and calls, and doth what she can to keep them out: So that we see every part in Animals is fitted to its Use, and the Knowledge of this Use put into them. For neither do any sort of webfooted Fowls live constantly upon the Land, or fear to enter the Water, nor any Land-Fowl p. 95so much as attempt to swim there. 6. Birds of the same Kind make their Nests of the same Materials, laid in the same Order, and exactly of the same Figure, so that by the sight of the Nest one may certainly know what Bird it belongs to. And this they do, though living in distant Countries, and though they never saw, nor could see any Nest made, that is, though taken out of the Nest, and brought up by hand; neither were any of the same kind ever observed to make a different Nest either for Matter or Fashion. This together with the curious and artificial Contexture of such Nests, and their fitness and convenience for the reception, hatching and cherishing the Eggs and Young of their respective builders (which we have before taken notice of) is a great Argument of a superiour Author of their and others Natures, who hath indu'd them with these Instincts, whereby they are as it were, acted and driven to bring about Ends which themselves aim not at (so far as we can discern) but are directed to; for (as Aristotle observes) foreign, They act not by any Art, neither do they enquire, neither do they deliberate about what they do. And therefore, as Dr. Cudworth saith well, they are not Masters of that Wisdom p. 96according to which they act, but only passive to the Instincts and Impresses thereof upon them. And indeed to affirm that brute Animals do all these things by a Knowledge of their own, and which themselves are Masters of, and that without Deliberation and Consultation, were to make them to be endued with a most perfect Intellect, far transcending that of Human Reason: Whereas it is plain enough, that Brutes are not above Consultation but below it; and that these Instincts of Nature in them, are nothing but a kind of Fate upon them. 7. The Bee, a Creature of the lowest form of Animals, so that no man can suspect it to have any considerable measure of Understanding, or to have Knowledge of, much less to aim at any End, yet makes her Combs and Cells with that Geometrical Accuracy, that she must needs be acted by an Instinct implanted in her by the wise Author of Nature. For first, she plants them in a perpendicular posture, and so close together as with conveniency they may, beginning at the top, and working downwards, that so no room may be lost in the Hive, and that she may have easie access to all the Combs and Cells. Besides, the Combs being wrought double, that is, with Cells on each side, a common bottom or partitionwall p. 97could not in any other site have so conveniently, if at all, received or contained the Honey. Then she makes the particular Cells most Geometrically and Artificially, as the famous Mathematician Pappus demonstrates in the Preface to his third Book of Mathematical Collections. First of all (saith he, speaking of the Cells,) It is convenient that they be of such figures as may cohere one to another, and have common sides, else there would be empty spaces left between them to no use, but to the weakening and spoiling of the work, if any thing should get in there. And therefore though a round figure be most capacious for the Honey, and most convenient for the Bee to creep into, yet did she not make choice of that, because then there must have been triangular spaces left void. Now there are only three rectilineous and ordinate figures which can serve to this purpose; and inordinate or unlike ones must have been not only less elegant and beautiful but unequal. [Ordinate Figures are such as have all their Sides and all their Angles equal.] The three Ordinate Figures, are Triangles, Squares, and Hexagons. For the space about any point may be filled up either by six equilateral Triangles, or four Squares, or three Hexagons; whereas three Pentagons are too little and three Heptagons too much. Of p. 98these three the Bee makes use of the Hexagon, both because it is more capacious than either of the other, provided they be of equal compass, and so equal matter spent in the construction of each: And Secondly, Because it is most commodious for the Bee to creep into: And Lastly, Because in the other Figures more Angles and Sides must have met together at the same point, and so the work could not have been so firm and strong. Moreover, the Combs being double, the Cells on each side the partition are so ordered, that the Angles on one side, insist upon the Centers of the bottoms of the Cells on the other side, and not Angle upon, or against Angle; which also must needs contribute to the strength and firmness of the work. Another sort of Bee I have observed, it may be called the Tree-Bee, whose industry is admirable in making provision for her young. First, She digs round Vaults or Burrows [Cuniculos] in a rotten or decayed Tree, of a great length, in them she builds or forms her cylindrical Nests or Cases, resembling Cartrages, or a very narrow Thimble, only in proportion longer, of pieces of Rose or other Leaves which she shares off with her mouth, and plats and joyns close together by some glutinous Substance. These Cases she fills with a red Pap, of a thinner consistence than p. 99an Electuary, of no pleasant taste, which where she gathers, I know not: On the top of the Pap, she lays one Egg, and then closes up the Vessel with a cover of leaves. The enclosed Egg soon becomes an Eula or Maggor, which feeding upon the Pap till it comes to its full growth changes to a Nympha, and after comes out a Bee. Another Insect noted for her seeming prudence, in making provision for the Winter, proposed by Solomon to the Sluggard for his imitation, is the Ant, which (as all Naturalists agree) hoards up grains of Corn against the Winter for her Sustenance: And is reported by some to **Plin. l. 11. c. 30.bite off the germen of them, lest they should sprout by the moisture of the Earth, which I look upon as a mere fiction; neither should I be forward to credit the former relation, were it not for the Authority of the Scripture, because I could never observe any such storing up of Grain by our Country-Ants.

Yet is there a Quadruped taken notice of even by the vulgar for laying up in store provision for the Winter, that is, the Squirrel, whose hoards of Nuts are frequently found and pillaged by them.

The Beaver is by credible persons Eyewitnesses affirmed to build him Houses for shelter and security in Winter-time: See Mr. Boyl of Final Causes.

p. 100Besides these I have mentioned, an Hundred others may be found in Books relating especially to Physick; as that Dogs when they are Sick should vomit themselves by eating Grass: That Swine should refuse Meat so soon as they feel themselves ill, and so recover by Abstinence: That the Bird Ibis should teach Men the way of administring Clysters. Plin. lib. 8. cap. 27. The wild Goats of Dictamnus for drawing out of Darts, and healing Wounds: The Swallow the use of Celandine for repairing the Sight, &c. ibid. Of the truth of which because I am not fully satisfied, I shall make no Inference from them.

Thirdly, I shall remark the Care that is taken for the preservation of the Weak and such as are exposed to Injuries, and preventing the encrease of such as are noisom and hurtful: For as it is a Demonstration of the divine Power and Magnificence to create such variety of Animals, not only great but small, not only strong and couragious, but also weak and timerous; so is it no less Argument of his Wisdom to give to these Means, and the Power and Skill of using them, to preserve themselves from the violence and Injuries of those. That of the weak some should dig Vaults and Holes in the Earth, as Rabbets, to secure p. 101themselves and their Young; others should be armed with hard Shels; others with Prickles, the rest that have no such armature should be endued with great Swiftness or Pernicity: And not only so, but some also have their Eyes stand so prominent, as the Hare, that they can see as well behind as before them, that so they may have their Enemy always in their Eye; and long, hollow, moveable Ears, to receive and convey the least sound, or that which comes from far, that they be not suddenly surprised or taken (as they say) napping. As for Sheep, which have no natural Weapons or Means to defend or secure themselves, neither Heels to run nor claws to dig; they are delivered into the Hand, and committed to the care and tuition of Man, and serving him for divers Uses, are nourished and protected by him; and so enjoying their Beings for a time, by this means propagate and continue their Species: So that there are none destitute of some Means to preserve themselves and their kind; and these Means so effectual, that notwithstanding all the endeavors and contrivances of Man and Beast to destroy them, there is not to this day one Species lost of such as are mentioned in Histories, and consequently and undoubtedly neither of such as were at first created.

p. 102Then for Birds of Prey and rapacious Animals, it is remarkable what Aristotle observes, That they are all solitary, and go not in Flocks, foreign. No Birds of Prey are gregarious. Again, That such Creatures do not greatly multiply foreign. They for the most part breeding and bringing forth but one or two, or at least a few young ones at once: Whereas they that are feeble and timorous are generally multiparous; or if they bring forth but few at once, as Pigeons, they compensate that by their often breeding, viz. every Month but two throughout the Year; by this means providing for the continuation of their kind.

Fourthly, I shall note the exact Fitness of the Parts of the Bodies of Animals to every ones Nature and manner of living. Of this Dr. **Antidote against Atheism l. 2. c. 10.More produces an eminent Instance in a poor contemptible Quadruped, the Mole. First of all (saith he) her dwelling being under ground, where nothing is to be seen, Nature hath so obscurely fitted her with Eyes, that Naturalists can scarcely agree, whether she hath any Sight at all or no [In our Observation, Moles have perfect Eyes, and holes for them through the Skin, so that they are outwardly to be seen by any that shall p. 103diligently search for them; though indeed they are exceeding small, not much bigger than a great Pins head.] But for amends, what she is capable of for her defence and warning of danger, she has very eminently conferred upon her; for she is very quick of hearing [doubtless her subterraneous Vaults are like Trunks to convey any Sound a great way.] And then her short Tail, and short Legs, but broad fore-Feet armed with sharp Claws, we see by the event to what purpose they are, she so swiftly working her self under Ground, and making her way so fast in the Earth, as they that behold it cannot but admire it. Her Legs therefore are short that she need dig no more than will serve the mere thickness of her Body: And her fore-Feet are broad, that she may scoup away much Earth at a time: And she has little or no Tail, because she courses it not on the Ground like a Rat or Mouse, but lives under the Earth, and is fain to dig her self a dwelling there; and she making her way through so thick an Element, which will not easily yield as the Water and Air do; it had been dangerous to draw so long a train behind her; for her Enemy might fall upon her rear, and fetch her out before she had perfected and got full Possession of her p. 104Works: Which being so, what more palpable Argument of Providence than She?

Another instance in Quadrupeds might be the Tamandua or Ant Bear, described by Marcgrave and Piso, who saith of them, that they are Night walkers, and seek their Food by Night. Being kept tame they are fed with Flesh, but it must be minced small, because they have not only a slender and sharp Head and Snout, but also a narrow and toothless Mouth; their Tongue is like a great Lute string (as big as a Goosequill) round, and in the greater Kind (for there are two Species) more than two foot long, and therefore lies doubled in a Channel between the lower parts of the Cheeks. This when hungry they thrust forth, being well moistened, and lay upon the Trunks of Trees, and when it is covered with Ants suddenly draw it back into their Mouths; if the Ants lie so deep that they cannot come at them, they dig up the Earth with their long and strong Claws, wherewith for that purpose their fore-Feet are armed. So we see how their Parts are fitted for this kind of Diet, and no other; for the catching of it and for the eating of it, it requiring no comminution by the Teeth, as appears also in the Chamaeleon, which is p. 105another Quadruped that imitates the Tamandua in this property of darting out the Tongue to a great length, with wonderful celerity, and for the same purpose too of catching of Insects.

Besides these Quadrupeds, there are a whole Genus of Birds, called Pici Martii or Woodpeckers, that in like manner have a Tongue which they can shoot forth to a very great length, ending in a sharp stiff bony tip, dented on each side; and at pleasure thrust it deep into the holes, clefts and crannies of Trees, to stab and draw out Cossi or any other Insects lurking there, as also into Anthills, to strike and fetch out the Ants and their Eggs. Moreover they have short but very strong Legs, and their Toes stand two forwards two backwards, which disposition (as Aldrovandus well notes) Nature, or rather the Wisdom of the Creator, hath granted to Woodpeckers, because it is very convenient for the climbing of Trees, to which also conduces the stiffness of the Feathers of their Tails and there bending downward, whereby they are fitted to serve as a prop for them to lean upon and bear up their Bodies. As for the Chamaeleon he imitates the Woodspite, not only in the make, motion and use of his Tongue for striking Ants, Flies, p. 106and other Insects; but also in the site of his Toes, whereby he is wonderfully qualified to run upon Trees, which he doth with that swiftness, that one would think he flew, whereas upon the ground he walks very clumfily and ridiculously. A full description of the outward and inward parts of this Animal, may be seen at the end of Panarolus's Observat. It is to be noted, that the Chamelion, though he hath Teeth, uses them not for chewing his Prey, but swallows it immediately.

II. In Birds all the Members are most exactly fitted for the use of flying. First, The Muscles which serve to move the Wings are the greatest and strongest, because much force is required to the agitation of them; the underside of them is also made concave, and the upper convex, that they may be easily lifted up, and more strongly beat the Air, which by this means doth more resist the descent of their body downward. Then the Trunk of their body doth somewhat resemble the Hull of a Ship; the Head the Prow, which is for the most part small, that it may the more easily cut the Air, and make way for their bodies; the Train serves to steer, govern and direct their flight, and however it may be held erect in their standing or walking, yet is directed to lye almost in the p. 107same plain with their Backs, or rather a little inclining, when they fly. That the Train serves to sleer and direct their flight, and turn their Bodies like the Rudder of a Ship is evident in the Kite, who by a light turning of his Train, moves his Body which way he pleases. Iidem videntur artem gubernandi docuisse caudae flexibus, in Caelo monstrante natura quod opus esset in profundo. Plin. lib. 10. cap. 10. They seem to have taught men the Art of steering a Ship by the flexures of their Tails; Nature shewing in the Air what was needful to be done in the Deep. And it's notable that Aristotle truly observes, that whole-footed Birds, and those that have long Legs, have for the most part short Tails; and therefore whilest they fly, do not as others draw them up to their Bellies, but stretch them at length backwards, that they may serve to steer and guide them instead of Tails. Neither doth the Tail serve only to direct and govern. the flight, but also partly to support the Body and keep it even, wherefore when spread, it lies parallel to the horizon, and stands not perpendicular to it, as Fishes do. Hence Birds that have no Tails, as some sorts of Colymbi or Douckers fly very inconveniently with their Bodies almost erect.

p. 108III. As for Fishes their Bodies are long and slender, or else thin for the most part, for their more easie swimming and dividing the water. The wind-bladder, wherewith most of them are furnished, serves to poise their Bodies, and keep them equiponderant to the water, which else would sink to the bottom, and lie grovelling there, as hath by breaking the Bladder been experimentally found. By the contraction and dilatation of this Bladder, they are able to raise or sink themselves at pleasure, and continue in what depth of water they list. The Fins made of gristly spokes or rays connected by Membranes, so that they may be contracted or extended like Womens fans, and furnished with Muscles for motion, serve partly for progression, but chiefly to hold the Body upright; which appears in that when they are cut off, it wavers to and fro, and so soon as the Fish dies, the Belly turns upward. The great strength by which Fishes dart themselves forward with incredible celerity, like an Arrow out of a Bow, lies in their Tails, their Fins mean time, lest they should retard their motion, being held close to their Bodies. And therefore almost the whole Musculous Flesh of the Body is bestowed upon the Tail and Back, and serves for the vibration of the Tail, the heaviness and corpulency p. 109of the Water, requiring a great force to divide it. I might here take notice of those Amphibious Creatures, which we may call Aquatic Quadrupeds (though one of them there is that hath but two Feet, viz. the Manati or Sea-Cow) the Beaver, the Otter, the Phoca or Sea Calf, the Water-Rat, and the Frog, the Toes of whose Feet are joyned by membranes, as in Water-Fowls for swimming; and who have very small Ears, and Ear-holes, as the Cetaceous Fishes have for hearing in the Water.

To this head belongs the adapting of the parts that minister to Generation in the Sexes one to another; and in Creatures that nourish their Young with Milk, the Nipples of the Breast to the Mouth and Organs of Suction; which he must needs be wilfully blind and void of sence, that either discerns not, or denies to be intended and made one for the other. That the Nipples should be made spungy, and with such perforations, as to admit passage to the Milk when drawn, otherwise to retain it; and the Teeth of the Young either not spungy, or so soft and tender, as not to hurt the Nipples of the Dam, are Effects and Arguments of Providence and Design.

To this head of the fitness of the parts of the Body to the Creatures Nature and manner p. 110of living, belongs that observation of Aristotle, foreign. Such Birds as have crooked Beaks and Talons, are all carnivorous; and so of Quadrupeds, foreign carnivora omnia. All that have serrate Teeth, are carnivorous. This observation holds true concerning all European Birds, but I know not but that Parrots may be an exception to it. Yet it is remarkable, that such Birds as are carnivorous have no Gizzard, or musculous, but a membranous Stomach; that kind of food needing no such grinding or comminution as Seeds do, but being torn into strings, or small flakes by the Beak, may be easily concocted by a membranous Stomach.

To the fitness of all the parts and members of Animals to their respective uses may also be referred another observation of the same Aristotle, foreign. All Animals have even Feet, not more on one side than another; which if they had, would either hinder their walking, or hang by not only useless, but also burthensome. For though a Creature might make limping shift to hop, suppose with three Feet, yet nothing so conveniently or steddily to walk, or run, or indeed to stand. So that we see, Nature hath made choice p. 111of what is most fit, proper and useful. They have also not only an even number of Feet, answering by pairs one to another, which is as well decent as convenient; but those too of an equal length, I mean the several pairs; whereas were those on one side longer than they on the other, it would have caused an inconvenient halting or limping in their going.

I shall mention but one more Observation of Aristotle, that is, foreign, there is no Creature only volatile, or no flying Animal but hath Feet as well as Wings, a power of walking or creeping upon the Earth; because there is no food, or at least not sufficient Food for them to be had always in the Air; or if in hot Countries we may suppose there is, the Air being never without store of Insects flying about in it, yet could such Birds take no Rest, for having no Feet, they could not perch upon Trees, and if they should alight upon the Ground, they could by no means raise themselves any more, as we see those Birds which have but short Feet, as the Swift and Martinet, with difficulty do. Besides, they would want means of breeding, having no where to lay their Eggs, to Sit, Hatch or Brood their Young. As for the Story of the Manucodiata or Bird of Paradise, which in the p. 112former Age was generally received and accepted for true, even by the Learned, it is now discovered to be a Fable, and rejected and exploded by all men: Those Birds being well known to have Legs and Feet, as well as others, and those not short, small not feeble ones, but sufficiently great and strong and armed with crooked Talons, as being the Members of Birds of Prey.

But against the Uses of several Bodies I Object.have instanced in that refer to Man it may be objected, that these uses were not designed by Nature in the formation of the things; but that the things were by the wit of Man accommodated to those Uses.

To which I answer with Dr. More in the Appendix to his Antidote against Atheism. That the several useful dependencies of this kind, (viz. of Stones, Timber, and Metals for building of Houses or Ships, the Magnet for Navigation, &c. Fire for melting of Metals and forging of Instruments for the purposes mentioned) we only find, not make them. For whether we think of it or no, it is, for Example, manifest, that Fuel is good to continue Fire, and Fire to melt Metals, and Metals to make Instruments to build Ships and Houses, and so on. Wherefore it being true, that there is such a subordinate p. 113usefulness in the Things themselves that are made to our Hand, it is but reason in us to impute it to such a Cause as was aware of the usefulness and serviceableness of its own Works. To which I shall add, that since we find Materials so fit to serve all the Necessities and Conveniences, and to exercise and employ the Wit and Industry of an intelligent and active Being, and since there is such an one created that is endued with Skill and Ability to use them, and which by their help is enabled to rule over and subdue all inferiour Creatures, but without them had been left necessitous, helpless and obnoxious to Injuries above any other; and since the omniscient Creator could not but know all the Uses, to which they might and would be employed by Man, to them that acknowledge the Being of a Deity, it is little less than a Demonstration, that they were created intentionally, I do not say only, for those uses.

Methinks by all this Provision for the Use and Service of Man, the Almighty interpretatively speaks to him in this manner, I have placed thee in a spacious and well furnished World. I have endued thee with an ability of understanding what is beautiful and proportionable, and have made that p. 114which is so agreeable and delightful to thee; I have provided thee with Materials whereon to exercise and employ thy Art and Strength; I have given thee an excellent Instrument, the Hand, accommodated to make use of them all; I have distinguished the Earth into Hills, and Valleys, and Plains, and Meadows, and Woods; all these parts capable of Culture and Improvement by thy Industry; I have committed to thee for thy assistance in thy labors of Plowing, and Carrying, and Drawing, and Travel; the laborious Ox, the patient Ass, and the strong and serviceable Horse; I have created a multitude of Seeds for thee to make choice out of them, of what is most pleasant to thy Tast, and of most wholsom and pleasant Nourishment; I have also made great variety of Trees, bearing Fruit both for Food and Physick, those too capable of being meliorated and improved by Transplantation, Stercoration, Insition, Pruning, Watering, and other Arts and Devices. Till and manure thy Fields, sow them with thy Seeds, extirpate noxious and unprofitable Herbs, guard them from the invasions and spoil of Beasts, clear and fence in thy Meadows and Pastures; dress and prune thy Vines, and so rank and dispose them as is most sutable to the Climate; Plant thee Orchards, with p. 115all sorts of Fruit-Trees in such order as may be most beautiful to the Eye, and most comprehensive of Plants; Gardens for culinary Herbs, and all kinds of Salletting; for delectable Flowers, to gratifie the Eye with their agreeable Colors and Figures, and thy scent with their fragrant Odors; for odoriferous and ever-green Shrubs and Suffrutices; for exotick and medicinal Plants of all sorts, and dispose them in that comly order, as may be both pleasant to behold, and commodious for Access. I have furnished thee with all Materials for building, as Stone, and Timber, and Slate, and Lime, and Clay, and Earth whereof to make Bricks and Tiles. Deck and bespangle the Country with Houses and Villages convenient for thy Habitation, provided with Out-houses and Stables for the harbouring and shelter of thy Cattle, with Barns and Granaries for the reception, and custody, and storing up thy Corn and Fruits. I have made thee a sociable Creature, foreign, for the improvement of thy Understanding by Conference, and communication of Observations and Experiments; for mutual help, assistance and defence; build thee large Towns and Cities with streight and well paved Streets, and elegant rows of Houses, adorned with magnificent Temples p. 116for my Honour and Worship, with beautiful Palaces for thy Princes and Grandees, with stately Halls for publick meetings of the Citizens and their several Companies, and the Sessions of the Courts of Judicature, besides publick Portico's and Aquaeducts. I have implanted in thy Nature a desire of seeing strange and foreign and finding out unknown Countries, for the improvement and advancement of thy Knowledge in Geography, by observing the Bays, and Creeks, and Havens, and Promontories, the outlets of Rivers, the situations of the maritime Towns and Cities, the Longitude and Latitude, &c. of those Places: In Politicks, by noting their Government, their Manners, Laws and Customs, their Diet and Medicine, their Trades and Manufactures, their Houses and Buildings, their Exercises and Sports &c. In Physiology or Natural History, by searching out their natural Rarities, the productions both of Land and Water, what Species of Animals, Plants and Minerals, of Fruits and Drogues are to be found there, what Commodities for Bartering and Permutation, whereby thou maist be enabled to make large Additions to Natural History, to advance those other Sciences, and to benefit and enrich thy Country by encrease of its p. 117Trade and Merchandise: I have given thee Timber and Iron to build thee Huls of Ships, tall Trees for Masts, Flax and Hemp for Sails, Cables, and Cordage for Rigging. I have armed thee with Courage and Hardiness to attempt the Seas, and traverse the spacious Plains of that liquid Element; I have assisted thee with a Compass, to direct thy Course when thou shalt be out of all Ken of Land, and have nothing in view but Sky and Water. Go thither for the Purposes before mentioned, and bring home what may be useful and beneficial to thy Country in general, or thy Self in particular.

I perswade my self, that the bountiful and gracious Author of Mans Being and Faculties, and all things else, delights in the Beauty of his Creation, and is well pleased with the Industry of Man in adorning the Earth with beautiful Cities and Castles, with pleasant Villages and Country Houses, with regular Gardens and Orchards and Plantations of all sorts of Shrubs, and Herbs, and Fruits, for Meat, Medicine or moderate Delight, with shady Woods and Groves, and Walks set with rows of elegant Trees; with Pastures clothed with Flocks, and Valleys covered over with Corn, and Meadows burthened with Grass, and whatever else p. 118differenceth a civil and well cultivated Region from a barren and desolate Wilderness.

If a Country thus planted and adorned, thus polished and civilized, thus improved to the height by all manner of Culture for the Support and Sustenance, and convenient Entertainment of innumerable multitudes of People, be not to be preferred before a Barbarous and Inhospitable Scythia, without Houses, without Plantations, without Corn-fields or Vineyards, where the roving Hords of the savage and truculent Inhabitants, transfer themselves from place to place in Wagons, as they can find Pasture and Forage for their Cattle, and live upon Milk and Flesh roasted in the Sun at the Pomels of their Saddles; or a rude and unpolished America, peopled with slothful and naked Indians, instead of well-built Houses, living in pitiful Hutts and Cabans, made of Poles set endways; then surely the brute Beasts Condition and manner of Living, to which, what we have mention'd doth nearly approach, is to be esteemed better than Mans, and Wit and Reason was in vain bestowed on him.

Lastly, I might draw an Argument of the admirable Art and Skill of the Creator and Composer of them from the incredible Smalness p. 119of some of those natural and enlivened Machines, the Bodies of Animals.

Any work of Art of extraordinary Fineness and Subtlety, be it but a small Engine or Movement, or a curious carved or turned work of Ivory or Metals, such as those Cups turned of Ivory by Oswaldus Nerlinger of Suevia, mentioned by Joan. Faber in his Expositions of Recchus his Mexican Animals, which all had the perfect form of Cups, and were Gilt with a Golden Border about the Brim, of that wonderful smalness, that Faber himself put a Thousand of them into an excavated Pepper corn, and when he was weary of the work, and yet had not filled the Vessel, his Friend John Carolus Schad, that shewed them him, put in Four Hundred more. Any such Work, I say, is beheld with much admiration, and purchased at a great Rate, and treasured up as a singular Rarity in the Museums and Cabinets of the curious, and as such is one of the first things shew'd to Travellers and Strangers But what are these for their fineness and parvity (for which alone and their Figure they are considerable) to those minute Machines endued with life and motion, I mean the Bodies of those Animalcula not long since discovered in Pepper water by Mr. Lewenhoek of Delft in Holland, (whose Observations p. 120were confirmed and improved by our Learned and Worthy Country-man Mr. Robert Hook,) who tells us, that some of his Friends (whose Testimonials he desired) did affirm, that they had seen 10000, others 30000, others 45000 little living Creatures in a quantity of Water no bigger than a grain of Millet. And yet he made it his request to them, that they would only justifie (that they might be within compass) half the number that they believed each of them saw in the Water. From the greatest of these numbers he infers, that there will be 8280000 of these living Creatures seen in one drop of Water; which number (saith he) I can with Truth affirm I have discerned. This (proceeds he) doth exceed belief. But I do affirm, if a larger Grain of Sand were broken into 8000000, of equal Parts, one of these would not exceed the bigness of one of those Creatures. Mr. Hook tells us, that after he had discovered vast multitudes of those exceeding small Creatures which Mr. Lewenhoeck had described, upon making use of other Lights and Glasses, he not only magnified those he had discovered to a very great bigness, but discovered many other sorts very much smaller than them he first saw, and some of them so exceeding small, that Millions of Millions might be p. 121contained in one drop of Water. If Pliny, considering such Insects as were known to him, and those were none but what were visible to the naked Eye, was moved to cry out, That the artifice of Nature was no where more conspicuous than in these; and again, In his tam parvis atque tam nullis quae ratio, quanta vis, quàm inextricabilis perfectio? and again, Rerum natura nusquam magis quàm in minimis tota est. Hist. Nat. l. 11. c. 1. What would he have said if he had seen Animals of so stupendous smalness as I have mentioned? how would he have been rapt into an extasie of Astonishment and Admiration?

Again, if considering the Body of a Gnat, (which by his own confession is none of the least of Insects) he could make so many admiring Queries, Where hath Nature disposed so many Senses in a Gnat? Ubi visum praetendit? ubi gustatum applicavit? ubi odoratum inseruit? ubi verò truculentam illam & portione maximam vocem ingeneravit? quâ subtilitate pennas adnexuit? praelongavit pedum crura? disposuit jejunam caveam uti alvum? avidam sanguinis & potissimum humani sitim accendit? telum vero perfodiendo tergori quo spiculavit ingenio? atque ut in capaci, cùm cerni non possit exilitas, ità reciproca geminavit arte, ut fodiendo acuminatum pariter sorbendoque fistulosum esset. p. 122Which Words should I translate would lose of their emphasis and elegancy. If, I say, he could make such Queries about the Members of a Gnat. What may we make? and what would he in all likelyhood have made had he seen these incredible small living Creatures? How would he have admired the immense subtilty (as he phrases it) of their Parts? for to use Mr. Hook's Words in his Microscopium p. 103. If these Creatures be so exceeding small, what must we think of their Muscles and other Parts? Certain it is that the Mechanism by which Nature performs the Muscular Motion is exceedingly small and curious; and to the performance of every Muscular Motion, in greater Animals at least, there are not fewer distinct parts concerned than many Millions of Millions, and these visible through a Microscope.

Let us then consider the Works of God, and observe the Operations of his Hands: Use.Let us take notice of and admire his infinite Wisdom and Goodness in the Formation of them: No Creature in this Sublunary World is capable of so doing beside Man; and yet we are deficient herein: We content our selves with the knowledge of the Tongues, and a little skill in Philology, or History perhaps and Antiquity, p. 123and neglect that which to me seems more material, I mean Natural History and the Works of the Creation: I do not discommend or derogate from those other Studies: I should betray mine own Ignorance and Weakness should I do so; I only wish they might not altogether justle out and exclude this. I wish that this might be brought in Fashion among us; I wish men would be so equal and civil, as not to disparage, deride and vilifie those Studies which themselves skill not of, or are not conversant in; no Knowledge can be more pleasant than this, none that doth so satisfie and feed the Soul; in comparison whereto that of Words and Phrases seems to me insipid and jejune. That Learning (saith a wise and observant Prelate) which consists only in the form and pedagogy of Arts, or the critical notions upon Words and Phrases, hath in it this intrinsical Imperfection, that it is only so far to be esteemed as it conduceth to the knowledg of Things, being in it self but a kind of Pedantry, apt to infect a man with such odd Humors of Pride, and Affectation, and Curiosity, as will render him unfit for any great Employment. Words being but the Images of Matter, to be wholly given up to the Study of these. What is it but Pygmalions p. 124Phrenzy, to fall in Love with a Picture or Image. As for Oratory which is the best skill about Words, that hath by some Wise men been esteemed but a voluptuary Art, like to Cookery, which spoils wholsome Meats and helps unwholsome, by the variety of Sawces serving more to the Pleasure of Tast, than the Health of the Body.

It may be (for ought I know, and as some Divines have thought) part of our business and employment in Eternity to contemplate the Works of God, and give him the Glory of his Wisdom, Power and Goodness manifested in the Creation of them. I am sure it is part of the business of a Sabbath-day, and the Sabbath is a Type of that eternal Rest; for the Sabbath seems to have been first instituted for a commemoration of the Works of the Creation, from which God is said to have rested upon the Seventh Day.

Let it not suffice us to be Book-learned, to read what others have written, and to take upon trust more Falshood than Truth: but let us our selves examine things as we have opportunity, and converse with Nature as well as Books. Let us endeavour to promote and increase this Knowledge, and make new Discoveries, not so much distrusting our own Parts, or despairing of our own Abilities, as to think that our Industry p. 125can add nothing to the Inventions of our Ancestors, or correct any of their mistakes. Let us not think that the bounds of Science are fixed like Hercules his Pillars, and inscribed with a Ne plus ultra. Let us not think we have done when we have learnt what they have delivered to us. The Treasures of Nature are inexhaustible. Here is Employment enough for the vastest Parts, the most indefatigable Industries, the fairest Opportunities, the most prolix and undisturbed Vacancies. Much might be done would we but endeavour, and nothing is insuperable to pains and patience. I know that a new Study at first, seems very Vast, Intricate and Difficult; but after a little Resolution and Progress, after a man becomes a little acquainted, as I may so say, with it, his Understanding is wonderfully cleared up and enlarged, the difficulties vanish, and the thing grows easie and familiar. And for our Encouragement in this Study, observe what the Psalmist saith, Psal. 111. 2. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. Which though it be principally spoken of the Works of Providence, yet may as well be verified of the Works of Creation. I am sorry to see so little Account made of real Experimental Philosophy p. 126in this University, and that those ingenious Sciences of the Mathematicks, are so much neglected by us: and therefore do earnestly exhort those that are young, especially Gentlemen, to set upon these Studies, and take some pains in them. They may possibly invent something of eminent Use and Advantage to the World; and one such Discovery would abundantly compensate the Expence and Travel of one mans whole Life. However, it is enough to maintain and continue what is already invented: neither do I see what more ingenious and manly Employment they can pursue, tending more to the Satisfaction of their own Minds, and the Illustration of the Glory of God. For he is wonderful in all his Works.

But I would not have any man cross his natural Genius or Inclinations, or undertake such methods of Study, as his Parts are not fitted to, or not serve those Ends to which his Friends upon mature Deliberation have designed him; but those who do abound with leisure, or who have a natural Propension and Genius inclining them thereto, or those who by reason of the Strength and Greatness of their Parts, are able to compass and comprehend the whole Latitude of Learning.

p. 127Neither yet need those who are designed to Divinity it self, fear to look into these Studies, or think they will engross their whole time, and that no considerable Progress can be made therein, unless men lay aside and neglect their ordinary Callings, and necessary Employments. No such matter. Our Life is long enough, and we might find time enough, did we husband it well: Vitam non accepimus brevem sed fecimus, nec inopes ejus, sed prodigi sumus, as Seneca saith. And did but young men fill up that time with these Studies, which lies upon their hands, which they are incumbred with, and troubled how to pass away, much might be done even so. I do not see but the Study of true Physiology, may be justly accounted a proper foreign, or Preparative to Divinity. But to leave that, It is a generally received Opinion, that all this visible world was created for Man; that Man is the end of the Creation, as if there were no other end of any Creature, but some way or other to be serviceable to man. This Opinion is as old as Tully, for saith he, in his Second Book, De Nat. Deorum. Principio ipse Mundus Deorum hominum que causâ factus est; quae que in eo sunt omnia ea parata ad fructum hominum & inventa sunt. But though this be vulgarly received, yet Wise Men now adays p. 128think otherwise. Dr. **Antid. Atheism. l. 2. c. 11.More affirms, That Creatures are made to enjoy themselves, as well as to serve us, and that it's a gross piece of Ignorance and Rusticity to think otherwise. And in another place, This comes only out of Pride and Ignorance or a haughty Presumption, because we are encouraged to believe, that in some sence, all things are made for Man, therefore to think that they are not at all made for themselves. But he that pronounceth this, is ignorant of the Nature of Man, and the Knowledge of Things. For if a good Man be merciful to his Beast, then surely, a good God is Bountiful and Benign, and takes pleasure that all his Creatures enjoy themselves that have Life and Sense, and are capable of Enjoyment. For my part, I cannot believe that all the things in the world were so made for Man, that they have no other use.

For it is highly absurd and unreasonable, to think that Bodies of such vast magnitude as the fixt Stars, were only made to twinkle to us; nay, a multitude of them there are, that do not so much as twinkle, being either by reason of their Distance or of their Smalness, altogether invisible to the naked Eye, and only discoverable by a Telescope, and it is likely perfecter Telescopes p. 129than we yet have, may bring to light many more; and who knows, how many may lie out of the ken of the best Telescope that can possibly be made. And I believe there are many Species in Nature, which were never yet taken notice of by Man, and consequently of no Use to him, which yet we are not to think were Created in vain; but it's likely (as the Doctor saith) to partake of the overflowing Goodness of the Creator, and enjoy their own beings. But though in this sence it be not true, that all things were made for Man; yet thus far it is, that all the Creatures in the world may be some way or other useful to us, at least to exercise our Wits and Understandings, in considering and contemplating of them, and so afford us Subject of Admiring and Glorifying their and our Maker. Seeing then, we do believe and assert that all things were in some sence made for us, we are thereby obliged to make use of them for those purposes for which they serve us, else we frustrate this End of their Creation. Now some of them serve only to exercise our Minds: many others there be, which might probably serve us to good purpose, whose Uses are not discovered, nor are they ever like to be, without Pains and Industry. True it is, many of the greatest Inventions p. 130have been accidentally stumbled upon, but not by men supine and careless, but busie and inquisitive. Some Reproach methinks it is to Learned Men, that there should be so many Animals still in the World, whose outward shape is not yet taken notice of, or described, much less their way of Generation, Food, Manners, Uses, observed. If Man ought to reflect upon his Creator the Glory of all his Works, then ought he to take notice of them all, and not to think any thing unworthy of his Cognizance. And truly the Wisdom, Art and Power of Almighty God, shines forth as visibly in the Structure of the Body of the minutest Insect, as in that of a Horse or Elephant: Therefore God is said to be, maximus in minimis. We men, esteeming it a more difficult Matter, and of greater Art and Curiosity to frame a small Watch, than a large Clock: And no man blames him who spent his whole time in the consideration of the Nature and Works of a Bee, or thinks his subject was too narrow. Let us not then esteem any thing contemptible or inconsiderable, or below our notice taking; for this is to derogate from the Wisdom and Art of the Creator, and to confess our selves unworthy of those Endowments of Knowledge and Understanding which he hath bestowed on us. Do we praise Daedalus, p. 131and Architas, and Hero, and Callicrates, and Albertus Magnus, and many others which I might mention, for their cunning in inventing, and dexterity in framing and composing a few dead Engines or Movements: and shall we not admire and magnifie the Great foreign, Former of the World, who hath made so many, yea I may say innumerable, rare Pieces, and those too not dead ones, such as cease presently to move so soon as the Spring is down, but all living, and themselves performing their own Motions, and those so intricate, and various, and requiring such a multitude of Parts and subordinate Machins, that it is incomprehensible, what Art, and Skill, and Industry, must be employed in the Framing of one of them.

But it may be objected, That God Almighty was not so selfish and desirous of Glory, as to make the World and all the Creatures therein, only for his own Honour, and to be Praised by Man. To assert this, were in Des Cartes his Opinion, an absurd and Childish thing, and a resembling of God to proud Man. It is more worthy the Deity to attribute the Creation of the World to the exundation and overflowing of his Transcendent and Infinite Goodness, which is of its own Nature and in the very notion of it most Free, Diffusive, and Communicative.

p. 132To this I shall answer in two Words. First, The Testimony of Scripture makes God in all his Actions to Intend and Design his own Glory mainly. Prov. 16. 4. God made all things for himself. How, for Himself? He had no Need of them: he hath no Use of them. No, he made them for the manifestation of his Power, Wisdom, and Goodness, and that he might receive from the Creatures that were able to take notice thereof his Tribute of Praise. Psal. 50. 14. Offer unto God thanksgiving. and in the next verse, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorifie me. And again in the last Verse, Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me. So Praise is called a Sacrifice, and the Calves of the Lips, Hosea 14. 2. Esay 42. 8. I am the Lord, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another. Esay 48. 11. And I will not give my glory to another. And to me it seems, that where the Heavens and Earth, and Sun, and Moon, and Stars, and all other Creatures are called upon to Praise the Lord; the meaning and intention is, to invite and stir up Man to take notice of all those Creatures, and to Admire and Praise the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God manifested in the Creation and Designations of them. Secondly, It is most reasonable that God Almighty should intend his own p. 133Glory. For he being Infinite in all Excellencies and Perfections, and Independent upon any other Being; nothing can be said or thought of him too great, and which he may not justly challenge as his Due; nay, He cannot think too highly of Himself, his other Attributes being adequate to his Understanding; so that, though his Understanding be Infinite, yet he understands no more than his Power can effect, because that is Infinite also. And therefore it is fit and reasonable, that he should own and accept the Creatures Acknowledgments and Celebrations of those Vertues and Perfections, which he hath not received of any other, but possesseth Eternally and Originally of himself. And indeed, (with reverence be it spoken,) what else can we imagine the ever Blessed Deity to delight and take complacency in for ever, but his own Infinite Excellencies and Perfections, and the Manifestations and Effects of them, the Works of the Creation, and the Sacrifices of Praise and Thanks offered up by such of his Creatures as are capable of considering those Works, and discerning the Traces and Footsteps of his Power and Wisdom appearing in the Formation of them, and moreover, whose bounden Duty it is so to do. The reason why Man ought not to admire p. 134himself, or seek his own Glory, is, because he is a dependent Creature, and hath nothing but what he hath received, and not only dependent, but imperfect; yea, weak and impotent. And yet do I not take Humility in man to consist in disowning or denying any Gift or Ability that is in him, but in a just valuation of such Gifts and Endowments, yet rather thinking too meanly than too highly of them; because Humane Nature is so apt to err in running into the other extreme, to flatter it self, and to accept those Praises that are not due to it; Pride being an elation of Spirit upon false Grounds, or a desire or acceptance of undue Honour. Otherwise, I do not see why a man may not admit and accept the Testimonies of others concerning any Perfection, Accomplishment or Skill that he is really possessed of: yet can he not think himself to deserve any great Praise or Honour for it, because both the Power and the Habit are the Gift of God: And considering that one Vertue is counter-balanced by many Vices; and one Skill or Perfection, with much Ignorance and Infirmity.

I proceed now to select some particular Pieces of the Creation, and to consider them more distinctly. They shall be only p. 135two. 1. The whole Body of the Earth. 2. The Body of Man.

First the Body of the Earth, and therein I shall take notice of 1. Its Figure. 2. Its Motion. 3. The Constitution of its parts.

By Earth I here understand not the Dry Land, or the Earth contradistinguished to Water, or the Earth considered as an Element: but the whole Terraqueous Globe composed of Earth and Water.

1. For the Figure, I could easily demonstrate it to be Spherical. That the Water, which by reason of its fluidity should, one would think, compose it self to a Level, yet doth not so, but hath a Gibbose Superficies, may to the Eye be demonstrated upon the Sea. For when two Ships sailing contrary ways lose the sight one of another: first the Keel and Hull disappear, afterward the Sails, and if when upon Deck you have perfectly lost sight of all, you get up the top of the Main-mast you may descry it again. Now what should take away the sight of these Ships from each other but the gibbosity of the interjacent Water? The roundness of the Earth from North to South is demonstrated from the appearance of Northern Stars above the Horizon, and loss of the Southern to them that travel Northward; and on the contrary the loss of the Northern and p. 136appearance of the Southern to them that travel Southward. For were the Earth a Plain we should see exactly the fame Stars wherever we were placed on that Plain. The roundness from East to West is demonstrated from Eclipses of either of the great Luminaries. For why the same Eclipse, suppose of the Sun, which is seen to them that live more Easterly, when the Sun is elevated 6 degrees above the Horizon, should be seen to them that live one degree more Westernly when the Sun is but five degrees above the Horizon, and so lower and lower proportionably to them that live more and more Westernly, till at last it appear not at all, no accompt can be given but the globosity of the Earth. For were the Earth a perfect Plain, the Sun would appear Eclipsed to all that live upon that Plain, if not exactly in the same Elevation, yet pretty near it; but to be sure it would never appear to some, the Sun being Elevated high above the Horizon; and not at all to others. It being clear then that the Figure of the Earth is Spherical, let us consider the Conveniences of this Figure.

1. No Figure is so capacious as this, and consequently whose parts are so well compacted and united, and lie so near one to another for mutual strength. Now the Earth, p. 137which is the basis of all Animals, and as some think of the whole Creation, ought to be firm, and stable, and solid, and as much as is possible secured from all Ruins and Concussions.

2. This Figure is most consonant and agreeable to the natural Natus or tendency of all heavy Bodies. Now the Earth being such a one, and all its parts having an equal propension or connivency to the Center, they must needs be in greatest rest, and most immoveable when they are all equidistant from it. Whereas were it an Angular Body, all the Angles would be vast and steep Mountains, bearing a considerable proportion to the whole bulk, and therefore those parts being extremely more remote from the Center, than those about the middle of the Plains, would consequently press very strongly thitherward; and unless the Earth were made of Adamant or Marble, in time the other parts would give way, till all were levelled.

3. Were the Earth an angular Body and not round, all the whole Earth would be nothing else but vast Mountains, and so incommodious for Animals to live upon. For the middle point of every side would be nearer the Center than any other, and consequently from that point which way soever one travelled would be up Hill, the p. 138tendency of all heavy Bodies being perpendicularly to the Center. Besides how much this would obstruct Commerce is easily seen. For not only the declivity of all places would render them very difficult to be travelled over, but likewise the midst of every side being lowest and nearest the Center, if there were any Rain or any Rivers, must needs be filled with a Lake of Water, there being no way to discharge it, and possibly the Water would rise so high as to overflow the whole Latus. But surely there would be much more danger of the Inundation of whole Countries than now there is: all the Waters falling upon the Earth, by reason of its declivity every way, easily descending down to the common Receptacle the Sea. And these Lakes of Water being far distant one from another, there could be no Commerce between far remote Countries but by Land.

4. A Spherical Figure is most commodious for dinetical motion or revolution upon its own Axis. For in that neither oan the Medium at all resist the motion of the Body, because it stands not in its way, no part coming into any space but what the precedent left, neither doth one part of the Superficies move faster than another: whereas were it Angular, the parts about the Angles would find strong resistance from the p. 139Air, and those parts also about the Angles would move much faster than those about the middle of the Plains, being remoter from the center than they. It remains therefore that this Figure is the most commodious for Motion.

Here I cannot but take notice of the folly and stupidity of the Epicureans, who fancied the Earth to be flat and contiguous to the Heavens on all sides, and that it descended a great way with long Roots; and that the Sun was new made every Morning, and not much bigger than it seems to the Eye, and of a flat Figure, and many other such gross Absurdities as Children among us would be ashamed of.

Secondly, I come now to speak of the Motion of the Earth. That the Earth (speaking according to Philosophical accurateness) doth move both upon its own Poles, and in the Ecliptick, is now the received Opinion of the most learned and skilful Mathematicians. To prove the diurnal Motion of it upon its Poles, I need produce no other Arguments than, First, The vast disproportion in respect of Magnitude that is between the Earth and the Heavens, and the great unlikelyhood, that such an infinite number of vast Bodies should move about so inconsiderable a spot as the Earth, which in comparison with them by p. 140the concurrent suffrages of Mathematicians of both perswasions, is a mere point, that is, next to nothing. Secondly, The immense and incredible Celerity of the Motion of the Heavenly Bodies in the ancient Hypothesis; of its Annual Motion in the Ecliptick, the Stations and Retrogradations of the superior Planets are a convincing Argument, there being a clear and facile Account thereof to be given from the mere Motion of the Earth in the Ecliptick; whereas in the Old Hypothesis no account can be given thereof, but by the unreasonable. Fiction of Epicycles and contrary Motions; add hereto the great unlikelyhood of such an enormous Epicycle as Venus must describe about the Sun, not under the Sun as the old Astronomers fancied; So that whosoever doth clearly understand both Hypotheses, cannot, I perswade my self, adhere to the Old and reject the New, without doing some violence to his Faculties.

Against this Opinion lie two Objections, First, That it is contrary to Sense, and the common Opinion and Belief of Mankind. Secondly, That it seemeth contrary to some Expressions in Scripture. To the first I answer, that our Senses are sometimes mistaken, and what appears to them is not p. 141always in reality so as it appears. For Example, The Sun or Moon appear no bigger at most, than a Cart-wheel, and of a flat figure. The Earth seems to be plain; the Heavens to cover it like a Canopy, and to be contiguous to it round about: A Fire-brand nimbly moved round, appears like a circle of Fire; and to give a parallel Instance, a Boat lying still at Anchor in a River to him that sails or rows by it, seems to move apace: and when the Clouds pass nimbly under the Moon, the Moon it self seems to move the contrary way. And there have been whole Books written in Confutation of vulgar Errours. Secondly, As to the Scripture, when speaking of these things it accommodates it self to the common and received Opinions, and employs the usual Phrases and Forms of Speech, (as all Wise Men also do, though in strictness, they be of a different or contrary Opinion,) without intention of delivering any thing Doctrinally concerning these Points, or confuting the contrary: And yet by those that maintain the Opinion of the Earths motion there might a convenient Interpretation be given of such places as seem to contradict it. Howbeit, because some pious Persons may be offended at such an Opinion, as savouring of Novelty, thinking it inconsistent p. 142with Divine Revelation, I shall not positively assert it, only propose it as an Hypothesis not altogether improbable. Supposing then, that the Earth doth move, both upon its own Poles, and in the Ecliptick about the Sun, I shall shew how admirably its Situation and Motion are contrived for the conveniency of Man and other Animals: which I cannot do more fully and clearly than Dr. More hath already done in his Antidote against Atheism, whose Words therefore I shall borrow.

First, Speaking of the Parallelism of the Axis of the Earth he saith, I demand whether it be better to have the Axis of the Earth steady and perpetually parallel to it self, or to have it carelesly tumble this way and that way as it happens, or at least very variously and intricately: And you cannot but answer me, it is better to have it steady and parallel. For in this lies the necessary Foundation of the Art of Navigation and Dialling. For that steady Stream of Particles, which is supposed to keep the Axis of the Earth parallel to its self, affords the Mariner both his Cynosura and his Compass. The Load-stone and the Load-star depend both upon this. The Load-stone as I could demonstrate, were it not too great a digression; and the Load-star, because that which keeps the Axis parallel to its self, makes each of the p. 143Poles constantly respect such a point in the Heavens; as for Example, the North-pole to point almost directly to that which we call the Pole-star. And besides, Dialling could not be at all without this steadiness of the Axis. But both these Arts are pleasant, and one especially of mighty Importance to Mankind. For thus there is an orderly measuring of our time for Affairs at home, and an opportunity of Traffick abroad with the most remote Nations of the World, and so there is a mutual Supply of the several Commodities of all Countries, besides the enlarging our Understandings by so ample Experience we get both of men and things. Wherefore if we were rationally to consult, whether the Axis of the Earth were better be held steady and parallel to it self, or left at random, we would conclude it ought to be steady, and so we find it de Facto, though the Earth move floating in the liquid Heavens. So that appealing to our own Faculties we are to affirm, that the constant Direction of the Axis of the Earth was Established by a principle of Wisdom and Counsel.

Again, there being several postures of this steady Direction of the Axis of the Earth. viz. Either perpendicular to a Plain, going through the Center of the Sun, or coincident, p. 144or inclining, I demand which of all these Reason and Knowledge would make choice of. Not of a perpendicular Posture. For so both the pleasant Variety and great Convenience of Summer and Winter, Spring and Autumn would be lost, and for want of Accession of the Sun, these Parts of the Earth, which now bring forth Fruits, and are Habitable, would be in an incapacity of ever bringing forth any, and consequently could entertain no Inhabitants, and those Parts that the full heat of the Sun could reach, he plying them always alike without any annual Recession or Intermission, would at last grow tired or exhausted, or be wholly dried up and want moisture, the Sun dissipating and casting off the Clouds Northwards and Southwards. Besides, we observe that an orderly vicissitude of things, doth much more gratifie the contemplative Property in Man.

And now in the second place, neither would Reason make choice of a coincident Position. For if the Axis thus lay in a plain that goeth through the Center of the Sun, the Ecliptick would like a Colure or one of the Meridians, pass through the Poles of the Earth, which would put the Inhabitants of the World, into a pitiful condition. For they that escape best in p. 145the Temperate Zone would be accloyed with long Nights very tedious, no less than Forty Days, and those that now never have their Night above Twenty Four Hours, as Friesland Island, the furthest parts of Russia and Norway would be deprived of the Sun, above a Hundred and Thirty Days together. Our selves in England and the rest of the same Clime would be closed up in darkness no less than a Hundred or Eighty Days: and so proportionably of the rest both in and out of the Temperate Zones. And as for Summer and Winter, though those Vicissitudes would be, yet it could not but cause raging Diseases, to have the Sun stay so long, describing his little Circles so near the Poles, and lying so hot on the Inhabitants, that had been in so long extremity of Darkness and Cold before.

It remains therefore, that the posture of the Axis of the Earth be inclining not perpendicular nor coincident to the fore-mentioned Plain. And verily, it is not only inclining, but in so fit a proportion, that there can be no fitter imagined to make it to the utmost capacity as well pleasant as habitable. For though the course of the Sun be curbed between the Tropicks, yet are not those parts directly subject to his perpendicular Beams, either Unhabitable or extremely p. 146Hot, as the Ancients fansied: By the Testimony of Travellers, and particularly Sir Walter Ralegh, the parts under and near the Line, being as Fruitful and Pleasant, and fit to make a Paradise of, as any in the World. And that they are as suitable to the nature of Man, and as convenient to live in, appears from the Longaevity of the Natives; as for Instance, the Aethiopes called by the Ancients foreign, but especially the Brasilians in America, the ordinary Term of whose Life is a Hundred Years, as is set down by Piso a Learned Physitian of Holland, who travelled thither on purpose to augment natural Knowledge, but especially what related to Physick. And reasonable it is, that this should be so, for neither doth the Sun lie long upon them, their Day being but Twelve Hours, and their Night as long, to cool and refresh them; and besides, they have frequent Showers, and constant Breezes or fresh Gales of Wind from the East. Seeing then, this best posture which our Reason could make choice of, we see really Established in Nature, we cannot but acknowledge it to be the issue of Wisdom, Counsel and Providence. Moreover, a further Argument to evince this is, That though it cannot but be acknowledged, that if the Axis p. 147of the Earth were perpendicular to the plain of the Ecliptick, her motion would be more easie and natural, yet notwithstanding for the Conveniencies forementioned, we see it is made in an inclining posture.

If any man shall object and say, It would be more convenient for the Inhabitants of the Earth, if the Tropicks stood at a greater distance, and the Sun moved further Northward and Southward, for so the North and South parts would be relieved, and not exposed to so extreme cold, and thereby rendred unhabitable as now they are.

To this I answer, That this would be more inconvenient to the Inhabitants of the Earth in general, and yet would afford the North and South parts but little more comfort. For then as much as the distances between the Tropicks were enlarg'd, so much would also the Artick and Antartick Circles be enlarg'd too; and so we here in England, and so on Northerly should not have that grateful and useful Succession of Day and Night, but proportionably to the Suns coming towards us, so would our days be of more than Twenty Four Hours length, and according to his recess in Winter our Nights proportionable; which how great an inconvenience it would be, is easily seen. p. 148Whereas now the whole Latitude of Earth, which hath at any time above Twenty Four Hours Day, and Twenty Four Hours Night, is little and inconsiderable in comparison of the whole bulk, as lying near the Poles. And yet neither is that part altogether unuseful, for in the Waters there live Fishes, which otherwhere are not obvious, so we know the chief Whale-fishing is in Greenland: And on the Land, Bears, and Foxes, and Deer, in the most Northerly Country, that was ever yet touched, and doubtless if we shall discover further to the very North-pole, we shall find all that Tract not to be vain, useless or unoccupied.

Thirdly, The Third and Last thing I proposed, was the Constitution and Consistency of the parts of the Earth. And first, Admirable it is that the Waters should be gathered together into such great Conceptacula, and the dry Land appear, and though we had not been assured thereof by Divine Revelation, we could not in Reason, but have thought such a Division and Separation, to have been the Work of Omnipotency and Infinite Wisdom and Goodness. For in this condition the Water nourishes and maintains innumerable Multitudes of various kinds of Fishes: and the dry Land supports and feeds as great varieties p. 149of Plants and Animals, which have there firm Footing and Habitation. Whereas had all been Earth, all the species of Fishes had been lost, and all those Commodities which the Water affords us; or all Water, there had been no living for Plants or Terrestrial Animals, or Man himself, and all the Beauty, Glory, and Variety of this inferiour World had been gone, nothing being to be seen, but one uniform dark Body of Water: or had all been mixt and made up of Water and Earth into one Body of Mud or Mire, as one would think, should be most natural: for why such a Separation as at present we find should be made, no account can be given, but Providence. I say, had all this Globe been Mire or Mud, then could there have been no possibility for any Animals at all to have lived, excepting some few, and those very dull and inferiour ones too. That therefore the Earth should be made thus, and not only so, but with so great variety of parts, as Mountains, Plains, Vallies, Sand, Gravel, Lime, Stone, Clay, Marble, Argilla, &c. which are so delectable and pleasant, and likewise so useful and convenient for the breeding and living of various Plants and Animals; some affecting Mountains, some Plains, some Vallies, some Watery Places, some Shade, p. 150some Sun, some Clay, some Sand, some Gravel, &c. That the Earth should be so figured as to have Mountains in the Mid-land parts, abounding with Springs of Water pouring down Streams and Rivers for the necessities and conveniencies of the Inhabitants of the lower Countries; and that the Levels and Plains should be formed with so easie a declivity as to cast off the Water, and yet not render Travelling or Tillage very Difficult or Laborious. These things I say, must needs be the result of Counsel, Wisdom, and Design. Especially when (as I said before) not that way which seems more facile and obvious to Chance is chosen, but that which is more difficult and hard to be traced, when it is most convenient and proper for those nobler Ends and Designs, which were intended by its Wise Creator and Governor. Add to all this, that the whole dry Land is for the most part, covered over with a lovely Carpet of green Grass and other Herbs, of a colour, not only most grateful and agreeable, but most useful and salutary to the Eye: and this also decked and adorned with great variety of Flowers of beautiful Colours and Figures, and of most pleasant and fragrant Odours for the refreshment of our Spirits and our innocent Delight.

p. 151A Second particular I have made choice of, more exactly to survey and consider, is the Body of Man: wherein I shall endeavour to discover something of the Wisdom and Goodness of God. First, By making some general Observations concerning the Body. Secondly, By running over and discoursing upon its principal Parts and Members.

1. Then in general I say, the Wisdom and Goodness of God appears in the erect Posture of the Body of Man, which is a Priviledge and Advantage given to Man, above other Animals. But though this be so, yet I would not have you think, that all the Particulars I shall mention, are proper only to the Body of Man, divers of them agreeing to many other Creatures. It is not my Business to consider only the Prerogatives of Man above other Animals, but the Endowments and Perfections which Nature hath conferred on his Body though common to them with him. Of this erection of the Body of Man, the Ancients have taken Notice as a particular Gift and Favour of God.

Ovid. Metam. 1.

Proná que cùm spectent Animalia caetera terrā, Os hominum sublime dedit, coelúm que tueri Jussit, & erectos ad Sydera tollere vultus.

p. 152And before him, Tully in his Second Book De Nat. Deorum.

Ad hanc providentiam naturae tam diligentem tám que solertem adjungi multa possunt, è quibus intelligatur quantae res hominibus à Deo, quám que eximiae tributae sunt, qui primùm eos humo excitatos, celsos & erectos constituit, ut Deorum cognitionem coelum intuentes capere possent. Sunt enim è terra homines, non ut incolae at que habitatores, sed quasi spectatores superarum rerum at que coelestium, quarum spectaculum ad nullum aliud genus animantium pertinet.

Man being the only Creature in this sublunary World, made to contemplate Heaven, it was convenient that he should have such a Figure or Situs of the parts of his Body, that he might conveniently look upwards. But to say the Truth in this respect of contemplating the Heavens or looking upwards, I do not see what advantage a man hath by this erection above other Animals, the Faces of most of them being more supine than ours, which are only perpendicular to the Horizon, whereas some of theirs stand reclining. But yet two or three other Advantages we have of this Erection, which I shall here mention.

p. 153First, It is more commodious for the sustaining of the Head, which being full of Brains and very heavy (the Brain in Man being far larger in proportion to the Bulk of his Body, than in any other Animal) would have been very painful and wearisome to carry, if the Neck had lain parallel or inclining to the Horizon.

Secondly, This Figure is most convenient for Prospect and looking about one. A man may see further before him, which is no small advantage for avoiding Dangers, and discovering whatever he searches after.

Thirdly, The conveniency of this Site of our Bodies will more clearly appear, if we consider what a pitiful condition we had been in, if we had been constantly necessitated to stand and walk upon all Four, Man being by the make of his Body, of all Quadrupeds (for now I must compare him with them) the most unfit for that kind of incessus, as I shall shew anon. And besides that we should have wanted, at least in a great measure, the use of our Hand, that unvaluable Instrument, without which we had wanted most of those advantages we enjoy as reasonable Creatures, as I shall more particularly demonstrate afterwards.

But it may be perchance objected by some, that Nature did not intend this Erection of the Body, but that it is superinduced and p. 154artificial; for that Children at first creep on all Four, according to that of the Poet.

Mox Quadrupes, ritúque tulit sua membra ferarum.

Ovid.

To which I answer, that there is so great an inequality in the length of our Legs and Arms, as would make it extremely inconvenient, if not impossible, for us to walk upon all Four, and set us almost upon our Heads; and therefore we see that Children do not creep upon their Hands and Feet, but upon their Hands and Knees; so that it is plain that Nature intended us to walk as we do, and not upon all Four.

2. I argue from the Situs or position of our Faces; for had we been to walk upon all Four we had been the most prone of all Animals, our Faces being parallel to the Horizon and looking directly downwards.

3. The greatness and strength of the Muscles of the Thighs and Legs above those of the Arms, is a clear indication, that they were by Nature intended for a more difficult and laborious Action, even the moving and transferring the whole Body, and that Motion to be sometimes continued for a great while together.

p. 155As for that Argument taken from the contrary flexure of the Joynts of our Arms and Legs to that of Quadrupeds; as that our Knees bend forward, whereas the same Joynt of their hind Legs bends backward; and that our Arms bend backward, whereas the Knees of their fore Legs bend forward. Although the Observation be as old as Aristotle, because I think there is a mistake in it, in not comparing the same Joynts (for the first or uppermost Joynt in a Quadrupeds hind Legs bends forward as well as a Mans Knees, which answer to it being the uppermost Joynt of our Legs; and the like mutatis mutandis may be said of the Arms) I shall not insist upon it.

II. The Body of Man may thence be proved to be the effect of Wisdom, because there is nothing in it deficient, nothing superfluous, nothing but hath its End and Use; so true are those Maximes we have already made use of, Natura nihil facit frustra, and Natura non abundat in superfluis, nec deficit in necessariis, no part that we can well spare. The Eye cannot say to the Hand I have no need of thee, nor the Head to the Feet I have no need of you. 1. Cor. 12. 21. that I may usurp the Apostles similitude.

The Belly cannot quarrel with the Members, nor they with the Belly for her seeming p. 156Sloth; as they provide Meat for her, so she concocts and distributes it to them. Only it may be doubted to what use the Paps in Men should serve. I answer partly for Ornament, partly for a kind of conformity between the Sexes, and partly to defend and cherish the Heart; in some they contain Milk, as in a Danish Family we read of in Bartholines Anatomical Observations. However it follows not that they or any other parts of the Body are useless because we are ignorant.

Had we been born with a large Wen upon our Faces, or a Bavarian Poke under our Chins, or a great Bunch upon our Backs like Camels, or any the like superfluous excrescency, which should be not only useless but troublesome, not only stand us in no stead but also be ill favoured to behold, and burthensom to carry about, then we might have had some pretence to doubt whether an intelligent and bountiful Creator had been our Architect; for had the Body been made by chance it must in all likelyhood have had many of these superfluous and unnecessary Parts.

But now seeing there is none of our Members but hath its Place and Use, none that we could spare or conveniently live without, were it but those we account Excrements, p. 157the Hair of our Heads, or the Nails on our Fingers ends; we must needs be mad or sottish if we can conceive any other than that an infinitely good and wise God was our Author and Former.

III. We may fetch an Argument of the Wisdom and Providence of God from the convenient situation and disposition of the Parts and Members of our Bodies: They are seated most conveniently for Use, for Ornament, and for mutual Assistance. First, for Use; So we see the Senses of such eminent Use for our well-being, situate in the Head, as Sentinels in a Watch-Tower, to receive and conveigh to the Soul the impressions of external Objects. Sensus autem interpretes ac nuntii rerum in capite tanquam in arce mirificè ad usus necessarios & facti & collati sunt. Cic. de Nat. Deorum. The Eye can more easily see things at a distance, the Ear receive sounds from afar: How could the Eye have been better placed either for Beauty and Ornament, or for the Guidance and Direction of the whole Body. As Cicero proceeds well, Nam Oculi tanquam speculatores altissimum locum obtinent, ex quo plurima conspicientes funguntur suo munere: Et Aures quoe sonum recipere debent, qui naturâ in sublime fertur, rectè in altis corporum partibus collocatae sunt; item que Nares, p. 158eò quò omnis odor ad superiora fertur, rectè sursum sunt. For the Eyes like Sentinels occupy the highest place, from whence seeing many things they perform their functions: And the Ears, which are made for the reception of sounds, which naturally are carried upwards, are rightly placed in the uppermost parts of the Body; also the Nostrils, because all odors ascend, are fitly situate in the superior parts. I might instance in the other Members. How could the Hands have been more conveniently placed for all sorts of Exercises and Works, and for the guard and security of the Head and Principal Parts? The Heart to dispense Life and Heat to the whole Body, viz. near the Center, and yet because it is harder for the Blood to ascend than descend, somewhat nearer the Head. It is also observable that the Sinks of the Body are removed as far from the Nose and Eyes as may be; which Cicero takes notice of in the forementioned place. Ut in Aedificiis Architecti avertunt ab Oculis & Naribus Dominorum ea quae profluentia necessariò essent tetri aliquid habitura, sic natura res similes procul amandavit à sensibus. Secondly, For Ornament. What could have been better contrived than that those Members which are Pairs, should stand by one another in equal altitude, and p. 159answer on each side one to another. And Thirdly, For mutual Assistance. We have before shewed how the Eye stands most conveniently for guiding the Hand, and the Hand for defending the Eye; and the like might be said of the other Parts, they are so situaté as to afford direction and help one to another. This will appear more clearly if we imagine any of the Members situate in contrary Places or Positions: Had a mans Arms been fitted only to bend backwards behind him, or his Legs only to move backwards; what direction could his Eyes then have afforded him in working or walking? or how could he then have fed himself? nay had one Arm been made to bend forward and the other directly backward, we had then lost half the use of them, sith they could not have assisted one the other in any Action. Take the Eyes or any other of the Organs of Sense, and see if you can find any so convenient a seat for them in the whole Body as that they now possess.

Fourthly, From the ample Provision that is made for the Defence and Security of the principal Parts: Those are, 1. The Heart; which is the Fountain of Life and Vegetation, Officina spirituum vitalium, principium & fons caloris nativi, lucerna humidi radicalis, p. 160and that I may speak with the Chymists, ipse Sol microcosmi, the very Sun of the microcosme or little World, in which is contained that vital Flame or Heavenly Fire, which Prometheus is fabled to have stole from Jupiter: or as Aristotle phrases it, that foreign, Divinum quid respondens elemento Stellarum. This for more security is situate in the Center of the Trunk of the Body, covered first with its own Membrane called Pericardium, lodged within the soft Bed of the Lungs, encompassed round with a double Fence, (1.) of firm Bones or Ribs to bear off blows. (2.) of thick Muscles and Skin, besides the Arms conveniently placed to fence off any violence at a distance, before it can approach to hurt it. 2. The Brain, which is the principle of all Sense and Motion, the Fountain of the Animal Spirits, the chief Seat and Palace Royal of the Soul; upon whose security depends whatever Privilege belongs to us as Sensitive or Rational Creatures. This, I say, being the prime and immediate Organ of the Soul, from the right constitution whereof proceeds the quickness of Apprehension, acuteness of Wit, solidity of Judgment, method and order of Invention, strength and power of Memory; which if once weakened and disordered, p. 161there follows nothing but Confusion and Disturbance in our Apprehensions, Thoughts and Judgments, is environed round about with such a potent Defence, that it must be amighty Force indeed that is able to injure it.

First, A Skull so hard, thick, and tough, that it is almost as easie to split a Helmet of Iron as to make a fracture in it. 2. This covered with Skin and Hair, which serve to keep it warm being naturally a very cold part, and also to quench and dissipate the force of any stroke that shall be dealt it, and retund the edge of any Weapon. 3. And yet more than all this there is still a thick and tough Membrane which hangs looser about it, and doth not so closely embrace it (that they call dura mater) and in case the Skull happens to be broken doth often preserve it from injury and diminution: And lastly, a thin and fine Membrane strait and closely adhering to keep it from quashing and shaking.

I might instance (3.) in the Lungs, which are so useful to us as to Life and Sense, that the vulgar think our Breath is our very Life, and that we breath out our Souls from thence. Suteable to which notion both anima and spiritus in Latine, and foreign in Greek are derived from words that signifie p. 162Breath and Wind: And efflare or exhalare animam signifies to Die. And the old Romans used to apply mouth to mouth, and receive the last gasps of their dying friends, as if their Souls had come out that way. From hence perhaps might first spring that opinion of the vehicles of Spirits; the Vulgar, as I hinted before, conceiving that the Breath was, if not the Soul itself, yet that wherein it was wafted and carried away. These Lungs, I say, are for their bettter security and defence shut up in the same Cavity with the Heart.

Fourthly, In the abundant provision that is made against evil Accidents and Inconveniencies. And the liberality of Nature as to this particular appears 1. In that she hath given many Members, which are of eminent use by pairs, as two Eyes, two Ears, two Nostrils, two Hands, two Feet, two Breasts, [mammae] two Reins: That so if by any cross or unhappy accident one should be disabled or rendred useless, the other might serve us tolerably well, whereas had a Man but one Hand, or one Eye, &c. if that were gone, all were gone, and we left in evil Case. See then and acknowledg the Benignity of the Deity, who hath bestowed upon us two Hands, and two Eyes, and other the like parts not only for our Necessity p. 163but Conveniency, so long as we enjoy them: and for our Security in case any mischance deprive us of one of them. 2. In that all the Vessels of the Body have many Ramifications: Which particular Branches, though they serve mainly for one Member or Muscle, yet send forth some twigs to the neighbouring Muscles; and so interchangeably the branches that serve these, send to them: So that if one Branch chance to be cut off or obstructed, its defect may in some measure be supplied by the twigs that come from the neighbouring Vessels. 3. In that she hath provided so many ways to evacuate what might be hurtful to us or breed Diseases in our Bodies. If any thing oppress the Head it hath a power to free itself by Sneezing: If any thing fall into the Lungs, or if any Humor be discharged upon them, they have a faculty of clearing themselves and casting it up by Coughing: If any thing clog or burden the Stomach, it hath an ability of contracting itself and throwing it up by Vomit. Besides these ways of Evacuation there are Siege, Urine, Sweating haemorrhagies from the Nose and haemorrhoidal veins, Fluxes of Rheum. Now the reason why Nature hath provided so many ways of Evacuation is because of the different humors that are to be avoided or cast out. p. 164When therefore there is a Secretion made of any noxious Humor, it is carried off by that Emunctory whose Pores are fitted to receive and transmit the minute parts of it; if at least this Separation be made by Percolation, as we will now suppose, but not assert. Yet I doubt not but the same Humor may be cast off by divers Emunctories, as is clear in Urine and Sweat which are for the main the same Humor carried off several ways.