CHAP. XXV - OF THE UNITY OF THE DEITY

Summary

Of the “unity of the Deity” the proof is, the uniformity of plan obfervable in the univerfe. The univerfe itfelf is a fyftem; each part either depending upon other parts, or being connected with other parts by fome common law of motion, or by the prefence of fome common fubftance. One principle of gravitation caufes a ftone to drop towards the earth, and the moon to wheel round it. One law of attraction carries all the different planets about the fun. This philofophers demonftrate. There are alfo other points of agreement amongft them, which may be confidered as marks of the identity of their origin, and of their intelligent author. In all are found the conveniency and ftability derived from gravitation. They all experience viciffitudes of days and nights, and changes of feafon. They all, at leaft Jupiter, Mars, and Venus, have the fame advantages from their atmofpheres as we have. In all the planets the axes of rotation are permanent. Nothing is more probable, than that the fame attracting influence, acting according to the fame rule, reaches to the fixed ftars: but, if this be only probable, another thing is certain, viz. that the fame element of light does. The light from a fixed ftar affects our eyes in the fame manner, is refracted and reflected according to the fame laws, as the light of a candle.