CHAP. VI - THE ARGUMENT CUMULATIVE

Summary

Were there no example in the world of contrivance except that of the eye, it would be alone fufficient to fupport the conclufion which we draw from it, as to the neceffity of an intelligent Creator. It could never be got rid of: becaufe it could not be accounted for by any other fuppofition, which did not contradict all the principles we poffefs of knowledge; the principles according to which, things do, as often as they can be brought to the teft of experience, turn out to be true or falfe. Its coats and humours, conftructed, as the lenfes of a telefcope are conftructed, for the refraction of rays of light to a point, which forms the proper action of the organ; the provifion in its mufcular tendons for turning its pupil to the object, fimilar to that which is given to the telefcope by fcrews, and upon which power of direction in the eye, the exercife of its office as an optical inftrument depends; the further provifion for its defence, for its conftant lubricity and moifture, which we fee in its focket and its lids, in its gland for the fecretion of the matter of tears, its outlet or communication with the nofe for carrying off the liquid after the eye is wafhed with it; thefe provifions compofe altogether an apparatus, a fyftem of parts, a preparation of means, fo manifeft in their defign, fo exquifite in their contrivance, fo fuccefsful in their iffue, fo precious and fo infinitely beneficial in their ufe, as, in my opinion, to bear down all doubt that can be raifed upon the fubject.