inaBivityofNLATTZ^&c. 171

shew the difference between the method ofthe Deity and of us men in the exertion of

power,

“ and flow in giving into any hypothesis, and die expe-“ rience of many ages has {hewed this so necessary, that“ it is by modesty and great care in reasoning about the" hidden causes of these manifest phænomena that one“ wili be heard upon them." But with much submis-sion, though the formal manner of muscular motion isstill disputed by philosophers, all that I assert here is ne-vertheless certain, viz. that a prodigious force is exertedwithin the body of the muscle; which follows from thisknown circumstance, that it is confined to act in a nar-row sphere, while the weight is to be moved through alarge compass; and that therefore this is a wonderful in-stance both of the wisdom of God in contriving and hispower in exhibiting this phænomenon. We are ignorantof the formal manner how lightning hath such stupendouseffects; yet the effects themselves are not to be contested.

If we are certain of a particular circumstance in any ap-pearance which is above any thing but infinite power toeffect, such as in this cafe, for instance, the prodigiousforce exerted, and which it is necessary should be exert-ed, on account of the narrow space it is confined to asa mechanical power, while the weight to be moved liesat a great distance ; and if we are certain that such aforce is applied, which though it acts with speed and vi-olence, yet acts mildly and innoxiousty to the neigh-bouring parts, and without pain even to the most tenderparts themselves, though actually concerned and employ-ed in the production of the phænomenon ; if we arecertain of this, I fay, we have all the reason in the world

to