200 The consequences of the

things seem to be the immediate and particularwork of Omnipotence. If they were naturalproductions, it is scarce conceivable that theyshould regularly keep their kinds (y). Theselittle systems then moving thus spontaneous-ly require as much an immaterial Mover, asafterward when grown larger, and unfoldedinto all perceptible members of an animal.

(v) It is true, after we have seen that the influenceof God is so universal on all the parts of matter, we can-not be afraid that there should be any mistake or confu-sion of the species of. things in the world j yet, I think,we are forced to conceive this to be, by an immediateparticular act of Providence, in forming their originalfeeds, and that they are not left to be produced by ve-getation. The law of vegetation seems to suppose apre-existent subject or seed, besides matter in general,which feed itself is not produced by vegetation. But ifwe are forced to conceive a deuble a£t of Providence in-tervening here, as it were j how can it be accounted forwithout any Providence at all ? Observe how Lucretiusrepresents the difficulty justly great; and then considerhis principles for the solution of it.

- ■ > g enus omne ferarum

Incerto partu, culta ac deserta teneret.

Nec frubius iidem arboribus conjlare folerent,

Sed mutarentur : ferre omnes omnia pojfent.

Shiippe, ubi non ejfent genitalia corpora quoique£>ui pojfet mater rebus conjj/iere certa?

Lib. I. ver. i64-But

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