ESSAY Y. 457 are run out never so far into the infinite void by the force of their first emission from the star, yet their gravitation towards the star (or some of the planetary worlds, which sometimes perhaps may be nearer to it) has perpetual influence to retard their motion by degrees, even as themotion of a comet is retarded by its gravita- tion towards the sun, though it flies to such a prodigious distance from the sun ; and in time it is stopped and drawn back again and made to return towards its centre. And just so may we suppose all the sun-beams and star beams that ever were emitted, even to the borders of the creation, to have been restrained by degrees by this principle of gravitation, till moving slower and slower, at last they are stopped in their progress, and made to return towards their own or some other planetary system. And if so, then there is a perpetual return of the beams of light towards some or other of their bright originals, an everlasting circulation of these lucid atoms, which will hinder this eternal dilatation of the bounds of the universe, and at the same time will equally prevent the wasting of the substance of the lucid bodies, the sun or stars. 'Well, but if this power of restraining-and reducing the flight of star-beams be ascribed to this principle of gravitation, let us enquire what is this gravitation, which prevents the universe from such a perpetual waste of light ? It cannot be supposed to beany real property or natural power inhering in matter or body, which exerts its influenceat so prodigious adistance. I think therefore it is generally agreed, and with great reason, that it is properly the influence of a divine power upon every atom of matter, which in a most exact proportion to its bulk and distance, causes it to gravitate towards all other material beings, and which makes all the bulky beings in the universe, viz. the sun, planets and stars attract thebodies that are near them towards themselves. Now this law of nature being settled at first by God the Creator, and being constantly maintained in the course of his providence, it is esteemed as an effect of nature, and as a property of matter, though in truth it is owing to the almighty and all pervading power of God exerting its incessant dominion and influence through the whole material creation, producing an infinite variety of change, which we observe among bodies, confining the universe to its appointed limits, restraining the swift motion of the beams oflight, and preserving this vast system of beings from waste and ruin, from desolation and darkness. If there be a world there is a God : If there be a sun or stars, every ray points to their Crea- tor ; not a beam of light from all the lucid globes, but acknow- ledges its mission from the wisdom and will of God, and feels the restraint of his laws, that it may not be an eternal wanderer. But I call my thoughts to retire from these extravagant rov- ings, beyond the limits of creation. What do these amusements
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