First, nothing seems more evident, than that all matter is divisible; yea, the least particle of matter must be so, because it has the nature and essence of matter: it can never be so divided that it shall cease to be matter. But then, on the other side, it is plain, matter cannot be infinitely divisible; because whatever is divisible, is divisible into parts; and parts can be infinite, because no number can be so. A numberless number is a contradiction; all parts are capable of being numbered; they are more or fewer, odd or even. not enough to say, that matter is only capable of such a division, but never can be actually divided into infinite parts; for the parts into which it is divisible must be actually existent, though they be not actually divided. And last of all to say, these parts of matter are indefinite, but not infinite, is only to confess we know not what to say.

It is

Second, we all agree that all the parts into which the whole is divided, being taken together are equal to the whole. But it seems any single part is equal to the whole. It is granted, that in any circle a line may be drawn from every point of the circumference to the centre. Suppose the circle to be the equator, and a million lesser circles are drawn within the equator, about the same centre, and then a right line drawn from every point of the equator to the centre of the globe; every such right line drawn from the equator to the centre, must of necessity cut through the million lesser circles, about the same centre: consequently there must be the same number of points in a circle a million of times less than the equator, as there is in the equator itself. The lesser cir. cles may be multiplied into as many as there are

points in the diameters; and so the least circle imaginable may have as many points as the greatest; that is, be as large as the greatest, as large as one that is a million of times as large as itself.

Yet more; what will you say to this? Let a radius be moved as a radius upon a circle; it is a case of Dr. Grew's proposing: whether we suppose it wholly moved, or but in part, the supposition will bring us to an absurdity; if it be in a part movent, and in a part quiescent, it will be a curve line, and no radius; if it be wholly movent, then it moves either about or upon the centre; if it moves about it, it then comes short of it, and so again is no radius; it cannot move upon it, because all motion having parts, there can be no motion upon a point.

More yet; we cannot conceive how the perimeter of a circle, or other curve figure, can consist without being infinitely angular; for the parts of a line are lines: but we cannot conceive how those lines can have, as here they have, a different ડ direction, and therefore an inclination, without making an angle. And yet if you suppose a circle to be angular, you destroy the definition of a circle, and the theorems depending on it.

Once more; I will offer a case of my own. The line on which I am now writing is a space between two points; it will be doubtless allowed me, that my pen in passing over this line, from the one point to the other, must pass over the half of the line before it passes over the whole; and so the half of the remaining half, and so the half of the quarter that remains: so still the half of the remaining space, the half before the whole; and yet when it comes to execution, you find it is not

so. If the position you allowed me had been true, my pen would not have reached to the end of the line before the end of my life; or in a term wherein it might have written ten books as large as old Zoroaster's, or more manuscripts than ever were in the Alexandrian library.

It is then evident, that all mankind are to this day in the dark as to the ultimate parts of quantity, and of motion.

Go on my learned Grew, and maintain (who more fit than one of thy recondite learning?) that there is hardly any one thing in the world, the essence whereof we can perfectly comprehend. But then to the natural imbecility of reason, and the moral depravations of it, by our fall from God, and the ascendant which a corrupt and vicious will has obtained over it, how much ought this consideration warn us against the conduct of an unhumbled understanding in things relating to the kingdom of God? I am not out of my way, I have had a magnet all this while steering of this digression: I am now returning to that.

God forbid that I should be so much a stone, as to think a stone a deity. To fall down before a stone, and say, thou art a God, would be an idolatry, that, none but a soul more senseless than a stone could be guilty of. But then it would be a very agreeable and acceptable homage to the glorious God, for me to see much of Him in such a wonderful stone as the magnet. They have done well to call it the loadstone, that is to say, the lead-stone may it lead me unto thee, O my God and my Saviour! magnetism is in this like to gravity, that it leads us to God, and brings us very near to him. When we see magnetism in its

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operation, we must say, this is the work of God! and of the stone, which has proved of such vast use in the affairs of the waters that cover the sea, and will ere long do its part in bringing it about that the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth, we must say, great God, this is a wonderful gift of thine to the world!

I do not propose to exemplify the occasional reflections which a devout mind may make upon all the creatures of God, their properties, and actions, and relations; the libri elephantini would not be large enough to contain the thousandth part of them. If it were lawful for me here to pause with a particular exercise upon the loadstone, my first thoughts would be those of the holy Scudder, whose words have had a great impression on me ever since my first reading them in my childhood: "An upright man is like a needle touched with the loadstone; though he may through boisterous temptations and strong allurements oftentimes look towards the pleasure, gain and glory of this present world, yet because he is truly touched with the sanctifying Spirit of God, he still inclineth God-ward, and hath no quiet till he stand steady towards heaven." However, to animate the devotion of my Christian philosopher, I will here make a report to him. The ingenious Ward wrote a pious book, as long ago as the year 1639, entitled, Magnetis Reductorium Theologicum. The design of his essay is, to lead us from the consideration of the loadstone, to the consideration of our Saviour, and of his incomparable glories; whereof the magnet is a remarkable representation.

Christian, in the loadstone drawing and lifting

up the iron, behold thy Saviour drawing us to himself, and raising us above the secular cares and snares that ruin us. In its ready communication of its virtues, behold a shadow of thy Saviour communicating his holy Spirit to his chosen people; and his ministers more particu larly made partakers of his attractive powers. When silver and gold are neglected by the loadstone, but coarse iron preferred, behold thy Saviour passing over the angelic world, and choosing to take our nature upon him. The iron is also undistinguished, whether it be lodged in a fine covering, or whether it be lying in the most wretched circumstances; which invites us to think how little respect of persons there is with our Saviour. However, the iron should be cleansed, it should not be rusty; nor will our Saviour embrace those who are not so far cleansed, that they are at least willing to be made clean, and have his files pass upon them. The iron is at first merely passive, then it moves more feebly towards the stone; anon upon contact it will fly to it, and express a marvellous affection and adherence. Is not here a picture of the dispositions in our souls towards our Saviour? It is the pleasure of our Saviour to work by instruments, as the loadstone will do most when the mediation of a steel cap is used about it. After all, whatever is done, the whole praise is due to the loadstone alone. But there would be no end, and indeed there should be none, of these meditations. Mr. Ward in his dedication of his book to the king, has one very true compliment. I take it upon me to assure your majesty, that if you alone possessed it, you might easily make yourself the monarch of the