A SUMMARY ACCOUNT OF THE FOLLOWING POEM, AND WHAT IS CONTAINED IN EACH BOOK. THE design of this work is to demonstrate the existence of a Divine Eternal Mind. The arguments used for this end are taken from the various marks of wisdom and artful contrivance, which are evident to observation in the several parts of the material world, and the faculties of the human soul. The first book contains the proof of a Deity, from the instances of design and choice, which occur in the structure and qualities of the earth and sea. The second pursues the proof of the same proposition, THERE IS A GOD, from the celestial motions, and more fully from the appearances in the solar system, and the air. In the third, the objections which are brought by atheistical philosophers against the hypothesis established in the two preceding books, are answered. In the fourth, is laid down the hypothesis of the Atomists or Epicureans, and other irreligious philosophers, and confuted. In the fifth, the doctrine of the Fatalists, or Aristotelians, who make the world to be eternal, is considered and subverted. In the sixth, the argument of the two first books is resumed, and the existence of God demonstrated from the prudence and art discovered in the several parts of the body of man. In the seventh, the same demonstration is carried on from the contemplation of the instincts in brute animals, and the faculties and operations of the soul of man. The book concludes with a recapitulation of what has been treated of, and a hymn to the Creator of the World. CREATION; A PHILOSOPHICAL POEM. IN SEVEN BOOKS. Principio cœlum, ac terras camposque liquentes, Virg. BOOK I. THE ARGUMENT. The proposition. The invocation. The existence of a GOD demonstrated, from the marks of wisdom, choice, and art, which appear in the visible world, and infer an intelligent and free cause. This evinced from the contemplation, I. of the earth. 1. Its situation. 2. The cohesion of its parts, not to be solved by any hypothesis yet produced. 3. Its stability. 4. Its structure, or the order of its parts. 5. Its motion, diurnal and annual, or else the motion of the sun in both those respects. The cause of these motions not yet accounted for by any philosopher. 6. Its outside or face; the beauties and conveniences of it; its moun tains, lakes, and rivers. II. The existence of a GOD proved from the marks and impressions of prudence, and design, which appear in the sea. 1. In its formation. 2. The proportion of its parts in respect of the earthy. 3. Its situation. 4. The contexture of its parts. 5. Its brackish or briny quality. 6. Its flux and reflux. No more of courts, of triumphs, or of arms, Grovelling in dust and darkness, when on high To heights unknown, through ways untried to rise: While I this unexampled task essay, Thou dost the full extent of nature see, And the wide realms of vast immensity: Eternal Wisdom thou dost comprehend, Rise to her heights, and to her depths descend: The Father's sacred counsels thou canst tell, Who in his bosom didst for ever dwell. Thou on the deep's dark face, immortal Dove! See, through this vast extended theatre The' expanded spheres, amazing to the sight! The glorious orbs, which heaven's bright host compose; The' imprison'd sea, that restless ebbs and flows; With all the curious meteors hovering there, That end by means, and have it still in view, |