Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with…

The Body is the most artificial of all perishing things in the World. 'Tis justly called the storehouse of proportions. 'Tis equally impossible to add any thing but what is superfluous, or to take away any thing but what is necessary. How many internal parts diverse in their qualities and figures, are disposed with that providence, that all operate according to their proper Natures, and not one can be, I do not say better, but tolerably in any other place, as well for its special as the common benefit? All are so justly ordered, with that mutual dependence as to their being and operations, that none can be without the whole, nor the whole without it. So that if with attentive Eye ⟨p. 36⟩we consider this, it might seem that in making the Body the design was only respecting convenience and profit: But if we turn our thoughts from that which is within this unparalleled Piece, and regard the various forms and structure of the outward parts, the graceful order that adorns them, we might imagine that the Maker only designed its regular visible beauty.^* As Phavorinus comparing the Writings of two famous Orators, observed, that if one word be taken from a sentence of Plato, you spoiled the elegance, if from Lycias, the sense. So the taking away the least considerable part from the Body, spoils its comeliness, or usefulness.^† Two great Philosophers have left excellent Discourses of the parts of the Body, justly esteemed among their ⟨p. 37⟩most noble works. Galen after an exquisite observation of the Symmetry of this Fabric, challenged the Epicureans, to find but one of all the numerous parts that compose it, the least Vein or Fibre, that was not serviceable for its proper end, or might be better if changed in its form, temperature or place, and he would embrace their opinion, that Chance was the Author of it. And for this reason he says, that by describing the use of the parts, he composed a true Hymn in praise of the wise Maker.

The Body is the most artificial of all perishing things in the World. 'Tis justly called the storehouse of proportions. 'Tis equally impossible to add any thing but what is superfluous, or to take aaway any thing but what is necessary. How many internal parts diverse in their qualities and figures, are dispos'd with that providence, that all operate according to their proper Natures, and not one can be, I do not say better, but tolerably in any other place, as well for its special as the common benefit? All are so justly ordered, with that mutual dependence as to their being and operations, that none can be without the whole, nor the whole without it. So that if with attentive Eye