but that those wh compose the milky way are still incomparably farther distant from us, & all the other stars within our ken.

as we discern here an infinite diversity & variation, as well as number, in every thing around us, the amazing product of his forming hand. new acquisitions of any sort, we are fonder of what we are in pursuit of than of what we possess: of what we intend to do, than of what we have done. of what is within the scope of our power, or of what we fancy, may be, is undoubtedly for by the definition, tis bringing that into being which was not in being before. therefore there was a time before it. therefore an eternal creation a parte ante is the greatest absurdity. but the continuing it a parte post is the greatest glory of the divine nature. tis a species of ambition, & is as the salt of life.