The Storm

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CHAPTER I

Of the Natural Causes and Original of Winds


Though a System of Exhalation, Dilation, and Extension, things which the
Ancients founded the Doctrine of Winds upon, be not my direct Business;
yet it cannot but be needful to the present Design to Note, that the
Difference in the Opinions of the Ancients, about the Nature and
Original of Winds, is a Leading Step to one Assertion which I have
advanc'd in all that I have said with Relation to Winds, viz. That
there seems to be more of God in the whole Appearance, than in any other
Part of Operating Nature.

Nor do I think I need explain my self very far in this Notion: I allow
the high Original of Nature to be the Great Author of all her Actings,
and by the strict Rein of his Providence, is the Continual and Exact
Guide of her Executive Power; but still 'tis plain that in Some of the
Principal Parts of Nature she is Naked to our Eye, Things appear both in
their Causes and Consequences, Demonstration gives its Assistance, and
finishes our further Enquiries: for we never enquire after God in those
Works of Nature which depending upon the Course of Things are plain and
demonstrative; but where we find Nature defective in her Discovery,
where we see Effects but cannot reach their Causes; there 'tis most
just, and Nature her self seems to direct us to it, to end the rational
Enquiry, and resolve it into Speculation: Nature plainly refers us
beyond her Self, to the Mighty Hand of Infinite Power, the Author of
Nature, and Original of all Causes.

Among these Arcana of the Sovereign Oeconomy, the Winds are laid as far
back as any. Those Ancient Men of Genius who rifled Nature by the
Torch-Light of Reason even to her very Nudities, have been run a-ground
in this unknown Channel; the Wind has blown