Natural Philosophy

We are to admit no more causes of natural Things than such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances.To this purpose the philosophers say that Nature does nothing in vain,and more is in vain when less will serve; for Nature is pleased with simplicity and affects not the pomp of superfluous causes.

Therefore to the same natural effects we must, as tar as possible, assign the same causes.As to respiration in a man and in a beast, the descent of stones in Europe and in America, the light of our culinary fire and of the sun, the reflection of light in the earth and in the planets.