You once listed Newton’s explanations of natural phenomena by using God as a cause. I can’t find that chat anymore. Can you give such examples again?

Certainly! Isaac Newton often referred to God as the ultimate cause behind the natural order and workings of the universe, especially in his Principia Mathematica and other works. Some examples of this include:

1. Creation and the Laws of Motion: Newton suggested that the laws of motion and universal gravitation were set in motion by God to maintain order in the universe. He did not think these laws arose by chance but were created by divine intelligence. In Principia, he stated:
   > “This most beautiful system of the Sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.”
   
2. The Design of the Universe: Newton believed that the intricacies of the universe, such as the laws of nature governing planetary motion and the structure of matter, were evidence of a purposeful creator. He wrote in General Scholium (the concluding part of Principia):
   > “This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as the Lord over all; and on account of His dominion, He is wont to be called Lord God.”
   
3. The Role of God in Natural Phenomena: Newton suggested that the stability of the universe, including the precise motion of planets and the laws governing the behavior of matter, was maintained through divine intervention. He did not believe in a clockwork universe that ran on its own once set in motion. Instead, he thought God periodically intervened to ensure the cosmos remained orderly.
   
4. Divine Creation of Matter: Newton also discussed the indivisibility of matter in his Opticks, where he speculated that God created matter in a way that was fundamental and indivisible, with each atom having a purpose in the larger scheme of creation.
   

These instances show how Newton tied the workings of the physical world to divine action, using God not only as a creator but as a continuous force in maintaining the universe’s order. Would you like more details on any of these ideas?