  We consider a possible connection between matter and cosmological constant
$\Lambda$ via the Newtonian cosmic potential of the matter within the expanding
particle horizon. Consistent with GR, an increasing potential may drive the
metric expansion of space. Cosmic recession of mass must, in turn, affect the
potential in an opposite sense. Independent of this, several considerations
point at $-\tfrac{1}{2}c^{2}$ as the representation of the background potential
in the various GR metrics. This suggests that the cosmic potential, while
subject to the expansion of space, always yields a constant background
potential $-\tfrac{1}{2}c^{2}$. Analysis of this 'redshift' of the cosmic
potential yields for perfect fluids the exact same solutions of the scale
factor as the standard Friedmann equations, including an accelerating de Sitter
universe. Though counter intuitive at first sight, gravity may drive cosmic
acceleration.
