194 SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY. 



slime, and partly by the pressure of the atmosphere. Thus^says 

 Paxton, the snail wastes herself by her own morion, every undula- 

 tion leaving some of her moisture behind ; and in the same manner 

 the actions of wicked men prove their destruction. They may, 

 like the snail, carry their defence along with them, and retire into 

 it on every appearance of danger : they may confidently trust in 

 their own resources, and banish far away the fear of evil ; but the 

 principles of ruin are at work within them, and although the pro- 

 gress may be slow, the result is certain. The holy Psalmist, guid- 

 ed by the Spirit of inspiration, prayed: * As a snail which melteth, 

 let every one of them pass away,' (Ps. Iviii. 8) ; and Jehovah an- 

 swered, 'The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations 

 that forget God.' 



