FRANCIS WILLUGHBY. 143 



These studies also peculiarly prepare the mind 

 for the due reception of revealed religion, be- 

 tween which and natural religion many striking 

 analogies exist, as might be expected in two 

 systems, each of which equally originated in the 

 same eternal mind, and of which it may yet 

 farther be asserted, that the natural world is the 

 material type and representative of the spiritual, 

 the former being intended to assist our com- 

 prehension of the latter.* The displays of the 

 divine benevolence which constantly present 

 themselves to the view of the student of nature, 

 tend to refine and soften his own feelings, since 

 he will soon perceive the abundant provisions 

 made by the Creator for the happiness of every 

 sensitive being, whose happiness therefore is His 

 will, and which man may not needlessly diminish, 

 but at the peril of frustrating the intention of 

 God ; nor less effectually do they conduce to 

 that genuine humility which is so favourable to 

 every virtue. The observer of nature must be 

 frequently reminded that he is but one out of a 

 myriad of sensitive beings who are all equally 

 with himself the production of the divine wisdom 

 and benevolence, and thus become dispossessed 



in the form of books, conveys its most valuable benefits 



to many who would otherwise be precluded fiom enjoying 



its highest advantages. 



* Romans, i. 20. The same idea is thus expressed bj 



Milton in the fifth book of the Paradise Lost : 

 What, if earth be but the shadow of heaven, 

 And things therein, each to each other like, 

 More than on earth is thought. 



