344 HISTORY OF 



tion. Man alone is found refractory ; he is the 

 only being endued with a power of contradicting 

 these mandates. The Deity was pleased to exert 

 superior power in creating him a superior being ; 

 a being endued with a choice of good and evil, 

 and capable, in some measure, of co-operating 

 with his own intentions. Man, therefore, may 

 be considered as a limited creature, endued with 

 powers imitative of those residing in the Deity. 

 He is thrown into a world that stands in need 

 of his help ; and has been granted a power of pro- 

 ducing harmony from partial confusion. 



If, therefore, we consider the earth as allotted 

 for our habitation, we shall find that much has 

 been given us to enjoy, and much to amend ; that 

 we have ample reasons for our gratitude, and still 

 more for our industry. In those great outlines of 

 nature, to which art cannot reach, and where our 

 greatest efforts must have been ineffectual, God 

 himself has finished these with amazing grandeur 

 and beauty. Our beneficent Father has consi- 

 dered these parts of nature as peculiarly his own ; 

 as parts which no creature could have skill or 

 strength to amend ; and therefore made them in- 

 capable of alteration, or of more perfect regularity. 

 The heavens and the firmament show the wisdom 

 and the glory of the Workman. Astronomers, 

 who are best skilled in the symmetry of systems, 

 can find nothing there that they can alter for the 

 better. God made these perfect, because no sub- 

 ordinate being could correct their defects. 



When, therefore, we survey nature on this side, 

 nothing can be more splendid, more correct, or 



