290 Natural Theology. 



affections are sources of pleasure in their very 

 exercise. Love is not only the foundation of the 

 moral law of the Bible, but it is the fulfilling of the 

 law. There is no malevolent feeling approved of in 

 the Bible. The moral law, then, not only secures 

 the happiness of men by the acts it enjoins in re- 

 ference to each other, but it brings happiness by 

 the very act of obeying. How impossible to 'con- 

 ceive of any more perfect adaptation ! What is the 

 adaptation of the air to the lung, of the order and 

 beauty of the world to the intellectual and emotional 

 nature of man, compared with this adaptation of 

 the moral law to his moral nature, in consequence 

 of which the very act of obedience secures to him 

 never-failing enjoyment and ever-increasing strength ! 

 What higher evidence of design ! 



In its special commands we find the same adapta- 

 tion to the welfare of the race. In the reverence 

 for the aged and to rulers, in obedience to law, in 

 kindness to the unfortunate, we have those prin- 

 ciples which would promote the welfare and happi- 

 ness of individuals and communities. 



Civilization is the natural and highest state of 

 society ; and it is only by following the precepts of 

 the Bible, in private and public action, that a real 

 civilization can be secured and maintained. There 

 may come to be for a time a high degree of polish 

 and culture without the recognition of these pre- 

 cepts, but it will be only a sudden glare of light. 

 Such a civilization will be cruel, and contain within 

 itself the elements of its own destruction. 



