2 92 Natural Theology. 



among mere contrivances and tendencies. But we 

 should naturally expect that such a book would not 

 only make clearer the revelations of nature, but that 

 it would also give some knowledge that nature does 

 not reveal at all. We should expect it, because 

 man's nature demands an answer to some questions 

 to which no satisfactory answer can be found in na- 

 ture. As we rise from the natural to the spiritual 

 world, we should expect that there would be some 

 exceptions to the ordinary laws of nature, or more 

 strictly that new laws would be discovered distinct 

 in kind from anything in the physical world, as we 

 find the vital force presenting phenomena very dif- 

 ferent if not antagonistic to gravitation and other 

 physical forces. 



One question of vast importance to the happiness 

 of man is this : Can sin be forgiven ? If left to 

 the light of nature alone, I know not where to look 

 for an affirmative answer. A remedy for the effects 

 of sin may be intimated by the healing leaves and 

 balsams ; but that sin can be forgiven through re- 

 pentance, finds no parallel in any of our relations 

 to nature. We might argue from our own constitu- 

 tion, that our Creator would on some conditions blot 

 out our sins as we forgive others. But we never could 

 be sure of this ; and if we accepted it as true, the 

 conditions of His forgiveness no one could with cer- 

 tainty discover. We can find nothing to favor for- 

 giveness of sin in all the physical universe. All its 

 laws answer, No ! They are inexorable. The fire 

 burns, and the cold seals up the fountains of life. 



