UNCLE IN ENGLAND. " 211 



cessary to lay Adam under some small restraint, 

 to remind him, that notwithstanding his dominion, 

 over all things, he was still the servant of the 

 Most High ; a trial of his obedience to any 

 moral precepts could scarcely have been made, 

 for there was no opportunity at that time of vio- 

 lating them. For instance, there was nothing to 

 tempt him to idolatry, when every recent cir- 

 cumstance must have carried with it a convic- 

 tion of the single power of the Almighty ; and 

 when the impression of the Creator's beneficent 

 agency was kept alive by the frequent visits of 

 his glorious presence. Highly favoured crea- 

 tures, the voice of their God was a sound fami- 

 liar to their ears ! 



< As there were no other inhabitants in the 

 world, it was impossible to steal, murder, covet, 

 or commit any crime against society. It had 

 been, therefore, vain indeed, to forbid that which 

 could not be done. There could be no virtue 

 in abstaining from crimes to which there was no 

 temptation. But there would have been virtue 

 in submitting to the commands of God, who re- 

 quired only this simple abstinence, in token of 

 their subjection; and no matter how small the 

 trial, it was their part to have obeyed. It 

 pleases God to try our virtue sometimes with 

 very small temptations, and the weakness with 

 which we transgress in the least things, may con- 

 vince us that we are not very capable of resist- 

 ing great temptations. 



