TILLAGE. 37 



ble, and what injurious ; so that skill and labour 

 ma)' arrange matters to improve the desired 

 result. God entrusts the fitful gales of heaven 

 to scatter innumerable seeds, which are to 

 produce food or shelter for myriads of inferiour 

 animals, or to deck the wilderness with flowers. 

 But he employs a more regular and important 

 agency, for the spread and cultivation of those 

 plants which are especially destined for the 

 support of man, and of those creatures which 

 subserve his wants; even the mind and hand 

 of the great consumer, man himself. It is not 

 presumption to say that man assists the pur- 

 poses of nature, any more than to affirm that 

 the motions of the elements may do the same. 

 The Creator appoints and employs the instru- 

 ment, whatever it be, whether an intelligent or 

 inanimate machine ; and. we may, therefore, as 

 truly admire his work and wisdom in the fruits 



