116 



thinking no pains too great to be taken for them, no 

 danger too great to be ventured upon, for their guard 

 and fcccurify ! How will they caress them with their 

 affectionate notes, put food into their mouths, suckle 

 them, cherish and keep them warm, teach them to 

 pick and eat, and gather food for themselves : and in a 

 word, perform the whole part of so many nurses, de- 

 puted by thcsovereign Lord of the world, to help such 

 young and shiftless creatures till they are able to 

 shift for themselves. 



Other animals, insects in particular, whose offspring 

 is too numerous for the parent's provision, are so ge- 

 nerated, as to need none of their care. For they ar. 

 rive immediately at their perfect state, and so are 

 able to shift for themselves. Yetthus far the parental 

 instinct, (equal to the most rational fore-sight)extends,- 

 that they do not drop their eggs any where, but in- 

 commodious places, suitable to their- species. And 

 some include in their wests sufficient and agreeable 

 food, to serve the young till they come to maturity. 

 ; And for the young themselves. As the parent is 

 not able to carry them about, to clothe them and dan- 

 flle them, as man doth : how admirably 4s it contrived, 

 that they can soon walk about, and 'begin to shift for 

 themselves ! How naturally do they hunt for their 

 teat, suck, pick and take in their proper food ! 



On the other hand, the /young of man, (as their 

 parent's reason is .sufficient, to help, to nurse, feed 

 and clothe them) are born utterly helpless, and are 

 more absolutely than any creature, cast upon their 

 parent's care. 



Secondly. What admirable provision is made for 



* * 



some of the most helpless creatures, at a time when 

 they must otherwise utrerly perish ! The winter is an 

 improper season to aifml food to insects and many 

 other animals. When the fields, trees, and plants 

 are naked, and the air is chilled with frost; what, 

 would become of such animals, \\hose tender bodies 



