210 



But some may ask, to what purpose lias nature 

 bestowed so much ex pence on so insignificant crea- 

 tures ? 1 answer, this very thing proves they arc 

 not so insignificant, as we fondly suppose. This 

 beauty is given them either for their own sake, that 

 they themselves may be delighted with it; or for 

 ours, that we may observe in them the amazing power 

 and goodness of the Creator. If the former, they are 

 of consequence in the account of their maker, and 

 therefore deserve our regard. If the latter, then it 

 is certainly" our duty to take notice of, and admire 

 them. 



In short, the whole universe is a picture, in which 

 are displayed the perfections of the Deity. It shews 

 not only his existence, but his unity, his power, his 

 wisdom, his independence, his goodness. His unity, 

 appears in the harmony we cannot but see in all the 

 parts of nature; in that one simple end to which 

 they are directed, and the conformity of all the 

 means thereto. On every side we discern either sim- 

 j:le elements or compound bodies, which have all dif- 

 ferent actions and offices. What the fire inflames, 

 the water quenches : what one wind freezes, another 

 thaws. But these and a thousand other operations, so 

 seemingly repugnant to each other, do nevertheless 

 all concur in a wonderful manner, to produce one 

 effect. And all are so necessary to the main design, 

 that were the agency of any one destroyed, an in- 

 terruption oi the order and harmony of the creation 

 must immediately ensue. 



i Suppose, forjnstance, the wind to be taken away, 

 and all society is in the utmost disorder. Naviga- 

 tion is at a stand, and all our commerce with foreign 

 cations destroyed. Go the other hand the va- 

 pours raised from the sea would remain suspended 

 just where they rose, consequently we should .be de- 

 prived oi that useful covering, the clouds, which now 

 screens us from the scorching heat ; yea, and of the 

 fruitful rains. So our land would be parched up, 

 the iruits of the earth wither, animals die, through, 



