51 



of nature? These con-centre the solar fire, and com- 

 pletely ripen the grape! O lhat any should turn so 

 valuable a gift of God into an instrument of sin ! 



<( What is nature but a series of wonders? That such 

 a variety of fruits should rise from the insipid, sordid 

 earth ? I take a walk through my garden or orchard in 

 December. There stand several logs of wood on the 

 ground. They have neither sense nor motion ; yet in a 

 little time they are beautified with blossoms, they are co- 

 vered with leaves, and at last loaded with fruit. I have 

 wondered at the account of those prodigious engines, in- 

 vented by Archimedes. But what are all the inventions 

 of men, to those nice automata of nature ? 



" The forest rears myriads of massy bodies, which 

 though neither gay with blossoms, nor rich with fruit, 

 supply us with timber of various kinds. But who shall 

 cultivate them ? The toil were endless. See therefore 

 the ever wise and gracious ordination of providence ! 

 They have no need of the spade or the pruning-knife. 

 They want no help from man. 



" When sawed into beams they sustain the roofs of our 

 houses. They make carriages to convey our heaviest 

 loads. Their substance is so pliant, that they are 

 easily formed into every kind of furniture : yet their 

 texture so solid, that they compose the most important 

 parts of the largest engines. At the same time, their ' 

 pressure is so light, that they float upon the waters. 

 Thus while they serve all the ends of architecture, and 

 bestow numberless conveniences on the family, they con- 

 stitute the very basis of navigation, and give being to 

 commerce. 



If we descend from the ground floor of our habitation 

 into the subterraneous lodgments, we shall find there 

 also the most exquisite contrivance, acting in concert 

 with the most profuse goodness. Here are various 



VOL. in. D 



