194 BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 



which fills the heavens with his rays, and cheers the 

 earth with his presence The Sun is, indeed, a most 

 glorious luminary; and is, without doubt, the most 

 perfect image of his great Creator that we can be- 

 hold among inanimate beings; and, indeed, so nigh, 

 in one respect, does he resemble his Maker, that of 

 the Sun it may be said that he, also, is 



*' Too glorious to be gaz'd on in his sphere." 



It is no wonder, then, that the fallen reason of 

 'idolatrous nations " should mistake so fair a copy for 

 the adorable original," and that philosophers should 

 be divided so much in their opinions respecting his 

 substance. In one thing, however, even from the 

 imperfect glance we have been able to procure of 

 this glorious body, it is found to differ from, and to 

 fall infinitely short of, its Creator; for the Sun has 

 his spots, while He, who made the Sun, is 



Light itself, 



Pure, spotless, uncreated light, ineffable." 



According to Dr. Gregory, " the sun is very ge- 

 nerally considered as composed of the matter of light 

 and heat, whether these are to be regarded essen- 

 tially the same or not:" but he is careful how he ex- 

 presses himself, even in this cautious manner of de- 

 claring his sentiments ; for he adds, " perhaps it will 

 be speaking more correctly to say, that he is the 

 source of both, and that he both warms and enlight- 

 ens the bodies which surround him." The sun is, 



