NATURAL THEOLOGY. 119 



fencelessness and devastation are repaired by 

 fecundity. 



We have dwelt the longer on these considera- 

 tions, because the subject to which they apply, 

 namely that of animals devouring one another, 

 forms the chief, if not the only instance, in the 

 works of the Deity, of an economy, stamped by 

 marks of design, in which the character of utility 

 can be called in question. The case of venomous 

 animals is of much inferior consequence to the 

 case of prey, and, in some degree, is also included 

 under it. To both cases it is probable that many 

 more reasons belong, than those of which we are 

 in possession. 



Our FIRST PROPOSITION, and that which we have 

 hitherto been defending, was, "that, in avast plu- 

 rality of instances, in which contrivance is per- 

 ceived, the design of the contrivance is beneficial." 



Our SECOND PROPOSITION is, "that the Deity has 

 added ^/e«5Mre to animal sensations, beyond what 

 was necessary for any other purpose, or when the 

 purpose, so far as it was necessary, might have 

 been effected by the operation of pain.'*^ 



^ This is a most important consideration, and one which can- 

 not be dwelt upon too constantly; and which assuredly will, by 

 the contemplative and well-regulated mind, never be dwelt upon 

 without experiencing the most pleasing and salutary influence. 

 It will be further illustrated in the Appendix ; but in this place it 

 may be right to add, that the induction of facts plainly shows 

 the system of the universe to be governed upon the principle of 

 inducement rather than denouncement ; of reward more than of 

 punishment ; and not only are sentient beings guided by the 

 more kindly process where the harshe- would have sufficed, but 



