NATURAL THEOLOGY. 173 



view, by induction of particulars, by variety of ex- 

 amples, by applying principles to the solution of 

 phenomena, by dwelling upon proofs and conse- 

 quences, that mental exercise is drawn into any 

 particular channel. It is by these means, at least, 

 that we have any power over it. The train of 

 spontaneous thought, and the choice of that train, 

 may be directed to different ends, and may ap- 

 pear to be more or less judiciously fixed, accord- 

 ing to the purpose in respect of which we consider 

 it : but, in a moral view, I shall not, I believe, be 

 contradicted when I say, that, if one train of 

 thinking be more desirable than another, it is that 

 which regards the phenomena of nature with a 

 constant reference to a supreme intelHgent Author. 

 To have made this the ruling, the habitual senti- 

 ment of our minds, is to have laid the foundation 

 of every thing which is religious. The world 

 thenceforth becomes a temple, and life itself one 

 continued act of adoration. The change is no 

 less than this ; that, whereas, formerly God was 

 seldom in our thoughts, we can now scarcely look 

 upon any thing without perceiving its relation to 

 him. Every organized natural body, in the pro- 

 visions which it contains for its sustentation and 

 propagation, testifies a care, on the part of the 

 Creator, expressly directed to these purposes. 

 We are on all sides surrounded by such bodies ; 

 examined in their parts, wonderfully curious; 

 compared with one another, no less wonderfully 

 diversified. So that the mind, as well as the eye, 

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