444 ANSERES. COLYMBID^E. 



bringing out to view fresh proofs of His unspeakable 

 wisdom, skill, power, forethought, care, and love, 

 in the creation, preservation, and sustentation of His 

 creatures. The gratification of scientific curiosity 

 is worse than idle, if it leads not to this : whatever 

 exactness of knowledge we may acquire, or whatever 

 scientific skilfulness we may attain, is, without this 

 result, " but shaping letters aright without learning 

 to know their signification and value." " It is God 

 appearing in the creatures, that is the life, and 

 beauty, and use, and excellency of all the creatures ; 

 without Him they are but carcases, deformed, 

 useless, vain, insignificant, and very nothings."* 



* Baxter's Walking with God," Ch. i. f 9. 



