202 ASTRONOMY. 



able, and so easily, from a variety of sources, such as 

 wood, oil, and all combustible bodies : — and what is 

 more observable, since we could not have conceived 

 of its possibilty, this diffusive and destructive ele- 

 ment of fire is so quiatly and safely concealed in all 

 these substances, till we have occasion to make use 

 of it. 



ASTRONOMY 



T. It becomes most interesting to inquire whether 

 we are able to pursue the same system of design into 

 the remoter parts of the universe which fall within 

 our observation. 



A. We are not indeed able to pursue our re- 

 searches into the heavenly bodies, as into the struc- 

 ture of a plant or animal ; but the knowledge we have 

 is sufficient to convince us they are a continuation of 

 the same skilful and beneficent contrivance we find to 

 be so perfect in the objects we are able to examine ; 

 that is, to examine so nearly as to trace the minute 

 relations and correspondency of parts. 



T. You may mention some of the most conspicu- 

 ous marks of design and wisdom in the Solar System. 



A. In the first place, it is a plain manifestation of 

 design and of a designing Creator, that the Sun is situ- 

 ated in the centre ; and that the earth and planets 

 are disposed around the orb by which they are warm- 



