NATURAL THEOLOGY. 207 



stance, we discover a useful and beneficent arrange- 

 ment actually adopted, and no other. In examining 

 the human frame ; the mechanism of the bones and 

 muscles ; the organs for nourishing the system ; the 

 admirable covering by which it is shielded, and pre- 

 served in an agreeable and healthy temperature ; — 

 here is a case within our comprehension. We see 

 the objects to be effected ; and we understand in a 

 good degree, the means which are necessary to effect 

 them. We see that a locomotive animal, an animal 

 that must move in order to subsist, requires limbs of 

 particular dimensions and forms ; — and muscles adapt- 

 ed to set these limbs in motion ; and alimentary ap- 

 paratus to support these muscles in life and vigor. It 

 is a case within our comprehension : only a few plain 

 principles of contrivance happen here to be involved, 

 similar, for the most part, to those we are familiar 

 with in mechanism of our own ; and here we discover 

 the most consummate evidence of design usefully and 

 benevolently directed. We are acquainted with the 

 mechanical powers. We understand the nature of a 

 pulley. We know what is to be done, if it is proper 

 the eye should be drawn upward or downward, or in 

 this direction or in that, for the purposes of vision. 

 We find it is done. If the human body is to be 

 nourished by food, which food must be divided and 

 ground to fit it for the digestive organs ; here is a 

 case within our certain comprehension, in the end and 

 in the means ; and we can unhesitatingly pronounce, 

 that teeth are a necessary provision. We find them 

 provided ; and in every animal perfectly adapted to 



