178 The Wisdom of GOD Part L 



might probably ferve us to good Purpofe, 

 whofe Ufes are not difcovered, nor are they 

 ever like to be, without Pains and Induftry. 

 True it is, many of the greateft Inventions 

 have been accidentally ftumbled upon ; but 

 not by Men fupine and carelefs, but bufy and 

 inquifitive. Some Reproach methinks it is to 

 learned Men, that there fhould be fo many Ani- 

 mals in the World, vsrhofe outv^ard Shape is not 

 yet taken Notice of, or defcrib'd, muchlefs their 

 Way of Generation, Food, Manners, Ufes, ob- 

 ferved. 



The Scripture, Tfal, 148. calls upon the SiiUy 

 Mooriy and Stars ^ Fire and Hail^ Snow and Va- 

 four^ Jlormy Winds and Tempejis^ Mount aiiis and 

 all Hilhy fruitful 'TreeSy and all Cedars^ Beajis 

 and all Cattle y creeping Tubings and flying Fowly 

 &c. to praife the Lord. How can that be ? Can 

 fenfelefs and inanimate Things praife God ? fuch 

 as are the Sun, and Moon, and Stars. And al- 

 though Beafts be advanced higher to fome De- 

 gree of Senfe and Perception ; yet being void of 

 Reafon and Underllanding, they know nothing 

 of the Caufes of Things, or of the Author and 

 Maker of themfelves, and other Creatures. All 

 that they are capable of doing, in reference to 

 the praifing of God, is (as I faid before^ by af- 

 fording Matter, or Subjed, of praifmg him, to 

 rational and intelligent Beings. So the Pfalmift, 

 P/al.xix. I. jTfo Heavens declare the ^ Glory of 

 Ggdy a?id the Firmament Jheweth his Handy-work. 

 And therefore the Pfalnufty when he calls upon 

 I Sun, 



