298 OF THE HUMAN FACULTIES, 



influences the moral world, and by a comparison 

 of mans real condition, with his possible one, what 

 degree we shall bear to him in that future state 

 to which we are all looking forward. But here 

 the understanding receives a check, that from its 

 far advanced, and still advancing state, the mind 

 might not be quite so prepared to anticipate. 



It is true, in the structure of the universe 

 we see a wonderful piece of machinery, com- 

 posed of a variety of parts, each by different 

 means working its own useful ends, but yet con- 

 tributing to the general harmony of the whole. 

 We observe also in the natural world at least, 

 that no effects can le produced without some 

 primary cause, and we consequently and most 

 justly conclude, that this beautiful contrivance 

 must have some superior agent to give an impulse 

 to its various movements. But as the source of 

 all these effects has never been seen, or commu- 

 nicated with by us, we can neither decide upon 

 its form, its situation in the universe, nor in what 

 manner it acts. We only know from the results 

 its power far exceeds our own ; that we ourselves 

 are but a small and subordinate part of a system 

 regulated entirely by its superior agency ; and 

 that as we command obedience from those 

 parts of the creation placed under our controul, 

 so is submission due from us to that higher autho- 

 rity > at whose disposal all sublunary things 

 appear to be subservient. 



Thus disappointed in the pursuit of a know- 



