394 



" It is not necessary, in order to establish the credibility of a 

 particular Providence, to deduce it from known and undisputed 

 facts. I should be exceedingly cautious in pointing out any sup- 

 posed instances of this kind, as those who are fond of indulging 

 themselves in determining the precise cases wherein they imagine 

 the immediate interference of the Divinity is discoverable, often 

 run into the weakest and most injurious superstitions. It is im- 

 possible, indeed, unless we were capable of looking through the 

 whole chain of things, and of viewing each effect in its remote 

 connections and final issues, to pronounce of any contingency, 

 that it is absolutely, and in its ultimate tendencies either good or 

 bad. That can only be known by the Great Author of nature, 

 who comprehends the full extent of our total existence, and sees 

 the influence which every particular circumstance will have in 

 the general sum of our happiness. But though the peculiar points 

 of divine interposition are thus necessarily, and from the natural 

 imperfection of our discerning faculties, extremely dubious; yet 

 it can by no means from thence be justly inferred, that the doc- 

 trine of a particular Providence is either groundless or absurd: 

 the general principle may be true, though the application of it to 

 any given purpose be involved in very inextricable difficulties." — 

 Fitzosboune's Letters. 



" He that dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, shall 

 abide under the shadow of the Almighty ! He shall not be afraid 

 for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day. He 

 is my refuge, and my fortress; my God, in him will 1 trust ! When 



