On the Mosaic account of the Creation. 395 



and change or reduction in the temperature of climates, and it 

 was in mercy to the human race at once carried into effect. I 

 say, u in mercy to \the human race," because man had by his 

 transgression rendered himself mortal and subject to death. 

 It was therefore clearly an act of the greatest mercy in the 

 Almighty, to render the earth less lovely and attractive to the 

 fallen race, and thus not only lessen the regrets they would 

 naturally have left at being obliged to leave so beautiful a 

 world, but also teach them to look up with hope from the 

 pains and sorrows of this life, to Him, in whom alone conso- 

 lation could be found. 



But it must be remembered also, that the curse was entailed 

 upon the earth as a consequence to man's having rendered 

 himself mortal, and therefore it must remain upon it so long 

 as man, for whose sake it was cursed, shall retain his mortality; 

 consequently it could not have been removed by the deluge, 

 but remains yet in force, as is proved sufficiently by the fact 

 that man still eats his bread by the labour of his hands and 

 in the sweat of his brow, and is obliged to till and cul- 

 tivate the ground, which otherwise yields him nought but 

 weeds. 



How such a palpable and manifest oversight as this could 

 possibly have occurred to a writer of Mr. Pernios acumen, it 

 would be somewhat difficult to say, did we not learn by every 

 day's experience, how easy it is for an author to be absolutely 

 blind to those facts which are opposed to his favourite fancies, 

 while they are otherwise apparent to every one besides. In 

 the present case, however, we might almost suppose the 

 author had wilfully shut his eyes to the facts of the case, 

 how else could he have misunderstood the passage, iC cursed 

 is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it 

 all the days of thy life" Could he possibly be unaware 

 of the fact that man still eats his bread in sorrow, and in the 

 sweat of his brow ? 



* 



With regard to man, the dreadful consequences of 'mortality \ 



