OF NATURE. 23 



One order of things originates from the Creator, while the other is the work of man, 

 and is the fubjecT: of our prefent labour. God, beginning from the mo ft fimple terref- 

 trial elements, advances through Minerals, Vegetables, and Animals, and finilhes with 

 Man. Man, on the contrary, reverfing this order, begins from himfelf, and proceeds 

 downwards to the materials of the earth. The framer of a fyftematic arrangement be- 

 gins his ftudy by the investigation of particulars, from which he afcends to more uni. 

 verfal propofitions ; while the teacher of this method, taking a contrary courfe, firft 

 explains the general propofitions, and then gradually defcends to particulars. Springs 

 unite together into rivulets, and thefe conjoin to form rivers ; through thefe the ikill- 

 ful navigator afcends fo far as his art allows, but is never able to reach the original 

 fountains. A diftincl: knowledge of things being given us, we muft endeavour to pe- 

 netrate farther into their particular properties, and to inveftigate, as far as we are able, 

 their phenomena, their myfterious operations, their natures, their virtues, and their 

 ufes, In the fcience of Natural Hiftory, through its feveral departments of the three 

 kingdoms of Nature, lies the only fure foundation of Regimen, Medicine, and Econo- 

 my, both that which regards the arts of life, and that which is followed in the opera- 

 tions of Nature. " Happy are thofe who cultivate this fcience, if they know and em- 

 " ploy juftly the bleffings which they enjoy 1" 



All created things are proofs of the Divine power and wifdom, and fertile fources 

 of human happinefs ; in their proper ufe the goodnefs of God is manifefted to man ; 

 from their beauty and fitnefs the wifdom of the Creator ihines forth ; and, from the 

 admirable economy which appears in their prefervation, their juft proportions to each 

 other, and in the means employed for their perpetual renovation, the power of the 

 Divine Majefty is moft clearly (hewn : Therefore the difcovery of thefe things has in 

 all ages been highly efteemed and earneftly profecuted by the wife and truly learned j. 

 while this ftudy hath only been defpifed by the ignorant and the foolifh. 



I will declare thy wondrous works, Lord! and all the generations of the earth fhall 

 fpak of the might of thy terrible afls^ 



THE 



