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They tell of different things. The book of Nature appeals 
to the bodily senses, and the whole of its teaching relates to 
the physical universe, and to this life. It knows nothing of 
the spirit, and its destinies. The Bible, on the other hand, 
never professes to teach Natural Science. Its words, of course, 
are coined from natural objects and actions, and it makes large 
use of Nature in the way of illustration ; but its subject matter 
is the moral law of God, the way of salvation, and eternal life. 
It is not in this direction, therefore, that we need look for 
much mutual confirmation, nor need we fear much disagree- 
ment. 
The two books, however, as was just stated, resemble each 
other in their indications of the character and mind of their 
Author. Nature leads us up to the conviction of a Supreme 
Intelligence; the Bible assumes His existence from the be- 
ginning. The unity of design that runs through the universe 
bespeaks the oneness of its Maker ; in the Bible we read, 
“ Hear, 0 Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.” Nature 
shows us the superabundant evidence of power ; the Holy 
Scriptures call God “ Almighty.” Our proudest achievements 
in natural knowledge are but the disclosing of a higher wisdom ; 
the sacred writers stand amazed at “the depth of the riches both 
of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” The philosopher and the 
inspired apostle agree that “ in Him we live and move and 
have our being,” and alike recognize His constant sustaining 
energy. In our study of the universe we come to a profound 
conviction of the uniformity of law ; Jehovah declares, “ I 
change not;” and even miracles appear in the Bible as part of 
the working out of a Predetermined plan. The terribleness of 
the Most High is seen alike in the world and on the page of 
inspiration. His justice and His goodness may be gathered, 
though somewhat uncertainly, from the book of Nature ; but 
they are clearly revealed in His word. It is only when our 
accusing conscience forces the question of His mercy, and 
makes us doubt the possibility of His favour, that Nature is 
silent, and we turn to those better oracles which unfold to us 
the scheme of redemption, and assure us that “ God is 
love.” 
There is also another kind of resemblance between the two 
books of Nature and Revelation, which springs from their 
having the same Author, and which I may, perhaps, be al- 
lowed to term the analogy of style. In both we find facts given 
abundantly, but no scientific systems ; in both there is a won- 
derful unity of plan in diversity of operation ; in both there is 
a frequent recurrence of types — that is, of the same Divine 
idea repeated, perhaps many times, but modified to suit the 
