CARNIVORA. 
find there is, that information on the point in 
question does not concern our moral conduct, the 
great and only object of the Bible, otherwise it would 
have been more satisfactorily afforded. 
Indeed, a reference to the Sacred Volume on points 
of natural philosophy, physical speculation, or hy- 
pothetical conjecture, is seldom attended with a 
satisfactory result, and is always to be conducted 
with the greatest caution ; for the Bible was not in- 
tended to gratify our curiosity on abstract points of 
science, which are left for the exercise of reason, 
but to reveal to us the loss of our integrity, a moral 
code, and a future state. The rest 
From man or angel the great Architect 
Did wisely to conceal, and not divulge 
His secrets, to be scann’d by them who ought 
Rather admire ; or if they list to try 
Conjecture, he his fabric of the Heavens 
Has left to their disputes, perhaps to move 
His laughter at their quaint opinions wide. 
Hereafter when they come to model heaven. 
And calculate the stars, how they will wield 
The mighty frame, how build, unbuild, contrive 
To save appearances, how gird the sphere 
With centric and eccentric scribbled o’er. 
Cycle and epicycle, orb in orb. Milton, Par. Lost. 
To go farther into this subject, would be de- 
viating from the object intended; but thus much 
may be proper, because the student in nature may 
sometimes find the evidence of sense appear at first 
' sight to militate against that of faith, and he must 
B 2 
