246 
which physical astronomy has carried its general con- 
nections with the universe. 
531. But there have been writers, who rested 
their views of the purification of the atmosphere by 
vegetation, not so much on observation and experi- 
ment, as on what they conceived to be its necessity 
in the general economy of nature ; and, with more 
perhaps of piety than of prudence, and certainly with 
a " zeal not according to knowledge," they have re- 
presented the contrary doctrine as derogatory to the 
wisdom of Providence, and a calumny against Nature 
herself. It is indeed true, and it is among the most 
gratifying truths in the pursuit of science, that every 
real step which we make in the knowledge of nature, 
serves to illustrate the skill and wisdom with which 
all its parts are contrived to advance the general pur- 
poses of the whole ; but of this whole, it should also 
be recollected, that we, " as yet, see but in part, and, 
as through a glass, darkly. " Hence imperfect and 
erroneous views of the order of nature may be often 
taken, and false conclusions may be grounded on 
them ; and if these conclusions be afterwards an- 
nounced as examples of divine wisdom, and be allow- 
ed to borrow the authority of Jinal causes for their 
support, the history of science abundantly testifies that 
the vainest conceits of fallible man may, in time, come 
to be worshipped as the wisest institutions of uner- 
ring nature. It behoves us, therefore, to employ no 
ordinary portion of delicacy and caution in pronoun- 
cing on the general plans and purposes of Providence, 
from the little and partial views of nature, which, at 
present, we are permitted to take, lest, in the effer- 
