Donations of Books in the course of the year. 900 Sermons on the Prodigal Son, by a Friend of Missions. 25 Putnam's Essays, by Rev. Aaron Putnam. 12 Doddridge's Rise and Progress, by Rev. George Colton. A List of Books sent to the inhabitants of the new settlements in the states of Vermont, New-York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, by the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut. 2 Bibles, Bound Books, viz. 66 Testaments, 163 Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion. 55 Trumbull's Sermons on Divine Revelation. 25 Backus's Sermons on Regeneration. 353 Edwards's Sermons. 8 Vols. of Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. 44 Hartford Selection of Hymns. 1 Strong's Sermons. 717 Pamphlets, viz. 843 Doddridge's Address to Families. 100 Davidson's Sermon. 12 Catlin's Sermon. 655 Numbers of the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. 12 Edwards on Baptism. 12 N. Strong's Ordination Sermon. 100 Lathrop's Sermon on the Sabbath. 600 Trumbull's Address on Prayer. B On the Natural Creation. quences of abusing it. In one passage, the creation is with admirable sublimity personified, and represented as not merely complaining of the abuse it receives from us; but groaning under bondage, and travailing in pain for deliverance, for thousands of years, from the slavery and abuse by which it is subjected by man. "For the earnest expectation of the creature wait Y the natural creation is meant this world in which we live the vegetable and animal kingdoms, in their infinite variety, and the sun, moon, and other luminaries. Whatever is created is properly acreature, this is the import of the word. In this paper however, no other part of creation will be respected but that with which man is especial-eth for the manifestation of the ly connected, and which admin- sons of God. For the creature isters to him. We are contin- was made subject to vanity, not ually conversant with the crea- willingly, but by reason of him, ture, and are supplied with food, who hath subjected the same in raiment, shelter, light and innu- hope. Because the creature itmerable comforts by it, and we self also, shall be delivered from are responsible to God its au- the bondage of corruption, into thor, for the manner and pur- the glorious liberty of the chil- ́ poses for which we use it. And dren of God. For we know, it is of some importance to us, that the whole creation groaneth that we take the subject into and travaileth in pain together serious consideration. Many in- until now."-This passage, it structions are given us in the is believed, respects the whole scriptures, concerning the orig-natural world, so far as it adinal state and design of our ministers to man. It represents world, and the manner in which we are to use it, and the conse Romans viii. 19-22. It will be to the present purpose of the writer, to make a number of observations-On the original state and design of creation,-On its subjection to vanity, And on its deliverance from it. it as reluctantly in the situation, things were put into subjection in which it now is, loth to be put to him. Some parts ministered to such use, and groaning with food, some pleasure, some inearnest expectation for deliver-struction, and all served to furance from bondage and corrup-nish him with subjects, in which tion, into the glorious liberty, he might behold and contemor exemption from evils, which plate the wisdom, power, goodis reserved for the sons of God. ness and perfection of his CreaThis is indeed a figurative re- tor, and be filled with admirapresentation; but it is very plain tion and praise. In the sun, and significant, and is a striking moon and stars, he was led to exhibition of truths, which near- admire the greatness and magly concern mankind. nificence of God, in other things, his exquisite skill, and in all, his goodness; for all were very good, and answered the most benevolent purposes. All creation was calculated to inspire delight, having an endless variety to increase its charms, and inspire When God had created the man, the lord of all, with sentiworld, he saw, and beheld all ments of praise and gratitude. was very good-all was as it But the creatures were not deshould be, without fault, or any signed to pamper evil lusts, or tendency to evil. The state of to serve a rebel against their creation was at first suited to the Creator. Their ultimate object condition of man, in his prime- was to glorify God, and enrich val innocence. There was then mankind, with the knowledge of nothing hurtful, poisonous, vora- his perfections. Man was to be cious or destructive. The lion the great high-priest of all, to and the lamb might lie down to- present them, with thanksgiving, gether. There was no such unto God, and use them in his things as disease, infirmity, old service. This was their originage or death and no tendency al design, and in accomplishing in nature to any thing of the this, they answered the importkind. Universal welfare, har-ant end for which all things were mony and peace prevailed thro' nature. The earth also was so fertile, that it produced every thing necessary to man, in luxuriant profusion, and the seasons accorded with this happy state in the best manner, and all was incorruptible, and calculated for immortality. The design of the creature was, ultimately, to subserve the glory of God. The manner in which it was to do this, was to minister unto man, that he might use it in the service of God: all VOL. V. No. 9. created, and the highest end their natures were capable of effecting. Thus the state of creation was harmonious and blessed, and its end, the happiness and instruction of man, to the glory of God. For this the sun lighted him, the fruits fed him, and the creation in general ministered to him. We shall now proceed to a few observations on the subjection of the creature to vanity. It became, and now is, subject to this in several respects. Instead of harmony among all living S s things, in the animal world, original end for which it was there is now a constant, and al-made is perverted. Instead of most universal warfare. The aiding men to serve God, it beasts of prey are continually de-aids them to commit all manner vouring one creature or another. of provocations. It even supThe feathered race are pursuing plied those, who took its Creone another for food, commit-ator to the cruel tree. ting depredations on the insects, and even the fish of the sea are all pursuing, or pursued, thro' the deep. Fear, jealousy and terror have broken out, and spread misery through the whole animal creation. And though many animals escape the fangs of their pursuers, yet, in one way or other, all are doomed to die. The earth too has become comparatively barren; for God has said to man, Cursed is the ground for thy sake. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth. Nature is subjected to storms, and the seasons are often unfavorable to the production of the necessaries and conveniences of its inhabitants. All the elements teem with death; corruption is every where to be seen. A world of vanity and misery has come on the creature, and harmony is very much at an end. In this respect, creation is now in a manner ruined-it is subject to vanity. It is also subject to vanity, as it is subservient to sin, and to dishonor cast on God by man, instead of being employed to his praise. The sun lights mankind to dishonor its Maker. The fruits, in feeding him, pamper his lusts; the air he breathes is subjected to preserve a life of rebellion; the beasts are used in the service of sin, are often cruelly lashed, through the passions of their masters, and almost starved through their avarice, and the whole creation subserves the vislation of its Maker's laws. The This subjection to vanity is wholly the effect of sin-of the sin of man. When he sinned, the creature felt the wound; a dreadful subjection to evil took place. The sin of man inspired the tiger with voracity, and let him loose against the lamb, the hawk against the dove, and the fish against their inferior species. Sin was the cause of all the barrenness in the earth, and the other changes by which creation is deformed. This was designed as a punishment to man. When man became a sinner, it was not fit that he should live, where all was harmonious; and therefore the lower creation was given up to all this misrule and confusion. And it is the sin of man, which has occasioned the creature, to minister to rebellion against God. The creation is subject to all this vanity, not willingly. This is indeed a figurative expression; but it is a scriptural one, and very significant, and assures us that this is contrary to its nature and end, as it was at first made and appointed. We by our sins have forced it reluctantly into this bondage, and pressed it into the service of sin, and subjected it to disorder. In some respects, this is almost literally true. It is with reluctance that the beasts are driven with severity, and this often in the service of iniquity. The creature is made to remain subject to all this disorder and abuse out of kindness and mercy to sinful men. It was Some observations will next be made, on the deliverance of the creature from vanity.-The deliverance for which the creation groans and travails in pain, is a release from that subjection to discord, death and corruption, into which it was brought, by the fall of man: from this it will be delivered, and be again in a state of perfect harmony, incorruptible and eternal. It is not meant, that the same system, with which we are now connected, will certainly be restored; of this some may doubt; but there subjected to this, for a time, that | design, and that it should then the purposes of gospel grace be restored from the curse. might be accomplished. Had not Christ graciously interposed, the sun would have no longer enlightened man, after he had become a sinner; the earth would not have borne his weight, while he was abusing its Author; the air would not have been polluted by his lungs, nor the beasts have submitted to his dominion. Creation would have cast him off, and he would have been consigned over to punishment. This would have been according to justice, and the penalty of the divine law. But that an innumerable company might be sav-will be a place, harmonious and ed to the glory of infinite grace, the creature was subjected to minister to man, notwithstanding his apostacy. Further: The creature is subjected to this abuse in hope. This scriptural figure is very expressive. It represents the creature, as submitting to vanity, on no consideration, but the hope of some happy consequences, which might be obtained by it. It submits, as if in hope that Christ would reform the rebel man, so that he might use this world as not abusing it, and as in hope that Christ would be glorified, and turn the whole scene eventually to the honor of God, which is the ultimate end of creation. And it is truly, for this cause, that the creature is constrained to be subject to this abuse. The creation may also be represented as submitting, in hope that an end would come to its being abused, when Christ shall have answered his purposes; that it might then be permitted to cast off the irreclaimable, and administer to the people of God only, according to its original incorruptible, suited to the state of the sons of God, where they will dwell for ever. The heavens and earth which are now, are kept in store, reserved unto fire, against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men. The earth shall be burnt up, the elements melt with fervent heat, and the heavens be rolled together as a scroll, and as a vesture God shall change them, and they shall be changed; but we look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth rightcousness. This shall be the everlasting residence of the redeemed. This creation shall be put to the same use, for which the present world was at first designed. It will be subservient to the children of God and to his glory.In this new heavens and earth, all things will be adjusted to the state of the saints, so as to accommodate them to the employments for which they are redeemed. Then the creature will be delivered from all abuse, it will no longer be perverted to serve rebels in wickedness, nor |