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"standing they caused such havoc among "the grain, they made ample recompence by clearing the ground of the noxious worms with which it abounds. As soon as the birds were destroyed, the reptiles "had full leave to multiply, and the consequence was the total loss of the grass in "1749, when the New Englanders, too late repentants, were obliged to get their hay "from Pennsylvania, and even from Great "Britain *.

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As for the beasts of the earth, no less conspicuous doth the wisdom and goodness of the Creator appear in them, whether we consider their numbers, uses, colours, or forms. That those quadrupeds which are of a ferocious kind should be few in number, and those which are gentle and docile, and of great utility to man, very numerous, is certainly a display of infinite wisdom and kind

ness.

The more we consider the latter, the greater reason we have to adore the Lord of all for his wise disposal of things.

* See Encyclopædia Britannica.

Did the horse, that most beautiful of all the four-footed kind, the strength and courage of which is terrible in war; or the lusty ox, which bellows in our fields, know properly what strength they are possessed of,—would the one, by means of a simple boy, be made to draw in the plough, and drudge in our carriages; or the other be driven or turned away by a little child? How wisely, then, hath our Creator apparently deprived them of this knowledge, or magnified man greatly in their eyes! otherwise, how would the labours of the husbandman be facilitated!

Is not the Creator's goodness, too, greatly manifested in the provision he hath made, both for the protection and subsistence of the inferior animals? Those of them which have the least means of defending themselves by offensive operations, against the attacks of enemies, are either put more imme diately under the care of man, such as the sheep, or enabled to elude the foe by agility and swiftness, such as the hare; while all of them are supplied with suitable food out of His ever-liberal hand. Let us then adore the bounteous Lord, since the highest angel

in heaven is not above his controul, nor the meanest reptile on earth beneath his notice.

*

The fishes of the sea, likewise, have their share in proclaiming his wonderful works. Could we follow them in their excursions through the pathless deep, and behold their manœuvres, and the gambols of the leviathan, we might justly cry out, How wonderful are thy works, O Lord! And is it not a great manifestation of infinite counsel and wisdom, that those of the finny tribe which are of the greatest benefit to man, are most plenteous and remain near the shores; whereas the others, like the voracious among the fowls, and the ferocious amongst the beasts, are, in general, more remote from the habitations of men?

Shall we next come home to ourselves, and take a view of man?

And what a wonderful creature is man! whether we consider the texture of his body, or the formation of his soul! What a curious structure is the body! consisting of various senses, parts, and members, admira

bly framed for performing all the functions of human life, nothing that could be awanting, and nothing superfluous; all situated most conveniently for use, ornament, and mutual assistance; displaying the wisdom and goodness of our Almighty Maker. His erect form sheweth he was made for the contemplation of high and noble objects, and to look for happiness somewhere else than from the earth; besides, this elegant structure of the body, with the majesty of the countenance, serve to over-awe the brutal creation.

If we consider the senses, how wonderful are they, and how conveniently situated! As watchmen used not to be placed in a low or obscure situation, but on the walls or towers of the capital, to give timely information of danger to the monarch and inhabitants that lodged within; so the noblest senses are not stationed low in the body, but wisely in the head, said by some to be the capital of the soul, so that they may give timely intelligence of hurt to that rational monarch. How astonishing are the properties of the eye! displaying the wisdom and power (which, indeed, all the other senses do,) of our almignty Maker, as by it things

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are descried at a great distance, and the colour and form thereof, that moment it beholds them, communicated to the soul. By it we can find our way amidst the pathless ocean; distinguish faces, however much alike; view the curiosities of machinery; take up the stateliness, elegancy, and ornaments of architecture, and even canvass the celestial bodies themselves.

Without the sense of vision, to us the rainbow would display its variegated colours in vain, the delight of the landscape be lost, and the exquisite tinges of the tulip, with all the retinue of flowers, be exhibited to no purpose. The sense of hearing, too, how surprising it is! as by it sounds are distinguished, and the pleasure of harmony communicated to the mind. Nor is that of smelling less wonderful, whereby agreeable odours are received with pleasure, and the contrary with reluctance, and by which we are led to take food and frequent places, which are most conducive to our health. Likewise that of the palate; how nicely does it distinguish betwixt that which is agreeable and disagreeable to the appetite, receiving the things of the former with com

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