THEOLOGICAL %^m^l^^'t Pmceton,N.J. 'I I) C(ls<-, Division .'.....\ I «/«'//; Section Sgton, M. D. W:n. Hodgfon, Efq; Tho. Flodgfon, Efq; John Hodgfon, Efq; Eafton Tho. Hodgfon, Attorney, 2 Mr. VVm. Hodgfon — John Hodgfon — Wm. Hodgfoa, Scotby — John Hodgfon, Botcherby I)avid Hodgfon, jun. Wormilby Mr. Ifaac Hodgfon — Caleb Hodgfon — John Hodgfon, Beaumont — Wm. Hodgfon, Faqld — T. Hodgfon — Tho. Holmes, Scotby — Bcnj. HolmeiJ — John Holmes — Ifaac Holmes Mifs Holmes John Heflop, Efq; Mr. Wm. Halton — Geo. Kcwit, Attorney — John Holden, B. A. — Adjutant Hill, Newtown — Tho. Hill — Wm. How — Tho. Hardcfly — John Howard — Wm. Henderfon — John Howell — John Hutton, Burgh Rev. John James^, D.t). Arthuret Rev. Mr. James, ditto Mr, John James — Robert James -- Fr. Jollie Mr. Eenj. Jamefoa Tho..Irviii, Efq; Moflide Rich. JackfoH, Efq; Mayor Rev. Mr. Ifmay, Burgh ?.Tr. Wm. Jackfon Mifs Jackfon Mr. Rich. Jackfon • — John Jackfon — Jacob Johiiflon — Jof. Irvin, Botcherby — Chrift. Ivlfon, Cargo — John Key, Attorney Rev. George Law, A. M. Jof. Liddell, Efq; Moorhoufe, § Mrs. Liddell, ditto, 4 — Liddell, ditto Mifs Liddell — Pen. Liddell John Lofh, Efq; Mifs Lofli John Lofh, jun. Efq; Woodfide, 6 Mrs. Lofh, ditto Mr. Tho. Lofn — Tho. Lofii Jo. Liddell, Longburgh — Liddell, Bouftead Hill — Jof, Liddell, Kirkandrcws — J, Liddell, Baldwin Holme ■ — Rich. Lothian, Attorney — Tho. Little, Attorney, 2 — John Little, Kingmoor — John Little, Blough — John Latimer, Burnfoot — Mufgrave Lewthwaite — R.obert Laoionby W. H. Milbournc, Efq; Arma^ thwaite, 2 Rev. Mr. Wilfon Morley Geo. Mounfcy, Efq; John Milbovirne, Efq; Mr. John Milbournc — John Mitchinfju — John Marfliail b z Mr- ^11 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. James Mitchell . — J. Mowat, Surgeon, Long- toyn Rev. Mr.- Mark, Burgh _. Mr. Peter Morriltf/lNewtown '— Alex. M*Connel '" — John Milliken, 6 — John Moffat — Wm. Melville — Jof. Mullindcr, Drawdikes Hon. Edw. Norton, " Recorder and M. P. 2 • - • John Nichoilon, Efq; Mr. Win. Nicholfosi Rev. Mr. Nichol. Kirkandrevvs Mr. John Nelfon - — John Noble — Wm. Nixon, Sandsncld — Henry Nutter - - — John Owen -— Tho. Overton Mrs. Percy, Dromore Mifs Percy, ditto Rev. Mr. Paley, Chancellor of Carl i fie Mrs. Pcarfon T^Xx^. Pattlnfon, Longto\vn Mr. Daniel Pattinfon — Wm. Pitt — John Pringle Wm. RichardfoDj, Efq; Rick- crby, 6 Mrs. Reed, North Alierton Mr. John Robinfon, Aghonby .^ — James Reid, Little Corby - — Patrick Redmond — Geo. Robinfon — Jof. Robinfon, Wreay . — Chriit. Robinfon, Scoiby . — Robert Pv(>binfon Mifs Margaret P..obinfon Mr. Benj. Railton — Railton, tJnthank — And. Richardfon, Stanwix — Arthur Rennick, Orton — John Rawfon ' — Ed. Routledge The Earl of Surrey, M. P. ^ Sir Jofeph Senhoufe Mrs. Senhoufe Mrs. Stanley Rev. Mr. Shaw, Crofby Rev. Mr. Wm.. Shaw Mr. Tho. Sowerby — Ifaac Slack, Armathwaite — Tho. Spooner — John Strong, Attorney — Jofeph Stoddart — Tho. Snowden, Morton Head — Wm. Sampfon — Wm. Sharp, Thurflcnfiield — John Stordy, ditto — Warren Stamp — Stephenfon, Longtowa — - John Studholm, St. Nicholas — Rob. Sewel, Stockdalewatli — John ScTvel Rev. Mr. Taylor Rev. Mr. George Thomfon Mr. Wm. Thompfon — Henry Thompfon — Chrilh Thompfon — Wm. Thompfon — Geo. Thompfon, Parkbroom — Jofeph Twcntyman Mifs Waugh, 4 Mris. Wardale R. B. AVarwick, Efq; Warwick Jof. Wilkinfon, Efq; Rev. Mr. George Wilfon Rev. Mr. Wheelwright Jeremiah Wherlingi, Efq; Mr. Alexander Wilfon — Robert Waldie — John Wanup, Ncwby — Tho. Wilton — David Wilfon — George Wtight, Longtovn — Wm. Wilkin,'Roclifi'Cro(^ Mrs. SUBSCRIBERS NAMES; ALNWICK and Neighbourkocd. THE Duke of Northumber- land, 2 , ' Rev. Mr. Beaty, UIgham Ed. Charleton, Efq; Rev. Mr. Hodgfon, Ulghatii Tho. Horton, Efq; Henry Col. Sclby, Efq; Mr. John Smith ALSTON, ^c. Mr. Andrew Adamfon — Jofiah Craig, Tyne-hcad — Jofiah Dickinfon, ditto — Jofiah Dickinfon — John Dodd — Robert Hodgfon — ^ Jof. Hind — Thomas Lee — Robert Milligan Rev. Tim. Neifon, A. M. Mr. Thomas Pattinfon — Wm. Shields BRAMPTON, eff . Mr. Charles ^Burrow — James Brown ■ — Thomas Bell — G. Calvert, Sandy-fikc -— Wm. Coufius, Bothby — Ed. Carrick — David Ewart — James Ewart — - John Ewart - — Simon Ewart Hunt French, Efq; Mr. John Fleming, jiin. Rev. Mr. Gilbank Mr. John Grr'ham, Attorney — Gray, Kirkhoufe Mr. Ifaac Hetherington — John Hetherington — Adam Halyburton — Thomas Hetherington — John Hudfon, Surgeon ^ — Rob. Halyburton, Afiierton — James Martin, Surgeon — Wm. Magiiay — Thomas Ramfhay — T. Ramfhay, fun. Naworth — John Robfon, Soglin Rev. Mr. Stoddart Mr. John Sloan Rev. Mr. Stamper, Irthington Mr. Lancelot Townly — Will. Tiffin, Attorney Rev. Mr. Wightman Rev. Mr. Wills, Hayton CAMBRIDGE, toV. Rev'. Rich. Bere, A. B. Rev. R. C. Chilton, A. B. Ed. Dales, Efq; R. Ligram, Efq; Mr. Jamca Lofh Mr. Edm. St;'.ng;er Rev. F. T. H. Wollafton, A.B, Chritt. Wilfon, Efq; Wm. Lawrence, Efq; Mr. J. Watfon, A. B. CARLISLE, life. Mifs A.glionby Mifs Alk:nfon ' John Atkinfoi), Efq; Mr. Sam, Atkinfon, Attorney Mr. John .r'VinOey Rev. Roger Baklwin, M. D. Rev. John Brown Rev. John Bird Henry Birket, Efq; b Henry SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Henry P. Brown, Efq; Tho. Benfon, Efq; "jofeph BlaJn, M. D. Tho. Blamlrc. M. D. Mr. Philip Barnes, Attorney Mrs. Bird Mifs Bird Mifs Eliza. Bird Mr. Abraham Banks, 3 — John Beaumont — John Beeby ' — John Bcwley — Jof, Barnfathcr ~— ■ Bainbridgc ■ — Tho. Bouftcad •^ Bcnj. Browu — Mich. Beck — John Byers — James Bcaty ' — Jof. Bowman, Botcherby, — Andrew Bel). Scotby — Tho. Briico, ditto — Blacklock» Vvawby Rev. Mr, Burn, Kirkandrews Mr. Matthew Bell Lord Bifnop of Carlifle, 4 Lord Bifliop of Clonfert, 4 Dr. Ekin, Dean of Carlifle, 4 Rev. Mr. Charleton J. F. Clarke, Efq; Counfellor at Law, 2 Robert Colline, Efq; Morrice Coulthard, M. D. i Tho. Coulthard, Efq; Mr. Jona. Creightgn, Surgeon ' — Tho. Coulthard, Scotby • — John Carnaby ' — Hamuel Coleman — Joha Claike, Houghton — John Carrick — Wm. Clarke Lord Bi.'hop ofDromore Rev. Rich. Dicklufon Win. Dacre, Efq; 4 Mrs. Dalton Ilenry Dobinfon, Efq; Mrs. Dobinfon Mr. Philip Dobinfon, Scotby — Tho. Dixon, Attorney — Wm. Donald Rev. Mr. Dunglinfon, Beaumbnf Mr. John Dobfon Mrs. Ann Drinkwatcr Mr. Jona. Dalftou • — Wm. Dand — Rich Dixon, Orton — Ellwood — Arthur Elliot >— Wm. Elliot Rev. John Fairifh, A. M. Tho. Fofter, Efq; Mr. John Fofter • — John Fofter — John Fergufon Mifs Fifher Mr. Thp. Faulder, Beaumont — Robert Fifher Sir James Graham, Bart. Nc- therby, 4 Lady Catharine Graham, ditto, 4 Mrs. Graham, ditto, 2 Wm. Graham, Efq; ditto, 2 Fergus Graham, Efq; ditto John Graham, Efq; Edmund- Caftle Mr. James Graham, ditto Mifs Graham, ditto Mifs Graham, Knells Mr. Charles Graham, Attorney Rev. Mr. Gilhanks, Wctheral John GafF, Efq; Rev. Brown Grifdale, M. A. Rev. Mr. Giil, Hefkctt John Griei-, Efq; Mr. Greatorcx — Alderman Gill — Jchn Gibbons Mr; SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. XV David Campbel, M. D. Mr. James CoUiiifon — John Clowes, Liverpool Curry, M. D. ditto Mr. David Dockray Mifs Day, 2 John Dil worth Joh\i Ford, Efq; Mrs. Ifab. Fletcher Mr. Giles Heyfham Henry Hargravc, Efq; Mayor Rev. Mr. Harrifon Mr. Edw. Harrifon- G€o. Hutton, Efq; Liverpool Mr. \Vm. Jepfon Wm. Lindau, Efq; Rev. Oiiver Marton, D. D. Rev. Mr, M'Leland, Catteral Mr. Myles Mafon ■ — Benj. Mienly, Mancheftcr — James Noble — Rich. Polllethwaite John Parker, Efq; Crofliolm John Rawlinfon, Eiq; Tho. Rawlinfon, Efq; Rev. Mr. Renihaw, Liverpool Mr. Jof. Robinfon — Cha. Randal, 6 — Rich. Salifbiiry — Edw. Sewart, jun. — Sam, Simpfon Rev. Ja. Thomas, Bolton Sand Mr. John Taylor • — Henry Tindal Rev. Robert Turnbuli, Catteral Mr. Rich. Walker LONDON, yd, Efq; t Mr. Sergeant Boiton Rich. Burke, Efq; Counfcllor at Law Mr. John Barton — Jof. Barton — Wm. Brummel John Cowan, Efq; Ely Place Wm. Chapman, Efq; Rich. Camplain, Efq; Tho, ^tl SUBSCRIBERS NAMES: Tho. Cojlingv.-ood, Efq; Tho. Coles, Efq; Mr. ChauDcey ■ — Clennel, Staples Inn — John Collinfon Duke of Devonfliire Sir Tho. . Davenport, King's ' Ccunl'cl Rob. Drummond, Efq; Banker Heary Drummond, Efq; ditto John Defchamps, Efo; Right Hon Cha. Ja. Fox, 4 Sir Mich, le Fleming, Bart. . " James Bogle French, Efq; Wm. Fuller, Efq; Banker Nath. Bogle French, Efq; And. French, Efq; Mr. Robert Fauldcr, 6 John Furncl Tuffin Sir Henry Gray Geo. Gedwing, Efq; Mr. Rich. Graham John Bayncs Garforth, Efq; M. P. Mr. Wm. Gladwyn John Graham, Efq; Wm. Graham, Efq; Tho. Graham, Efq;; Tho. Garforth, Efq;' Counfdior at Law Mrs. Garforth Mr. G. Gregory Henry Hanfon, Efq; Daniel Hobfon, Efq,' 2 Wm. Hanfon, Efq; John Ha! ford, Efq; Rev. H. Hunter. D. D. Mr. Tho. Heyfham — Rich. Hcwit — Tho. Hodgfon • Hill, Efq; Counfcllor at Law — — Haywood, Efq; Counfellor at Law — Wm. Hall, 2 — Th. Hodges, Little Baddo Wm. Hayword, Efq; F. R. S. Jof. Ironmonger, Eiq; 4 Mr. R, Irwing Rev. And. Kippis, D. D. 4 Ja. Lowther, Efq; M. P. John Lfe, Efq; King's Counfel Edw. Law, Efq; Counfcllor at Law Mr. Wm. Lcwthwaite Samuel Mariiii, Efq; Coll. of Antigua John Myneer, Efq; Mr. Bcuj. Mills ■ — Wm. Norris, Surgeon John Nult, Efq; 2 Fr. Newton, Efq; Tho. Norman, Efq; Jo'ui Norman, Efq; ; M". Robert Norman Duke of Portland, 4 Rev. Rich. Price, D. D. 7 Edw. Price, Efq; Mr. P. PoUuck — Wm. Palmer — Nich. Pat rick fon Gilbert Rofs, Efq; Mr. James Robinfon — John Rofs Rev. Dr. Rofe, Chif|lck, 2 De A Ives Rebello Mr. Wm. Richardfon — John Ralph. M.D. . — Tho. Routledge Rev. Wm. Smith, Camberwell Mif? Moriah Smith Mr. Robert Simpfon John Smith, Efq; Arthur Shepherd, Efq; Mr. John Streltel, 2 John Scot, Efq; Counfellor at Law Mr. Tho. Stanton, 6 Shaw, Efq; Maiden Mr. Wm. Sorrel — John Smith' •« Mr, SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xiii Mrs. Yates Mil's Young Mr. Tho. Young — Robert Young COCKERMOUTH, '<^c. Lord Egrcmont, 2 Tho. Bcnion, Efq; L. D. Bak-ntync, Efq; Mr. John Atkinfon — Wm. Cumraings — Tho. Cotton Rev. Mr. Gilbanks Mr. Graham, Branthwaite — Geo. Langton — Robert Hadley — John Meals Miles Ponfonby, Efcj; Haile Wilfon Pearfon, Efq; Bridekirk Mrs. Ann Peele Mr. Jona. Ptele — John Rudd, Attorney ■ — Wm. Ramfay — John RIchardfon — Wm. Robfon — Jof. Steel, Attorney — John Shepherd - — Ifaac Sraithfon — W. Thompfon, B. — Jof. Thompfon — ^ A. Wife, Surgeon — Wadfworth, Attorney, Bran- thwaite s DURHAM, ^c. Mr. Geo. Appleby Mr. Geo. Beil, Houghton-le- fpring Rev. Dr. Chayter Rev. Mr. Cooper, Houghton- le-fpring Mr. Chrilt. Chapman, ditto Rev. Dr, Digby, Dean oi' Dur. ham ■ Rev.Dr.Dickcns,Archdeacon,do Ret. Mr, Ironfide, Houghton- le-fpring Mr. John Maughan, ditto John Nefham, Efq; ditto Rev. Dr. Ogle, Dean of Win- cheftcr Frarfon, Efq; Rev. Dr. Rotheram, Re£lor, Hourhton-le-fpring Mr. Tho. Robinfon, ditto John Starforlh, Efq; Mayor Rev. Mr. Viner Mr. Wm. Whinficld, Hough- ton-lc-Spring HALTWHISTLE, &^. Mr. George Arraftrong, Glen- ■whelt, 3 — Blenkinfop, Eortobcllo — Robert Batic, Hightowu — Robert Carlyle, Surgeoa — Wm. Carr — r- Alexander Doblnfon — Tho. Errington, Greenhead — Edw. HiiDtcr, Angerton — Jpho Harden — Jamci Haflirigs, Fellend — Chrift. Lowes — Mich. Lowes, Allan's Green — Chrift. Liddell, Woods-hall — Wm. Maxwell, Surgeon Rev. Mr. Nanny Rev. Mr. Smith Mr. John Smith, Hcnfhaw, — John Thompfon, ditta — J<>hn Vipont — Nicholad Wright, Tcmarj^ HEXHAM, ^c-. Rev. Mr. Bufoy Mr. Ifaac Butic — Wm. Bell — Mich. Bell xiv SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Rev. Mr. Clarke Rev. Mr. Carr, Allanhcads Mr. Mich. CHarkton, Brumley -— Tohn Chicken, Newbrough Rev, Mr. Adam Dean, Huddle- fceugh Mr. Dean Surgeon — John Donkin, Sandoe — T- Simon Dodd, Steel — R. Dickinfon • — Tiaac Earl, Ed.mundbyars, 2 — James Ellis. Attorney Rev. |ofeph Fell, Hayton-bridge Mr- John Gibfon Rev. Mr. Hall, Hayton-bridge Mr. Wm. Hiibbuck, ditto ■ — Tho. Hume ^— Wm. Harbottie, Alnwick Grange — John Hunter, Blackball . — jol. Pearion . — Robert Rumney • — John Robinfoa — Nith. Ruddock, Attorney — — Samuel Smith — Wm. ThompfoD, Faucet KENDAL, life, James Ainfley, M. D. 2 Mr. John Armftrong •■ — Thomas Crev?dfon John Dovekcr, Efc]; Mr, Fiavcl Ewan Gawthorp , Efq; Mr. Tho. Holmes Rev. Wm. Hutton, Vicar of Bcethom Rev. Jof. Lambert, A. M. — Jof. Ormillon Rev. Caleb Rotheram Mifs Rotheram — ' Rotheram, Lieut. Col. Portfmouth Mr. Tho. Ralph — John Ralph, RufTcndalc — Ifaac Steel Rev. Mr. Scholefield, Birming= ham Rev. Dr. Priefllcy, ditto Mr. John Thonipfon — John Thompfon, jun. — — — Thornthwaite — Chrift. Wilfon — Matthew Whitakcr — Wm. Wilkinfon Rev. Dr. Wren, D. D. KESWICK, £5"^. — Brownrig, M. D. Ormthwaitc Mr. Peter Crollhwaite Rev. Mr. John Chalmers Pvev. Mr. Denton, Crofthvvaitc Rev. Mr. Edmondfon A. Allifon, Efq; Bole Mr. Tho. Gilbanks — John Hodgfon — Wm. Jackfon — Tho. Norman, Surgeon Edw. Stephrnfon, Efq; Tho. Story, Efq; Mirehoufe, 2 Mr. John Walker Rich. Williamfon, Efq; Snitlle Garth LANCASTER, ll^c. Mr. John Aritifti-ODg — Wm. Anderfon — Tho. Addisforth • — John Backbane — Jof. Baxendale, Surgco* — Jof. Bell — John Bowes, Efq; — John Birket — [ohn Brockbank — Sam. Bradford Rev. Wm. Colton, Kirkby Matham Camp- SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xvm Mr. Jof. Spurrcl Rev. Tho. Dalton. B. D. Vicar of Carifbrook, Ifle of Wight Mr. North Mrs. North Matt. Towgooci, Efq; Banker Tho. Taylor,' Efq; Mr. John Thonipfon — John Townfend Jacob Wilkinfon, Efq; 4 Alex. Wilcock, Efq; T. Wylie, Efq; R. Wylle, Efq; Tho. White, M. D. G. Wood, Efq;CounfclloratLaw Mr. Tho. Workman — Jof. Wil!e», 3 — John Young MARY PORT, tsfc. Mr. James Andi-cws • — Wm. Blamirc, Surgeon — A. Biddlcftonc — Wm. Bonner — John Faucet — Harris — Inman — John Nelfon — John Potts — Ponrlce — ■ Richmond, Attorney Humphrey Scnhoufc, Efq; Ne- ther-hall Mrs, Senhoufe, ditto Mr. Shutc — Wilkinfon, Attorney NEWCASTLE, &c. Tho. Allan, Efq; Mrs. Allan — Atlie — Avifon Ed. Anderfon. Efq; J. Andrew, Efq; Scotch-houfe Mr. Henry Airey Mr. Jofhua Elder — Lancelot Atkinfon . — George Adams — George Allan — Robert Aughton — I'ho. Ansfus — Wm. Armfttong — Mich. Ainfley ' — - Caleb Angus — John Atkinfon George Baker, Efq; Mrs, Baker Mrs. Blackrsey Mifs Er. Blacket, Wylam John Eraf. Blacket, Efq; Chrift. Biacket, Efq; Cha. Brown, M- D. Rev. Hen. Blacket Rev. Rich. Baxter, A.M. Stamfo Rev. J. BarncI, Whickham Rev. Rob. Barnet, Yorkfliirc Richard Be!!, Efq; Mr. John Bell — James Bell — David Bell — John Bell, Land Surveyor — George Blaylock — J. Borfe, Hull — George Bruiiimel — Brummel, Surgeon — Ru'Jc! Brown — Tho. Brown — Ralph Brown — John Bedlington — Chrift. Bcdlington — Henry Barnet INIrs. Brodie Mr. Samuel Brewfter — Wm. Burn — Batty, Rippoh, 3 Mifs Grace CreffweU Sir Blackfton Conyers, Bart. 4 Rich. Chambers, Efq; Snow Clayton, Efq; Wm. Cramllngton, Efq; John Clark, M. D. c Rer, kviii SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. R.ev. M. Clayton Mr. Wm. Cowper — Robert Cram — J^mcs Caltoh — fho. C?rr — Gejrge Chapman — Win. Chr.tto — Henry C'.ithhertfon ■ — Coulthavd, Refiner — J. Crawford — Cha. Cbarleton — David Carr — - J. Chapman The. Davifon, Efq; Mrs. Davifon Edw. Dale, Efq; Mrs. Dale Mr. Lionel Dixon Mrs. Dixon Mr. John Dodgfon — John Dodds, Land Suryeyor — Doubleday — John Doughty Mrs. Dcwell Mr. Wm. Daviee Rev. i^lr. Earl Rev. John Eliifon ReT. Tho. Eliifon Mrs. Eliifon Mr. James Eafton — Tho. Englifii — Rich. Fiftcr — John Fryer — W:n. Fenton — Ricli.Fifh wreck *— John Farrer, Witton le Wear ^ Tho. Gibfon, Old Bank ■— Benj. Gibfon Mrs. Gibfon R. W. Grey, Efq; Backworth Mr. Tho. Gaul .-- Wm. Green, 2 — Wm. Green "— George Cirfen, Wallbottle - — Cuihbert Gretr.well = — Tho. Greenwcll — Tho. Grecn^rell, Whitton Caille — Jofhua Greenwell . — Robert Greenwood — John Gale — A.T. Grifiith — Tho. Guthrie — Ji>hn Grey — John Gates, juri. Rglph Heron, Efq; Mrs. Heron Mrs. Hutehlnfon Mils Hcnzell F. Hurry, Efq; Howdon Mr. Tho. Hurry, ditto Jafper Harrifon, Efq; Rev. Mr. Hefket, Denton Mr. James Hornygold — Solomon Hodgfon — Ridi. Hetheringtbn — John Huntington — Wm. Hamilton — John Hindmarfh — John Hunter — Fred. Horn, SurgeoH — Stewart, Attorney — Stephen Humble — Wm. Harvey — Wm. Harwood — Allgood Hunter — Tho. Houlter — Alexander Hopper — John Huntley — Tho. Hawdon Mrs. Jord?.n Fran. Johnfon, Ffq; George Johnfton, 2 — Wm. Ingham, Surgeon, 2 — Tho. Ifmay — Robert Jobling ^ Creff. Jobling — job Jamefon R. L. Kibblefworth, Efq; Ivlr. Rich. Kcenlyfide, Surgeon — John Kirlop — John Kirlop - , Mr. SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. ^x. Mr. Jof. King — Alex. Kinlock Sir G. Henry Liddell, Bart, a JLady Liddell, 2 Mrs. Linflcill Rev. Stephen LuHiington, Vicar Jof. Lamb, Efq; Tyne Bank, 4 John Lamb, Lfq; Windmills Robert Lifle, Efq; Ja. Tho. Lorrain, Efq; John Lowes, Efq; Ridley hall Rob. Lynn, Efq; Kibblefworth David Landell, Efq; Mr. George Lofli, 2 — Tho. Littlcfair, 2 — John Lcighton, Surgeon — Robert Leifliraan — Wm. Lloyd — Samuel Lariton . — George Liddell — Jof. Liddell — John Longridge - — Addifon Lnnghorn — Tho. Laybourn — Jof. Laybourn - — Wm. Lcavlfs — Wm. Loftus — Wm. Loftus, jun. Mifs Mary Lcarmouth Johu Marloy, Efq; Demftonc Henry Mitcalfc, jun. Efq; Mifs Midcalf . Mrs. Mi In Mr. John Morrifon, 2 — J^cob Maud — Wm Mofsman — J. Mofsman — Jacob Mills, Chymia — Tho. Maddifon — John Morrifon - — Nichoifon — John Naiili — Wm. Nixort Robert OrmUoii, Efq; Rev. Rich. Oiiphant ' Mr. Ord, Lumjey Francis Peacock, Efq ; Stephen Pemberton, M. D.. Mr. Pov.etl, Surgeon — Matt. Pringle — Wm. Patterfon — Geo. Pickering — Ralph Pickering — Win. Potter — Tho. Fiingle — N. Philipfon John Robertfdu, EAj; James Rudman, Efq;' Mr. John Robinfon — Robert Rubinfon — Tho. Robfon — Tho. Robfoii — Ed. Robfon — James Row — Wm. Row — ■ Gccrge Riles — S. Rutherford — Henry Richmond — Robert Rankin — Rich. K,ogerfon, Lieut. Lieut. Rotherdm, Royal Navy- Mr. John R^iJdlc, Bufhbladi — Ridley, Parkend — Aubone Surlecs, jun. Efqj — John Stoddart, M. Greenwich Mrs. Stoddart Rev. George Scurfield, A, M, Mr. Wi I. Story — John Seweli — Robert Stephenfon — Tbo. Saunderfon Mils Ski^lton Mr. Henry Smith — Chn. Smith — Tho. Simpfon — John Slack — Mr. Sorfby — AVm. Seymours — John Scafe — ■ Wm. Scot — Wm. Skeltoii — John Skelton — JoiJa. Sorlby c 2 Mr. XX SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. Tho. Simpfon • — Wm. Shoiter ■ — } ^avid Stcphcnfon • — Wm. Smith T. C. Turner, Efc|; Mrs. TlioirJiiiron Mif^s Thomliufon Rev, Mr. Wra. Turner, jiiii. 2 Rev. Mr. Thurp Mr. Tho. Taylor ' — Robert Taylor, Wallfend ■ — Tho. Taylor Mr. John Verty Rich. Wilkinfon, Efq; George Waldie, Efq; John Warfi, Efq; Wm. Wilkiafon, Efq; Rowland Webfter, Efq; Stockton Nicholas Walton, Efq; Fsrnacres N. Walton, jun. Efq; Rev. Mr. Wood, Fejlftone Mrs. White Mr. John Woodcock — Jof. Whitfield — Robert Wharton, Whlckham — Wm. Walfon " — Benj. Wood — Cxilfn'd Ward > — Robert Withcrington -— Robert Wright — Wm. Wilfon, Teams — Tho. Wood, Kellsfield — Dan. Wilfon, Salt-vvdl-fide — Ed. Wilfon, South Shields • — Walfli, Surgeon •^=^ Tho. W~alton — John Wightinan — Yieldcr, Efq; Mayor Mrs. Yielder Mr. Tho. Yellowley PENRITH, ^c. Chr. Aglionby, Efn; Nilnncry, 2 Ret. Wm. Armflrong Rev. James Broadfoot Bev. Mr, Blaii), Grayflock Mr. Batty, Kirby Lonfdale — john Buchanan — C. C. Cookfon, Efq; licw Mr. Cowper Mr. Tho. Clark — Hfnry Dixon Licnel Wriclit Fletcher, Efq; Hutton Hall, 2 Tim. Fealhcrllonhaugh, Efq; Kirkofwaid Rev. Wm. Grattan Mifs Grainger, Melmerby Mifs Jenr.yGiainger, ditto Mr. Graham, Hornby ■ — Edw. Graves, Attorney Williams Kaflel, Efq; Dalmain Mr. Harrifon, Surgeon — Henderfon, Shap Rev. Mr. Jackfon, Moreland Mr. John Jamcfon — Wm. Benj. Jamefon — Benj. Jamefon — Tho, James Rev. Wm. Lowthcr, D. D. Rev. Mr. Lewthwaitc, Hutton Mr, Tho. Monkhoufe — Nicholfon, Attorn. Appleby •»— Robert Orr Tho. Pattlnfon, Efq; Melmerby Rev. Mr. Paxton, Parkhcad - ■' • ■ Richardfcn, Efq; Mifs Richardfor. ■Mr. George R.alph — Rich. Story, Surgeon — John Sandcrfon — Ed. Setree, Appleby Rev. John Tvs'ccdie Mr. Williams, Adj. J. O. Yates, Efq; Skirwith Abbey Mr. Robert Yarker, Lowthcr SHEFFIELD, ^'c. Brown, M. D. ! , John Booth, Efq; Brufnoufe Rev. SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. XXI Rev. Mr. Dixon, EcclesfielJ If'ran. Fenton, Elq; Mr. Wm. Ploylc, Attornt-y '■ — John Kent, Hooton Roberts Jof. Matlicwmau, Efq; Mr. Outrnm, rklfrctdii, Derhyfli. J.)hn Parker, Elq; Woodthorp Ed. Prince, Efq; Ewes Tho. Rawfon, Efq; Ward fend Tho. Slead, Efq; Hililburough Mr. Sambourne, Attorney Ja. Wheat, Efq; Norwood-hall SHIELDS, ^c. Mr. John Armftrongj Surgeon — Richard Armftrong — Nicholas Armftrong — Nichol'!^ Arm'ilrong, jun. — Thomas Carr — Wm. Chirk — James Crichton, Sunderland — Sam. Caudell — Tho. Frank, fen. — Wm. Fletchrr Edw. Hall, Efq; Whitby Kenry Hudfon, Efq; ditto Mr. Hopton, Sunderland — Samuel Hurry — Keflop — Ad. Hall — Tho. Kirby Wm. Linfldll, Efq; Jacob Maud, Efq; Sunderland Mr. Wm. Parker > — David Rat, 2 Mr. John Rippon — Walter Rae, Sunderland Rev. George Smith, 2 Mr. Patrick Watfoa — Mark Willings ■— Sam. Weft WHITEHAVEN, ^c. Mr. John Addifon, jun. Parton — Nicholas Afh — Wm. Aflibum — Bcnj. Antrobus — John Beck — Robert Blakcney — John Buckham — Robert Baldridgc — Abraham BrougU Rev. C. C. Church Mrs. Collier Mr. Robert Carter John Dixon, Efq; Jolluia Dixon, M. D. R. Dixon, M. D. Mr. Peter Dixon — Ralph Elliot — Robert Fifher Mrs. Fletcher Mr. J. Forfter — Robert Fergufon — H. Fleming Mrs. Gray burn — Peter Gale — Andrew Green — ; Jof. Grainger • — Wm. Graham, Dean — John Grindal Pvcv. Wilfrid Huddleftone Tho. Plartlcy, Efq; John Hartley, Efq; Jof. Hofkins, Efq; P. J. Keywood, Efq; 2 Robert Hey wood, Efq; Douglafs Mr. John Huddlefton '^ — Piuddlcilon — John Hamilton, Surgeon Mr. Harris, Surgeon — Tho. Harrifon — Peter Hudfon — .Holmes — Wm. Hale E. L. Irtou, Efq; Irton-hali John Jackfon, Efq; Catgill Mr. Dan. Jackfon — Wm. J. J. Ritlon Mr. John Riimney — John Routlcdgc Rev. R. Scot, A. M. St. Bee» Kumphrey Senhoufc, Efq; Jijf. Seohobfe, Efq; James Sotdding, Efq; G. Euw. Stanley, Efq; Ponfonby Rev. Mr. i^'dgewifke Mr. Tho. Spence . — Joba Serjeant — John Sin^pfon — Wm. Siinpfon Andicw Spittal — Alex. Spittal .— John Smithfon Fr. Troiighton . — John Tyioa Rich. Wordfworth, Efq; Mr. John Walker , — John Walker MeffrB Ware & Son Mrs. Tho- Wilfon »— Jot'. Wilfon .— Peter Youager, Attorney WIGTON, isfc, Mr. David Aiulerfop, Eownefs — John Atkitifon, Dockiay Sir John Brifco, Bart. Croftoa, 4 Lady Brifco, 2 • Rev. Mr. Brifco, Orton Mr.Ofmoih. Barwifei Abbey H. — James Barwife, diltu — W;ti. Brownfword, Attorney — Wm. Blennerhaffet — Chrifi. Borradale — Bt""j- Bell., Surgeon — Tho. Bowman, Surgeon — George Barnes. Bromfield — Jof. Barnes, Walton — Budiby, Torpenhovv Rev. Mr. Clark Mr. Geo. Clark, Crofton — Robert Clark, Sebergham — Tho. Cowan, Applegarth Tho. Denton, Efq; Warnel Rev. Mr. Ifnac Denton Mrs. Dawfon, Helket Mr. John Dalton — George Dalton, OughtOB — John Dand, Mains — John Daiid, Churchill Sir Henrv Fletcher, Bart. Cba- hall, M. P. 2 Mr. Jeffrey Faider, Wood — Tho. Gibfon, Thurfby Mr. John Graham, Crofton Rev. Mr. Kodgfon, Afpatria Rev. Mr. Halifax Rev. Mr. I-i'arrifan, Bownefs Mr. Robert Kodgfon — James Burton — Jof. Hev «r, Scberghaav — Tho. Mowe, ditto — John licwc, Thurfby > — John Holmes, ditto ■ — Tho. Holmes — Lahcel'.t Hoggart Rev. :.;r. Jetferfon, Caldbecl^ . Mr. Robert Jolinllon Mi:. SUBSCRIBERS NAMES, xxlii Mr. Ji^hn Ifmay, Thurfijy Sir Gilfr. Lawfon, Bart. BraytOQ Wilfrid Lawfon, Efq; Mr. Henry Lowes, Attorney — Ifaac Lowthian, Sebergham John Matthews, Efq; Rev. Mr. Marrs, Mungrlfdale Mr. John Potts, Brayton — Mrs. Rclph Tho. Relph, Efq; Rclph, M. D. London Mr. Simon Relph, Sowerby Rev. Mr. Richardfon, Bromflcld Rev. Nich. Robinfon, Thurfby Mr. John Robinlon — John Robinfon, Kirkland — Tho* Robinfon, Bowncfa •— Ifaac Robfon, Grafsgarth , — Th. Rigg, Surgeon, Afpatria — Railton, Caldbeck — Jof. Richardfon, Sebergham — G. Roper, Leavillccoats — Cha. Ray •Rev. John Stubbs, Sebergham Mr. John Simpfon, ditto — John Stalker, ditto — - Rich. Simpfon, Caldbeck -— - Sanderfon, Caftle Sowerby — Stoddart, ditto — Jere. Skclton, Brownrigg — John Studholm, Thurfby Rev. Mr. Thompfon, Raughton Mr. Wm. Taylor, Sebergham Rev.Mr.Wilmot, A.M. Caldbeck Rev. Mr. Waite, Brayton Mr. Tho. Watfon, Bog — Lancelot Walker, Surgeon — Geo. Williamfon, Whinnow »— Ambr. Wilfon, Weaverton — Tho. Wilkinfon, Thurfby WORKINGTON, &c. Rev. W. v. Addifon Mr3. Adderton, Harrington Mif» Adderton, ditto Rev. Mr. Atkinfon, DIflingtoa Mr. Jof. Bacon, Harrington — Benj. Bacon, ditto John Chriftian, Efq; Working- ton-hall, 4 Mr. Tho. Collins . — Wm. Colline — Wm. Craig — Ed. Craig — Abraham Coulthard — Jfaac Crcfby — B. Crollhwaite, Harrington — Ifaac Crofby — Dan. Dickinfon — Wm. Eckford — John Ellwood — John Hodgfon, 3 — John Head — John Hewitfon — • John Hudfon — Wm. Jackfon — JoC Jackfon, Harrington — John Keay, ditto Miftt Sarah Lowthian Mr. John Langcake — James Lawfon — John Lawfon Mr. Wm Little, Harrington — M'Gaa — Robert Martindalc — James McfTcnger, Harrington — Fletcher Peclc — John Peele — Rumney, 2 — Matt. RufTel Edw. Stanley, Efq; — John Scot — John Selkirk — Tho. Simpfon — Jer. Smith — Henry Tickell — John Tho'npfon — Jer. Tlionipfon — Chr. Thompfon, Harrington — Mufgravc Walker Mr: Xxiv SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. Wm. Watts i Mrs. Watts i Mr. Martin Weftray — Jof. Wiifon Rev .Jof. Winder SCOTLAND. EDINBURGH, cffc. Dake dt Athol Edw. Arraftronp^, Efq; Advoc^.tc Alex. Ailiioii, Writer to the Sig. Wm. Armftrong, iiQllandhini David Bonnet, Efq; Butterworth T. Bruce, Efq; Advocate, Arnot kev. Tho. Blacklock, D. D. John Bufhby, Writer, Dumfries Wra. Cullen, Med. P. P. John Cair.pbel, Efq; Wm. CarJyle, Efq: Advocate Robert Corbet, Eiq;- ditto John Clark, Efq; F." R. S. Eldcn ' J. Clark, jun. Writer, Dumfries Rev. John Craig, Ruthvvell Mr. Robert Craig, Writer . — Wm. Coupr.r . — J. Clemifon, Murray whaitcM Robert Dalziel, Efq; Advocate Benj. Dunbar, Efq; Hempriggs Rev. Mr. John Dov>-ei Methven Rev. Mr. Jac. Dixon, Ivloufewald Mr. Dixon, Hawick — ' J. Dixon, Writer to the Sig. ■ — J. Elliot, M.D. Cleughheacis John Elliot, Efq; V/hitehaugh Mr. Henry Elliot, Fht — Wm. Elliot, Dinlaw — John Elliot, Tweeflihopc — Tho. Elliot, ditto — Walt. Elliot, Miilbournhome — John Elliot, Park — Tho. Elliot, Redheugh — Geo. Farquhar, Writer *■ -- Frafer, H. Sch. ■7— Alex. Frafer, Teachnbch J. Grant, Efq; Latheromfiiield Wm., Graham, Efqi Mofsknovf Rober: Graham, Efq; Fiptray Mr. J. Graham, Writer, Dumfries Mr.T. Gricrfou, Writer tothc Sig. Mr. John Ga.rven, Slethet Re\'. Tho. Hardy R. Kei^derfcr., Efq; Cleughheads Rev. 'i'ho. Henderion, Lcckcrby John Horn, Efq; Blyth Mr. Ja. Horn, Vv''riter~to the Sig. Jarr.ts Hunter, M. D- Mr. John Hall, Foiirloans — Gilbert Jardia, Dinlawbyre — James Johnllon, Archbank Rev. Mr. J. Kcane4y, Terrcgles Mr. James Kennedy, Surgeon, Lockcrby Mr. J. Lait, j un. Writer to the Sig. John Murray, Efq; Murraywliaite Mr. Al. Murray .jun. MurrayfieUl — Wm. Nichol, H. School, 5 — V/m. Nichol, Side — John Oliver, Liddefdale Dav. Ramfay, Efq; Excife Office Mr. Donald Robinfon — James Robfon, Haudouburn Wm. Sharp, Efq; Hartfgarth Mr. James Sibbald, 3 Rev. Mr. T. Smith, Cummertrees Mr. Andrew Smith — Fr. Short, V/ritcr, Dumfries — Nicholas Shaw, ditto Mrs. Scot, Forge Mr. James Scot, Brulriefhaw . — John Scot, Hopefrigg — Walter Scot, Dyenaw — Fran. Scoon, Whitlyfide — John Stoddart, Langholm B. Williamfon, Efq; Bannifldrk Mr. Kirkpatrick Williamfon, Writer to the Signet — H. J. Wylie. ditto 1 — Wier, Surgeon, Cannnby — Alexander Young, Writer t© the Signet ]ts bcpcd fbcfollozvln^ Subfcribcrs will excufe the omiffion of their Names in their proper places , oivi7ig to the hajie in printing off the foregoing lijL Earl of Gal'toway, Scotland, 2 Edw. Knublcy, Efq; Wi'gton, H. S. of Cumberland Rev. Mr. Adderton, Harrington Mr. The. Carrick, Wardrew Tho. Burrcugh, Efq; Brampton Hunt Walfli, Efq; ditto Mr. Tho. Hetherington, ditto Mr. Wm. Bnimmel, Carlifle John Dockray, Efq; ditto Mr. Benj. Bowfer, ditto Mr. John Gill, ditto Mr. Tho. Dixon, Keeper of his Majelly's Jail Mr. John Johnfton, Carlifle Edw. Ntvifon, Efq; ditto Mr. John Norman, Bow John Norman, jnn. ditto Tho. Norman, Carlifle Jof. Robinfon, ditto John Robfon, ditto John Robfon, Aglionby Mifs Jane Rofs, Carli'fle Mr. Tho. Williamfon, Thur/by Mr Mr Mr Mr, Mr *;^* The Author takes this opportunity of acquainting In's Erlends, that he has been favoured with a greater number of Sub- fcribcrs than can be fupplied with copies from his prefent edition, ht therefore intends to publifli a fccond ; and with Jljat view, will deliver out propofals as foon as convenience will permit. LECTURE I. JOB xxxviil. 4. Where zvaji thou wheii I laid the foundations of ih.e earth f Declare if thou haji underftanding. I HHE Book of Job carries on the face of ir, fuch ftriking marks of remote antlquitr, that Jews and Chriflians hi general, have looked upon it as the oldeft compolltion in the world. As a proof that it was written before thf^ giving of the law from Mount Sinai, we do rtot: find in it, one allufion to any rite or ceremony oi: the Mofaic inftitution : neither does it mention any thing relating to the pollerity of Jacob j their fojourning in Egypt j their paflage through the Red Sea, or their peregrinations hi the Wildernefs ; tho' it frequently in;:roduces fmgular and extraordinary a6;s of Divine providence. It's language is bol4 and nervous, and decorated with all the imagery of Ealfern eloquence ; and it abounds with de- fcriptions of the majefly and power of Almighty God, which are truly c^nimated and fublime. This l^ook acquaints us with feveral memorable 3 tran* 1 On the Book of Job. Lect.I. iranfa6lIons, not recorded by any other writer under the Old Teftamcnt. It tells us, that before the formation of this globe, there were ftars in the firmament and angels in Heaven.* Where waji thou when I laid the foundations of the earth, when the morning Jiars fang together , and all the fons of God fhouted for joy f It fpeaks of the apoftacy of angelic hofts.f Behold he put no tru/i in his fer^ 'vants, and his angels he charged with folly > And it gives us a record of fomething which God fpoke to Adam, which is not to be met with elfewhere. And unto ?}ian, or to Ada?n he faid. \ Behold the fear of the Lord is wifdom, and to depart from evil is underjlanding. Who was the father of Job, and at what pre- cife period of the world he flouriflied, we are no where told ; but the name of the country where he dwelt, and the dcfignations of his friends, befpeak him a defccndent of Iflimael or Efau ; and the length of his age, which was above twp hundred years, is a proof that he lived in the days of the patriarchs, before the life of man was reduced to its ihortefl: meafure. Some draw an argument for Job*s living in an early period, from the clear and perfpicucus manner, in which he delivers the leading doftrines of that religion, which God was pleafed to communicate to the * Cij. Xjxviii. 4. 7. t Ch. iv. 18. % Ch. xXviii. 28. iirft "Lect.!. On the Book of Job. 3 firfl: of the human race, and which doubtlefs, like the religion of his own fon, was, in procefs of time, corrupted by the doctrines and opinions of men. Thus, he defcribes death as a ftate of obli- vion and reft ; as * his lying down in the dujl^ and mt awaking till the Heavens be no more : and he declares his hopes of a happy rcfurredion thro' a Redeemer, in clearer terms than any other writer, before life and immortality were brought to light, f / knoWi f^ys he, that my Redeemer liveth, and that he JJmll Jiand at the latter day upon the earthy and tho' after my fkin^ worms deftroy this bodyy yet in my fcjlj Jhall I fee God, Some writers, affeding Angularity of opinion, have adduced fpecious arguments, to prove that Job is a fiftitious eharader, and that the whole of his hiftory, is nothing but an allegorical defcription of the vexatious treatment, which the Jews received from their malevolent neighbours, after they returned from Babylon, and begaji to rebuild their city and temple {. But we have no lefs authority than that of God. himfelf, to con- vince us that Job was a real man ; for he ranks him with two other eminent perfonages, and fays. § 'Tho' Ncahj Job, and Daniel were in that city, they fhould deliver but their own fouls by their ♦ Chap. xlv. 12. f Ch. xlx. 25. ± Warburt. Dir. Legat. $ Ezek. xiv. 14. B 2 . ^^^^Ji' 4 tin ihe Bodk of Job. Lect.L rightCQufnefs^ faith the Lord, And had not the Apoftle James, believed him to haVe had a real cxiftence, he never would haCve recommended him as a pattern to other men. * Te have heard, fays he, cf the patience of Job. There have been various opinions among learned men, about the writer of this book. Some have afcribed it to Elihu ; fome to So- Joraon, and others to the Men of Hezekiah. But it appears to me highly probable, that Job ieft behind him fome memoirs of his own life written by himfelf ; and that Mofes meeting with thefe in the land of Midian, feledled the mod remarkable pafl'ages, and after digefting them into a book, embellilhed the whole with a poetic ftile and fcenical drefs. He would look upon this hiftory, as very applicable to the diftrefled condi- tion of his own countrymen, and after returning into Egypt, would frequently read it to them, to confole .them under their afflidions, and give them the hopes of a happy deliverance from their thral- dom. But may it not be faid, if Job at one time fpcaks of a refurredioh in fuch a clear manner, why does he not more frequently introduce this dodlrine, and dwell upon it with pleafure, as the befl and fiireft confolation to good men, under all the * Ja. V. ii. miferies Lect.L On the JDoo^ ^f Jot' 5 miferics of human life ? And if Mofes was the writer of this book, why does he in his other writings, overlook a future ftate, and not make it the great fandion of thofe Laws which he gave to the HVaelites? But 1 would obferve that a refur- recllon and future ijnmortality are often mention- ed by Job, tho' in phrafes peculiar to the language and period ia which that book was written*. And doubtlcfs there v/ere wife and fufficient rea- forts, why Mofes did not infert the doftrine of a future ftate, into liis fyftem of legiflation. Per- haps, the minds of his countrymen, being yet rude and untutored, were not able to look up to the invifiblc and fpiritual objecls of religion, fo as to be awed to obedience by them : and a doc- trine, which made them forego the concerns of this world for the rewards of another, was not fuited to that ccconomy, of which, under God, he was the miniRer and conduder. But tho* the law of Mofes was fenced with temporal promifes and threatenings alone, and a^s an apoftle remarks, was f added beuiufc of iranfgrcjfions, yet this could never preclude the Ifrachtes, from any of thofe blelTmgs, which were to be accompliftied by the feed of the woman, and which were included in that covenant, made with their father Abraham. ^ Sec Peter's Crit. Defcrt. on Job. ]- Gal. iii. 19. Several ^ On the Book of Genefis. Lect.L Several reafons may be afTigned, which make it very probable, that Mofes during his exile, which lafted forty years, not only wrote the hiflory oi ■Job,' but hke wife the book of Genefis. We are told that Jethro, prieft of Midian, gave him his daughter in marriage, and like- wife appointed him keeper of his herds and Oocks*. This would make his circumftances in life, eafy and comfortable. And, as the nature of his employment afforded him time and leifure, we may take for granted, that a man already learned in all the wijdom of Egypt ^ would not llacken his purfuit after knowledge, but would profecute fuch ftudies as fuited his genius and inclination. The works which he left behind him, indicate the fuperiority of his talents for hiftorical compofition. When we refleft then, upon his ardent and in- flexible love to his countrymen, which proved the occafion of his banifliment, need we wonder to find l^m employed, in writing the hiftory of his ancellors, and tracing them up to their vefy origin. His fituation in Midian, might afford him mate- dais for a work of this kind, which he could not fo readily procure clfewhere. The people among whom he lived, were the defcendents of Abraham, on whom his Maker beftowed this encomium. I 7 k7tow hi?!!, that he will command his children, * Exod. iii. I. f Gen. xviii. 19. and Lect.I. On the Book of Genejis. y and his houfehold after him, and they Jhall keep the ivay of the Lord, Now, tho' Midian the father of the Midianites, was the fon of Abraham by his wife Keturah, yet, we have no reafon to fuppofe that he would not have as religious an education as Ifaac the fon of Sarah, and heir of the promifc. Befides, it appears from hiflory, that the other branches of Abraham's family, were for many- generations a flouriihing people, (and at this time one of them was priefl and probably prince of Midian) while the pofterity of Jacob were reduced to a cruel and ignominious bondage in the land of Egypt. Such an abject ftate for a long period of years, would naturally deprcfs their minds ; render them infenfible of any liberal accomplillimcnt ; and wean their attention from every other circum- ftance, but how to earn their bread, and avoid the frowns of their unfeeling talk-mafters. Thus, it is not to be fuppofed, that Mofes could collect among his own countrymen many ufeful memoirs of antient times. But living with his father in law, who afterwards gave a fpecimen of hi$ great fagacity and judgment*, and who being a pried muft have had befide him all the flock of knowledge to be found in that part of the world, he would derive great affiftance from him, * See JcthrQ's advice tp Mgfes, ExQd. xviii'. 1 7. in 8 On the Book of Gcnefts. Lect.L in compiling a \vork, perhaps equally agreeable to both. Bvit now, a ftrong objedion occurs, viz. fup- pofing Mofes capable of writing part of the book of Genefis, yet how could he write the hiilorv of the Creation, before there was a man to ice this work, and tranfmit an account of it to pofterity ? Does not the Almighty in the very text challenge the whole of the human race to tell the time when, or the manner how, this ftupenduous work was executed, when he fays, Where wafc thou when I laid the foundations of the earth ? Declare if thou hafl underfianding, I readily allow, that no man could ever have attained to the knowledge of this, but by a particular revelation from Heaven. But, that fuch a revelation was made to Adam will appear probable from the following confiderations. We muft affirm, that man at firft was either created with intuitive knowledge, like the angels of God, (tho' this is incompatible with humanity) or that his Maker taught him what was necelTary for his welfare and fubfiftence. He had as yet no experience of the nature and qualities of herbs or fruit of any kint;!, nor how any of thefe fuited his conftitution, fo that it was impoihble for him to diftinguifh betwixt falutary food and deadly poifon. But, that man the image of his Maker, and fuperior of this lowe^ world, fliould be lefc bv LeCT.I. On the Book of Gcmfis. ij by his Creator in fuch a deftitute condition, as t6 have his exiftence indangcred every moment of his life, is not only unworthy of, but repugnant to the charader of that Being, * who is good unto «//, and ivhcfe tender mercies are over all his works. But Mofes confirms the fuggeRions of reafon^ and withal, gives a convincing proof of his vera- city, when he defcribes in fuch a natural man- ner, how the ALmighry treated our firfl: parents^ lipon his fending them into life. He tells us, that when God made them a grant of every tree in paradife for food, he prohibited theni under the mofl awful fandion, from tailing fhe fruit of the tree of knowledge^ becaufe it would not only be prejudicial to their health, but even fatal to their lives. When we find then, that the gracious parent of all, /hewed fuch tender concern for the bodies of his frail offspring, can we fuppofe that he would with- hold from them, the knowledge of fuch truths, as might improve their minds in piety and virtue, and conduce to their prefent and future happinefs? But nothing could fo effedually contribute to this end, and give them fuch deep and lafttng imprefTions of the wifdom, power, and unity of the true God, as making them acquainted with the way and * Pf. Gxlv, 9. G man- J a On Tradition. Le'cT. L manner in which they and every other creature were brought into life and being. None, I pre- fume, will deny, that God could reveal fuch fafts to man, and there is the highefl probability that he did reveal them. Taking it then for granted, that fuch a revelation was made to the firft of the human race, I Ihall endeavour to prove, that the hiftory of it, might have been handed down frortv Adam to Mofes, free from fabulous and legendary additions, with which every difpenfation of reli- gion has hitherto been corrupted. The all-wife Creator hath implanted in human nature certain principles, which excite in all men a curiofity to be informed concerning the affairs of others, and a propenfity to communicate the knowledge of their own. Were we not fo confti- tuted, we fhould know nothing, but what falls within the reach of our fenfes, and in this refpedt differ but little from the groveling creation : but led by this univerfal inftinft, men have invented various methods, of communicating to their co- temporaries, and tranfmitting to pofterity, the knowledge of fudi fads as was likely to contri- bute to their pleafure and profit. The firft, and for a confiderable time the only mode of con- veyance, was oral tradition ; which, between the creatk>n and deluge muft have been more certain, and lefs liable tg \k corrupted thaa after- wards Lie T.I. On Tradition. II wards, on account of the longevity, or great length of life at which men arrived during that period. One man, viz. MethuJefah converfed with Adam and with Noah, and this included a fpace of time, not lefs than fixteen hundred and fifty-fix years. After the flood, the life of mai> was curtailed, but not to fuch a degree, as to pre- vent tradition pafling thro' very few hands from Noah to Mofes. Shem, the fon of that pa- triarch, lived a confiderable time after the birth of Abraham j v/ho was, during fifteen years, cotemporary with his grandfon Jacob. Jacob's fon Levi, was grandfather to Amram the father of Mofes; and thefe three might have converfed together. Thus it appears, that no more than feven perfons were neceifary, to deliver the hiftory of the creation and fall from Adam to Mofes. In every country, where there is little intcr- courfe among men, and where the obje£ls of their knowledge and attention are but few, tradition is better preferved than elfewhere. And thjs was the cafe with the inhabitants of the early world. For a confiderable time after the creation, they had little to think of, or talk about, but the tranfa^ions of their father Adam, and tho£s extraordinary communications of light and knov/- ledge which his Maker imparted to him. Every fabUath when they met together for folemn and C Q, focial 12 On Tradilisn, Lect.L focial worfliip; every facrifice which they offered 5 and every a6l of religion which they performed, would bring to their remembrance, the grounds and reafons of thefe folemnities ; in fo much that tradition and religion would be intimately con- ncded together, and mutually fupport each other. We may likewifc obferve, that if their mental powers, bore any pro^^ortion to the fize and ftrengt^i of their bodies, their memories would be clear and ftrong, and what they had once learned they would not eafily forget. Tradition mud have been preferved with the greateft fidehty, during the life of Adam, which was nine hundred and thirty years ; becaufe his chil- dren, whenever they were at a lofs for information, might always have recourfe to him, as a venerable and authentic record. And if it be true (as many learned men believe) that the antient patriarchs |ind heads of families defcended from Seth, were endowed with a prophetic fpirit, their piety and natural affection would prompt them to dilTemi- natc among the tribes over which they prefidedj the religion and hiftory of their forefathers ; and they would cautioufly guard againft every inno- vation, by which their wicked and profligate neighbours, might endeavour to pervert or de- prave either the one or the other. Tra-* 3Lect. I. On Tradition, 13 Tradition would alfo be rendered more perma- nent, and be more cafily handed down to pofterity from its early and ufual drefs, I mean that of poetry and mufic. The power of mufic is felt among the rudefl and mod barbarous nations of the world ; and the few records which they have, are only to be met with in their hiflorical fongs. Mofes has preferved one of thefe, which was fung by the Canaanites, on the vidory of King Sihon over the Children of Moab*, and perhaps it is the oldeft fong extant. He himfelf compofed many fuch on particular occafions, and injoined the Ifraelitcs to get them by heart, and rehearfe them. The repeating of heroic and martial fongs was fo fuited to the taftc of former times, that it became an bo- ncJurable and profitable employment; and an order of men, fele£led for the exceiiency of their memory ^nd voice, were retained by thofc of the highcft rank, to compofe odes or fongs, to foothe their pride and flatter their vanityf. They fung thefc to the harp and other mufical inftruments at their feftivals and pubhc affemblies J. \Vc are in- formed, that there were fome employed in the Temple worfhip, faid to be cwtning in the fang's of the Lord%, It was ufual alfo at the funeral * Numb. xj^i. 27. f Called In tlifs I'fland Bards or Minftrcls. % See Introduaion to the RdJcj of Ancient fpetry. j i Chron. xxv. 7. . pro- 14 On tradition. Lect. I, proceffions of the great, to retain a number of wa- men, as having more plaintive voices, to fing mournful dirges ; who, by wailing and lamen- tation, excited grief on the one hand, and on the othery by their compofitions, offered incenfe to the memory of the departed hero. This was an antient cuftom, and is mentioned by Job*. And the Prophet Jeremiah, forefeeing the great {laughter which would be made among his coun- trymen, defires them to prepare the mourning ivomen\. ■ But men finding that facls built on memory alone, were like ftreams of water, apt to be tinc- tured with the different foils thro* which they paffed, would foon find out other expedients to afiift and relieve their memories. The firfl: and fimpleil of thefe, as appears from facred hiftory, were pillars j altars ; groves ; great heaps of iloncs ; giving names to places defcriptlve of the > events which happened in them ; and inftituting folemn aflemblies, at each of which the occafion of the inftitution would be recited. But all thefe would be fo far imperfecl, that no fa6ls could be learned from them, without information about their origin and intention. Therefore men would endeavour to improve their former inventions, and think of fome mode of conveying hlftorica! •* Job Hi. 8. t J"'« ix. 17. kncgr- Legt.I. On Tradiiiori^ tj knowledge which required no explanation* This could only be done by marks or colours. But however rude and fimple the firft attempt to delineate fafts might be, it gave rife to a moll valuable art, I mean that of writing, which under the providence of God, has proved the chief means of introducing into the world, religion, fcicnce, and civilization. It is generally agreed, that the firft mode of writing, taking that word in its utmoft extent, was painting, or defigning material objeds with colours*. This pra£tice is ftill kept up, by the greateft part of uncivilized nations : which fhews us, that nature fpeaks with a uniform voice to the grofs capacities of menf. In proccfs of time, the art of pifture writing would be rendered mo.rc cxpreflive, by the addition of marks or fi^gns, "When the meaning of thefe were known and efta- bUfhed by common confent, this would form a fymbolical language, fuch as we ufe, when wc converfe with dumb pcrfons. Symbols or hiero- glyphics were long retained in writing, after aa alphabet was known, efpecially by the priefts of Egypt, to throw a veil over their doctrines, and. * Gogust's Origin, &c. •}* When the Spaniards firft arnve,d in Mexico, tile inha- bitants of the fea coafts, apprized their Emperor Montezuma of their lajiding, by fending him a large cloth, on which they had depi6l«d every thing wliich thcv bad feea. 16 On Traditm, Lc£T. L give them a myfteflous air. The prophets under the Old, and fome of the apoftles under the New Tcftament have adopted this flile ; for which rea- fon, none can underfland their writings, without firft learning to know the meaning of their diffe- rent figns and fymbols. The art of writing, never arrived at any degree ©f perfedion, till an alphabet, and the ufe of let- ters were invented. At what period of the world this happened, or who was the man to whom fo- ciety is fo much indebted for the invention, re- mains, and probably will for ever remain, a fe- cret. But to delineate not only material objeds, but even thoughts, words, and adions, fo as to make them vifible to the eye, is a wonderful art indeed j in fo much, that many learned men, have not hefitated to pronounce it above all human capacity ; and therefore have afcribed its origin to a particular revelation from God. Some think that this art was fuggefled to Moles, when he was in exile, to divert his attention from thofe melancholy refic£tions, which, it is natural to fup- pofe he felt, on account of his long abfence from his relations and countrymen. Others have en- deavoured to prove with very plaufible arguments, that Mofcs was taught the knowledge of letters by Godj when he was with him forty days on Mount 'Lectt.!. On Traditihn, iy Mount Sinai, and there received thC two taiblei of ftonc*. The firft materials men made ufe of, oil which to delineate their charaders, were rocksj jjillars, bricks, and fuch like. Afterwards they introduced things of a t>ortable nature, fuch as thin plates df lead, brafs, ivory, and wood fmeared over with wax. To thcfc fuccecded the fldns of Iheep and goats prepared for the purpofe j then the inner bark of trees, and tHc'leaves of a rufll called papyrus. At lafl: the belt and mod conve- nient of all materials was found out, I mean paperp fuch as is now tommonly made ufe of. The in- ftruments employed for writing, have likewife undergone many changes, from the pencil and the engraving iron to the feather of a bird. Thus I have endeavoured to trace tiie various methods, by which the knowledge of fafts, mighty in the early world, have been handed down thro' a feries of many ages ; with a view to fhew the poffibility of Mofes being able to write the oldc'ft part of his hiftory, without his receiving any fupcrnatural revelation from God. Yet I aiii far, from even infmuating that this was the cafr. On the contrary, when we attentively per ufe his Writings, nothing biit prejudice ca(n prevent us * Sec Winde;-'* Hift. of Koovrl. Vd. II. D fron? ig On the Veracity of Mofes. LectJ. from finding in them, the cleareft and moft con- vincing proofs of Divine infpiration, qualifying him to act, not only m the capacity of a law- giver, but likcwife of an hiftorian. The fuperio- lity of Mofes over every other writer of anti- quity, may be evinced from the following argu- ments, I. The oldefl and moft celebrated writers among the heathens, have acknowledged, that thtrc was a time prior to the commencement of hiftory 5 when all was involved in obfcurity and darknefs j and they allow, that their firft and earlieft rela- tions of things, were borrowed from vague tradi- tions, and unauthenticated records. But the hif- tory of Mofes is coeval with time itfelf. His account of the formation of this globe, and of every thing therein^ is apparently as clear and diftind, as that of the deluge, or the deftrudion of Sodom and Gomorrah^ when there were men to behold, and record thef(? events. He is never at a lofs for information. His narrations arc as perfpicuous, as tf h.e had been adually prefent at every tranfadion which he relates. He quotas no human authority, but deUvers his fentimcnts, like a man confcious to himfelf, that wha| he fpokc was true. a. There is a greater harmony and confiflency ift tUo works of Mofe»> than in aiiy othet an- ticnt LtfcT. I. On tie Veracity of Mofes icj ticnt writer. Tho' the fubje£ts on which he ta-tfats are various, and many of the charadcts which he introduces are fmgular and uncommon, yet the whole of his hiftory, appears like one imi- form detail of faSs, not one of which is contra-? didory to, or incompatible with another. And throughout the whole, he never lofes fight ot his great and leading objeiSl, viz. the difplay of the pow«r and wifdom of the great Creator; the danger of tranfgrcfTmg his laws, and the happy confequences of yielding obedience to his autho- rity. 3. Mofes is not more diftinguifiied from other hiftorians, by the fabjefls on which he treats, than by his manner of handling them j I mean that accuracy and prccifion for which he (lands unrivaled. Tho* his writings are univerfally al- lowed to be the oldeft in the world, yet his firft effays approach towards perfedion, and fcrve as a pattern of correct and judicious compofition. Who but Mofes could have written the hi (lory of two thoufand years in a few fliort chapters, and made it one uninterrupted feries of fuccefliv^ events ? With what art has he interwoven the chronology of the world, into the lives of the patriarchs, and apparently without any defign ? I may likewife obferve that the fimpliclty of his 0ile, joined with true fublimity and grandeur, I'M fio 0» the Veracity of Mofes, Lect.L has often been remarked and \vt\\ illuflrated, by the heft and moft judicious critics. 4. Had the hiftory of Mofes beenfalfe, it might cafily have been refuted, at the time when he pubHfhed it j becaufe the traditions concerning the creation, the fall, and the flate of the antediluvian Avorld, would be flill frcfli in the memories of men. And, confidcring the prejudices of the Egyptians, and many of their neighbours againft the Ifraelites, nothing could have more effcdually gratified their refentment, than to have had it in their power to depreciate the chara£lcr of their law- giver, by proving him an impoftor. Yet nothing of this kind appears ; nay, on the contrary, his name, his wifdom and learning are celebrated by many of the pldefl, and beft hiftorians of the Eaft ; and tho* they have often mutilated his hif- tory, and obfcured it witii their own fables and inventions, yet it is evident that they have all bor-, rowed from himj and the more of his fentiments they have retained, the more probable do theip theories appear. 5. A flrong and cogent argument in behalf of Mofes's veracity, may be drawn from the view which he gives u?, of the natural and moral government of God, as ftridly coinciding, and mutually fupporting each other. Ke defcribcs tills ^lobc as prepared with infinite wifdoi^ ^n^ art LegT. I. On the Veracity cf Mofgs. st- art for the reception of its Inhabitants, and them as fit for their ftation and abode upon it. Does man live agreeable to the laws of his con- dition, and follow the didates of his Maker ? The earth fmiles upon him, affd fpontaneoufly contri- butes to his fupport and delight. Does he vio- late the commands of his heavenly guide, and lean to his own underftanding ? Then the earth withholds its bounteous produfllons, and inflead of thefe, fends him up briars and thorns. Does a general corruption of manners call far a general judgment ? Then, all nature flaads prepared to execute the pleafure of her Sovereign Lord. The very elements, from being difpenfers of his good- nefs, arc tjien converted into the mcfTengers of liis wrath. 6. The records of nature bear^imple teftimony to the truth of facred hiftory, and her regular and uniform kws confirm its veracity. The wifeft and mod incjuifitire of the human race, and the moft capable to pronounce upon the fubjeft, have declared, that all the theories, whicli infidelity and f<;epticifm have fabricated to weaken the authority of Mofes, will fcarccly admit of a ferlous review ; while at the fame time they prove, that in proportion as the writings of this gr(bat man arc underflood, they acquire the additional evidence of reafon, experience, and obfervatiort. 7* An4 a-z On the Veracity of Mofes, Lect. T, 7. And ladly, what gave a fandion to th« veracity of Mofes, above all hiflorians in the hea- then world, was, the miracles which he performed in the prcfence of the whole tribes of Ifratfl, during the fpacc of forty years. For we may hold it as a maxim*, that when a man can con- trol the laws of nature, and exert a power above that which is human, he mufl ht fent of God-, xyhp can never bear teflimony to any one as a divine mefiengcr, whom he has not fent, or who publiflies his own inventions as the oraclts of Heaven. Therefore, whatever Mofes might have formerly written, yet as he delivered to his coun- trymen the Book of Genefis among his other works, when he was under an abiding infpiration from Heaven, we mufl conclude, that his hiftory of the creation, of the fall, and antediluvian world, is fully confirmed by Divine authority : and as facb, it has, ever fmce its publication, been held facf ed by the church of God. The works of Mofes had peculiar advantages for being preferved pure and incorrupted. They were not only writftn and publiflied, in the pre- fence of the Ifraelites, but public officers were appointed to keep and watch over them with reli- gious care*, whofe averfion to the doftrines apd writings of neighbouring nations, would pre-. * See Farm?!- on Mlratclfs. yeiit Lect. I. On the Veracity of Mofes. ^ vent them from blending the opinions of others with their own. The Books of Mofes were lodg- ed in the facrcd rccefs of the Tabernacle, and afterwards in the Holy of Holies in Solomon's Temple. Every king at his coronation, was obliged to tranfcribc a copy of them from the original, and every individual to get a part of them by heart. They were read at ftated times ; and every perfon who excelled in the knowledge of them, was held in the highcfl: eftimation. In Ihort, thefe writings were, and ftill coijtinue to be to the pofterity of Jacob, their magna charin and ftatute book, as containing the whole of their rules, for the adminiltration of juftice, and for every part of their worfhip. Every privilege, whether of a civil or religious nature, wherewith their temporal and fpiritual Sovereign, honoured them above the reft of mankind, were only to be found in thefe venerable records. * Revelation examined with Candour, L E G T U R E G E N E S I S 1. I* in the Beginning God created the Heavens and ihs Earth* THE Book of Genefis is -placed firft in the facrcd canon, becaufe its contents arc firft in order of time, and firft in dignity and impor- tance 5 as being the bafis of all thofe revelations, which are the conftituent parts of the chriftian fyftem. But, before I enter upon the illuftration of that part of the book which cortics within the limits of my pfopofed plan, it may not be amifs to prcmifc the following remarks. I. The great aim of Mofes in all his writings, was to guard the Ifraelites againft idolatry, and gradually to wean them, from thofe fuperftitious principles and pradiccs, to which they had con- traded an attachment, while fojourning' in the land of Egypt. For which reafon he begins his writings by exhibiting to them a ftriking difplay of the chara^er and perfedions of the one true: God> a$ the fole creator, and fupreme governor of |«BCT. IL On tJje Creation, 25 of the world, and of every being therein. At the jfe.me time, he fhews them what they had to dread from trampling upon his authority, and violating his laws. And to excite them to gratitude and ofecdiojicie, he acquaints them with a gracious pro- IBiifc, which God made: to their firfl parents thro' the feed of thei woman. Which promife being afterwar4s, reneweji a,nd ratified to Noah, and to Abraham, their anceftors, gave them aflured hopes, that every blefTing contained in it, would be accompliflied in God's own time. 2. We are not to fuppofe that Mofes repeats the very words, which were fpoken by every cha- ra^er which he had occafion to introduce. It is enough, when a revelation is publifhed to the world, that its fubftance be preferved entire, and that the truths which it contains, be unadulterated and genuine ; tho' the publi flier may ufe a ftile, which, he thinks will befl: anfwer the end for which it was, given. Doubtlefs, therefore, Mofes delivered his fentiments, in a ftile and manner, adapted to the capacities of his countrymen. 3. We never find the facred hiftorian intro- ducing reafon and argument to fupport the doc- trines which he lays down. He ufes a more effica- cious method of delivering them : a method fuit- able- to the capacities of all men. He eftabliflics th^ wJiole, upoA ia^s ; in my opinion, the bed: £ and 26 On the Creation^ Lect. II. and furcft method of communicating knowledge both natural and moral. How feeble are our convifliions of the being of a God, from all Uie arguments which ingenuity has invented, com- pared with the inveftigation of his own works ? Here, our fenfes come in to the aid of our reafon; and then we both fee and feel the brighteft traces of his wifdom, power, and goodnefs. 4. "When Mofes wrote the hiftory of the crea- tion, it was not his intention, to enter into a minute and philofophical difcuffion of that fubjed. The account which he gives us is purely hiftorical, and calculated to raife in our minds fuch afFe£ling ideas of this ftupcndous work, as might befi: promote the purpofes of piety and religion. If his hiftory be true as far as it goes, this is fufficient to remove every cavil. It fhall be my bufmefs in the following work, to eftablifh its authority, from the invariable- laws of nature, and the different phenomena, which this globe prefents to our obfcrvation. That the earth is not eternal, nor arofe from chance, appears a felf-evident truth, when we.con- fider both the nature, and the regularity of thofe materials of which it is compofed. The harmony of its parts, and the apparent unity of its defign, befpeak it the workmanlhip of one being. There- fore Mofes introduces his hiftory, by laying it down Lect.1I. On the Creation* 27 down as a maxim, That hi the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth, i. e. the whole univerfe, and every thing which It contains. The beginning alludes to time ; for time and exiflenee are coeval. We have no meafure of time, but the duration of this world ; what is prior to that, is to us eternal. Hence the phrafe, in the begi?ining, means as far back as our ideas can reach. To create, is to give being to that which had none before. It is impofTible for a thing to be, and not to be at the fame time ; but that a thing fhould exifl: now that did not exifl before, is no more a contradidion, than that a man fhould move his arm after its having been in a ftate of reft. Tho' Mofes fays, that in the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth, yet his words do not imply, that they were all created at one and the fame time. In this vaft univerfe, there arc many bodies which differ in magnitude and fplendor, and probably they differ as much, in refpedl of time and duration. It fills our minds with ideas worthy of the great Creator, when we refle£t that he has ever been enlarging the fphere of his providence and government, and is ftill exerting his power and wifdom, by forming in the bofom of boundlefs fpace, new worlds of different kinds, and fubjcd to different laws. E 2 The ^8 On the tJr'edfhn. Ltt^, IL The firft defcription which Mbfes givts us of* this globe, is, That it was ivtthoUt fmn^ and 'voiUy •and darknefs was ufon the face (f tht deep, i. e. ■It was a confufed, turbid tnafs, without regularity andofrder, and uninhabited by any living creature. This is what the heathen* called a chaos j and onfc of th-eir * poets thusdefcribes it. ** "Difie was the Tace of nature, if a face, " Rather a rude and indigefted mafs, •* A lifelefs lump unfafhion'd and unfram'd, <* Of jarring feeds, and juftly ckaos nam'd" How long the earth continued in thi« ftatc we are nrot told, but fonifc think that it had undergonfe many changes before this period, and thus ac- count for fevcral phenomena that arc ftill found in it. We know that fincc it was reduced to its •prefent form, it has been deluged by water, and revelation informs us, that it is to be deftroycd by iire j when it will once more be wit h out for m^ and void, till the great Creator model it again, and create a new Heaven and a new Earth, Thfe word create is frequently ufcd by the facrcd wri- ters, as implying no more, than moulding, falfhibii- ing, or forming a thing out of materials already prepared |. * Ovid. Metamor. | Ezek. xxviii.^^3. Pf. H- ic Jcr. xzxi. 22. The LECt.lI. ^« J^-^^ Creation, ^^ "the ftrft Sift of creation which the hiftoriaa mentions, ss preparatory to the whole of the fub- fequtnt vc^ork, is thus exprefled, Tbefpirit of God tm^td on the face of the waters. It is thought by foTJie, that the word moved alludes to the Altering motion of a hen, when fhe expandeth hct ^ings over her tender brood. ITiere arc a variety of opinions about the meaning of the ^/nV of God in this place. Some think that a mighty wind (in which fenfe the word fpirit is fometimes lafed) at this time put the whole mafs in motion*. But it is not probable that there was any wind, before there were air or clouds to prodnce it. By the word fpirit in fcripture language is gene- rally meant, any aftive, hidden principle, or fecrct and efficacious caufe ; and when applied to God,, it means the influence and exertions of his power, bt)th in the natural and moral world. Therefore in my opinion, there is nothing more intended here, than that the Almighty, now beginning to exert his a(5tive power, impreffed upon the chaos what w« commonly term the laws of nature, or in other words, thofe rules which eftablifli a regu- lar and uniform connection between fecondary caiife^ and feffeds, in the fyftem to which we be- fcng, and which can only be afcertained by expe- rience and obfcrvation. This would gradually * Clayton's Vindic. Let. 4. digeft 3© On the Creation. Lect. II. ^igeft and prepare the whole, for that beautiful form and order, to which it was afterwards re- duced. God is not like man, under the neceffity of ufmg a variety of inftruments, and often chang- ing them, when conftrucling or repairing the fame machine ; therefore we may conclude, that * by whatever mode the operations of nature are daily carried on, by the fame mode, the chaotic mafs was formed into a habitable world.* , Thefe expreffions, the face of the deep^ and the face of the waters, feem to indicate, that the whole mafs of the earth was at this time of a foft and liquid nature j a circumilance, which enables us to account for the prefent figure of the globe, not being a perfect fphere, but what we call a Ipheroid*, fimilar to an orange, depreffed at the poles, and having its axis lliortened. The diurnal motion of the earth would no fooner take place, than its middle or equatorial parts, would begin * This was the opinion of that great man, Sir Ifaac Newton, and has fince been confirmed by different expcri- menti, efpecially by meafuring a degree of latitude In each temifphere, at the dcfire of the Kings of France and Spain. By which it appears, that the equatorial diameter of the globe, exceeds that of the polar about thirty-fcven miles. It is agreeable to one of the laws of nature, that all bodies, which revolve upon their axis, acquire a centrifugal force, in proportion to their velocities, and which velocities and forces are in proportion to their diftance from the axis. to Lect.il On the Creation, 31 to fwcll and expand, to a confiderable de- gree *. Then, Mofes proceeds to the different a9:s of creation, and defcribes them as gradually rlfing ir» the fcale, and fucceeding one another in a natural order, according to the operation of thofe laws, by which the fupreme Being was to regulate and fuftain the future world. But here I would re- mark, that the hiftorian, in order to accommodate himfelf to our capacities, introduces the Almighty fpcaking after the manner of men, in every exertion of creative power ; but in fuch an au- thoritative way, that his word alone calls into being, things which had no former exiflence. This is beautifully exprefled by the Pfalmifl:f, when he fays. By the word of the Lord ivere the Heavens made ; and all the hojl of them by the breath of his mouth. For he fpake and it 'was done ; he commanded and it Jiood fajh Light was the firft agent, according to Mofes, which God employed in his work of creation. Let there be light, and there was light. Light is not only the firft and noblefl creature in the inani- * This may be proved by an experiment. Let any thing of a globular form, and which is foft and pliable, be whirled with great velocity round its axis, and it will appear more derated at the middle, than at its poles, f Pf. xxxiii. 6. 9, mated mated world, but It i§ fpoke of, a? an infepg^abile attendant upon the Deity. * He is lighi% ^4 f d^welUth in light. It is not an eafy matter to fix the meaning of the word in thi^ pjacj?> They who look upon the fun to be the foJlQ hn^*- tain of light to the planetary fyftem, thinly ti\at this luminary even then, in fome degie© anHg^t cned the unfalhioned earth. J Other men of eminence in the learned wc^i4 maintain, that light is totally independcRt o| \tr^^ fun, and is a fubftance by itfelf, a^ diftindl fro/i* aJi other, as the air is from the water. The.y con.r ccive it to be, not that fepf^tion wbiijh we feci '^ ourfelves, on the prefence of a*, luminous ^ody-* but to us an infinitely fubtile matter, which paiats tipon the eye thofe objects, from whofc furfaces it is reflefl:ed, and pervades all nature by night as well as by day. They compare it to the ring- ing of a bell, which produces found, not by any emanation of particles from its own body, but- by exciting the air or foundlng-fubflance, without which the motion of the bell would have no efFen^l:. There is indeed a great difference betwixt the velocity of found, and of light ; the latter being * I John I. 5. f I Tim. vJ. i6. X Natdrc Difplayed. Art. Light. The great Dr, Taylor, of Norwich, had adopted this thcorj^, before he had Teen it fo fully illuftrated by the ingenious Abbe la Pluche. See ^ §,Cpp. Divinity. Chap. 4. incoa- LfiCT. H. On ihg £reathn* 3| iflconceiyaWy greater than the jfojnigr. Xight according to the befl: calculations, reaches our earth from the fun in about fcven or eigfet mir nutcs,, whereas it would require fcv.cntecn years and a half for found to pafs thro' the fenie dit uncc * of fpace. Light is jcitber a luminous body of itfelf, or it ilTuejs out, and pioceeds from fome other body. That the .latter rlhpuld :be the cafe, appears improbable from thi5 . 0#i i^e Creaiion, X^eT.U. frm the night : and let ih^m beforjt^ns^ and far pafons, and for days and years, the meaning is, that tliro* their iaiuences, there might be day and niglit, fummer and winter, feed time an ably prolific ; and flying and fwimming are pretty limilar. On the SIXTH day, God faid. Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle and creeping thing and beafl of the earth after his kind : and it was fo. It would appear from this dcfcription, that Mofes was a better philofopher, than many who have fmce aflumed that name- For, he not only fays, but repeats it, that every creature was to proceed from its own kind. The moft accurate experiments have afcertained the truth of this pofuion, that there is no fuch thing in the world, as equivocal generation, but that all creatures whatever, yea the. fmalleil in- fers, are generated by parents after their own kind. And it is an cftablifhcd fa£t, that animals -which come from promifcuous mixtures, never afterwards propagate cither fpccies. The works of this and the former day, differ from all thofe which had been accomplilhed on the preceeding days, when the laws of nature were probably employed by their author in modeling and form- ing this globe. Nothing lefs than an immediate exertion of divine power could communicate life 5 this Lect.II. On the Creation, ^t this being an effential part of his alUglorious character, that * with him is the fountain of life. ■ Some have entertained an opinion, that there was only one pair, or a male and female, of every creature animate and inanimate, created at firft. But this hypothefis feems fomewhat paradoxical, and indeed is fcarcely credible. Plants cannot remove from the place where they arc fixed. Many of their fepds are heavy, and cannot eafily be tranfported by the winds : and yet we find them on the tops of far diflant mountains j there- fore at firfl they muft have been fpread over the face of the whole earth. And that it (hould be fo, appears neceflary for fupplying different ani- mals with food. As to aquatic creatures and fowls, Mofes tells us, that they were brought forth abundantly. There has been another queflion agitated among philofophers, Whether all creatures, which have already been, or hereafter fhall be, were at firft adlually created by God, or whether he gave to each a power of generating and producing their own kind. The nature of my work prevents me, from entering minutely into thi^ fubjeft : but I fhall offer the following remarks. f Generation is a work, which indicates art and reafon, above the reach, not only of the brute * Pf. xxxvi, 9. f See Ray on the Creation. creation. 4^ On the Creation, Lect. 11, creation, but even of the mofi; enlightened of the rational kind. Therefore as generation mufl b& the refult of nothing lefs, than infinite power and wifdpm,. many learned men conclude, that God, before he ceafed from creating, and refled from his works on the feventh day, did adually create, or at lead form the beginnings of creatures, of every fpccics, which has exifted or fhall exifl upoa earth. I own, this idea fills us with wonder and admiration, and fo do all the works of God when properly inveftigated. We think it impof- fiblc, that innumerable myriads of creatures fiiould be contained in the ovary of the firll female. But how fmall, I had almoft: faid, infinitely fmall, may be xhtjiamina, or firll principles of life ? Yea •with refpefit to ourfclves, after the earth has claim- ed as its own, our corporeal bodies, thefe very ^(lamina may fervc, as the bafis or groundwork of our future heavenly bodies, and they may confli- tute the difference of identity among the whole of the human race. Some ingenious philofophcrs declare, that there are millions of millions of crea- tures in one drop of water. How fmall then muO; be the parts of each contained and contain- inp- ? But nothing can give us a more fenfible idea of the numberlefs parts of matter, which may be included within a fmall fpace, than by confi- dering the quantity of effluvia or exhalations which arife Lect. II. On the Creation. if arifc from bodies of different kinds. Perhaps one of thefe of no great magnitude, will fend forth in a fhort time a quantity of particles, more in number than all the human race, which have lived, or ever will live upon the earth. For thefe rcafons, many think that there is no new creation or produdion, or in the words of the Preacher, * That there is nothing new under the fun ; but that God, by the operation of the laws of nature, hath clothed every creature with a f body that pleafetb hi?n. I An elegant writer obfervcs, " That the whole creation may be ftill beautifying in the eye of its Maker, and drawing nearer to him in greater degrees of refemblance.'* And indeed, every ob- fervation we make upon the works of God in this lower world, confirms the truth of this pleafmg refledtion. We cannot find one being tliroughout the kingdoms of nature, whether vege- table, animal^ or rational, but which, from a fmall and llender beginning, gradually arrives at higher degrees of maturity and perfetlion. Such, aeebrding to Mofes, was the condition of the ^cat globe on which we dwell. From a chaos at: firft, in procefs of time, it grew up to its prcfent beautiful form and proportion. The great, and K) us incomprchenfible work of creation, began itt the lower part of the fcale, viz. the inanimate * Eccl. i. 9. f I Cor. ZY. 37. $ Spcdator, No. iii, world 5 4^ On the Creation. Lect.IL world ; then it afcended to the vegetable ; after- wards to the animal ; and laftly to man, the mafter-piece of the whole* We are told, that on the sixth day, after God had made every thing elfe, he faid. Let us make man in our own image, after our own likenefs. In the fecond chapter of Genefis, which feems to be an appendix to the firft, the hiftorian men- tions feveral particulars relating to the creation of our firft parents, which he had omitted in his firft account, left they fhould interrupt the thread of his narration. Thefe I fhall now arrange in their natural order, and briefly endeavour to illuf- trate the whole. The firft thing worthy of notice in the above paf- fage, is, the Almighty fpeaking in the plural number. Let us make man. In the opinion of many, this i% nothing but a majeftic ftile, fuch as a monarch would ufe, when fitting in the midft of his coun- cil j and the reafon why he exprefled himfelf with fuch dignity, was, becaufe he was now about to make a nobler creature upon earth, than any which hi^ hand had yet framed. Others think that the words are addrelTed to the angels. This ap- pears highly improbable, when we confider, thac tho' thefe celeftial beings minifter to our benefit in this life, yet they can have no part in fending us into it; for that is the prerogative of God - • alone. Lect. II. On the Creation, 40 alone. If the words were addrelTed to any being, it is more likely they were to him, who is fliled Emrnamiel^ God with us. Many pious and learned men are of opinion, that the mod high Jehovah, is infinitely beyond the reach of c{ll created beings:- and the fcriptures exprefsly declare that no man' \\2^hfesn or beard God at any time : therefore they fuppofe, that all divine commtmications to the world from the beginning, have been imparted thro* fome organ or medium, and this they take for granted, was none elfe, but that illuftrious being, called by way of eminence the only be- gott^ and well beloved Son of God ; who was delegated by his Father, to create, fuperintcnd, and fmally judge the world ; who perfonally ap- peared to our firfl parents, and to the patriarchs of old'-; gave the law from Mount Sinai ; affumed various titles expreflive of the h?^ieft and nearcfi: relations, in which he ftood to mankind in general, but in a more particular manner to the pofterity of Abr?.ham, and after them to his own followers; who in the fuUefs of time was made ^tCn and dwelt among us, and having died in obedience to to the will of God, and for the deUverance of fmners, afcended up into Heaven ; from whence he will dired the concerns of his kingdom, till at lad * be deliver it up to bis father ^ that God may be * 1 Cor. Kv. 24. 23. H all 5© Onihe Creation. Lect.1L all in all. One cannot help thinking, that the apoftles of Chrift, had fuch an opinion of their Lord and Mafter, when one of the moil enlight- ened among them exprefles himfelf thus, * Who is the image of the invifible God, the fir jl horn of every creature. For by him were all things created, that are in Heaven and Earth, vifihle and invifible ; whether they he thrones or dominions, or principa'^ lities or powers : all things were created by him and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things confijl. In the creation of man there are four things mentioned, worthy of our obfervation. , , I . His body was formed out of the dufi of the ground. His name Adam, i. e. red earthj befpeaks his origin. Duft has a natural, tendency to change, to fall afunder and be diflblved ; this clearly proves, that Adam in his original confli- tution was frail, and that his body if left to be affected by the eftabliflied laWs and ordinary courfb of nature, mujft have gradually declined, and come at lafl to a flate of diffolution. An apoftle declares, that the \firfi man was of the earth, earthy, and as fuch liable to corruption. And it is remarkable that thefe words are ufed by way of contrafl, betwixt a corruptible body, and an in- * Colof. i. 15. t I Cor. XY. 47. •cor* Lect. II. On the Creation. 51 corruptible ; fuch as the faints of God will b^ clothed with, in a future ftate. 2. God is faid, to have breathed into Ada?n*s nojirils, the breath of life^ and he became a living foul ; or in other words a living'perfon. In facred writing, the word foul, is ufed in various and dif- ferent fenfes ; therefore when we either write, or talk about the foul, we can never convey clear and diftinc\ ideas, unlefs we firft afcertaia the meaning of the word, which we choofe at that time to adopt. But by God's breathing into the man's noftrils the breath of life, fo that he became a living foul, may be underftood, his endowing him both with animal and rational life, with all the powers of body, and capacities of mind, fuch as felf motion, re^fon and refledion, memory and imagination. 3. "We are told, that God made man in his own image, and after his own likenefs. Image and like-? nefs are fynonimous terms, and repetitions are common in the Hebrew language. Commentators have been divided in their opinions, about the meaning of the image of God, in which Adam was made. The reafon is this, one thing may be the image of another in many refpecls ; and in a variety of inftances man may refemble his Maker. But none can fay, which, or how many of thefe, Mofes had in view, when he made ufe of this H 2 ex- 52 On the Creai'mi, Lect. II. pxpreiTion. Some think that the image of God on man, confifts in nothing but the higher powers of his mind, which give him fuch a fuperiority over the inferior creation. Others are of opinion, that this image arifes, from the power and domi- nion, wherewith the Creator velted him by an ^xprefs grant; becaufe he no focner made man in his own image, than he added, by way of expla- nation. And let him have doininion over ihe jijio of the fea, and ever the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creep- ing thing that creepetb upon the, earth. All writers agree that the above are parts of the image. But as the greateft abfurdities, may pafs current for articles of faith, till they are tried at the tribunal of right reafon, (which can never contradid reve* lation) a definition of this phrafe has been adopted by divines, and interwoven into their fyllems, viz. that the image in which Adam was created, con- fifts in knowledge, righteoufnefs, and true holi- nefs ; and that none ever did, or can bear this image, but our firft parents in a ftate of innocence, and fuch of their pofterity, on whofe fouls, this image is renewed by irrefiftible grace. As for Adam's knov/ledge when firft coming into life, it will appear in the fequel of his hiftory. Righteouf- nefs and holincvfs confift in habitual obedience to the laws of God j but no man can acquire a habit Lect. II. (^ ib^ Creai'wn* 53 habit before he perform, an acl ; and no law can be either obeyed or tranfgrefled, till it is made known, and time afforded to try obedience. The above comment upon the image of God, is not founded on the hiftory of Mofes but on the writings of the Apofile Paul, who abounds with figures,- metaphors, fimilcs, and allegorical allu- fions to the hilk)ry of the Old Teftament, parti- cularly the hiftories of the creation, the fall, and the giving of the law from Mount Sinai : and it will be found, that the greatefl. part of thefe wild and extravagant dcdlrlncs, which have marred the fimplicity of the goipel, have originated from men taking thefe, or fuch like figurative expref- fions among the facred writers in a ftrid and literal fenfe. To illullrate this fatal truth in the prefent ' inftance. The great ApofUe Paul, with ji view to magnify the grace of God to a fmful world, compares the converfion of the Gentiles to Chrifti- anity, to a new creation. He fays, that by break- ing down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, God made of twain one new man*. Here, and in other parts of his writings, he peifonifies the Chriftian character or the Chriftian church, and calls it a new man ; f a new creature ; born again | j made and built of God. In oppofition to this, he places * Eph. il, i^. 16. f 2 Cgr. V. 17. t I Pet. if. 5. »1. ii. 7. the ^4 On the Creation. Lect. II. the Gentile world, with its wicked deeds, and calls it the * old 7nan. He then, introduces another part of the natural creation to make his fimile more full and compleat, viz. The image of God on man, and tells us that the image. of the new man, was knofoledge, right eoufnefs, and true holinefs, which he fays, is created after God-f : the meaning is, God hath conftituted the Chriitian church, in knowledge, wifdom, and holinefs, after the purity and redtitude of his own nature, in order to pro- mote redlitude and religion among men. Now, can there be a greater impropriety of fpeech, than to afcribe to Adam in a literal fenfe, what w^as figuratively applied to the Chriftian character or church. The image of the former was natural, and purely the work of God alone. The image of the latter, viz. the new man ; is moral. It fup- pofes the concurrence of our own will, and cannot take place without our own confent. The image of God, in which Adam was created, in my opinion, is nothing but a phrafe exprefuve of the fuperior dignity of man above all other crea- tures ; whether we confider the form and figure of his body, the majefly of his countenance; all the higher powers and faculties of his mind ; or his authority and dominion over this world, as the vicegerent of his Maker. In fcripture, a thing * Col. ill. 9' t Eph. iv. 24. ^ -is LccT. 11. On the Creation. 55 is faid to be of God, or of the Lord, when it is. remarkably eminent, thus * the cedars of Lebanon, as being fo lofty, are called, the trees of the Lord* But all mankind, arc made in the image of God, as well as Adam. This appears from an exprefs and pofitive prohibition given to Noah againft the fhedding of human blood, where the reafon affign- cd is this, -j- For in the image of God made he man* 4. It is faid, when God created man,, he created them male atid female. One would naturally con- clude from thefe words, that Eve was created on the -fame day with Adam. The manner of her forma- tion was different from that of her hufband. He W'as made of rude dull, but fhe of duft already dignified and refined ; which accounts for the fuperior delicacy of the female fex. The hiflory of Eve's original, is by our tranflators, conneded with an incident, to which it has no relation. We are told, { God brought all the beafls of the field, &c. to Adam, to fee 'what he would call them, butfot him there was not found an help meet for hijn, meaning fiirely, among all thefe creatures. This fuggefts a fentiment rather crude and indelicate. Therefore the bed critics have remarked, that the laft part of the fentence, fhould be detached from the firft, and the particle but, rendered and j whei^ • Pf. cJT. z6. t Gem ix. 6. ^ Geiv ii. ao^ a new 56 On the Creation. Lect.II. a new fubjed is introduced, which fliould begin a new verfe, and read thus, Jnd the Lord God, had natfupplied Adam with a help meet for him : but he caufed a deep Jleep to fall upon him, and hejlept. And he took one of his ribs, and clofed up the JJeJh thereof; and the rib, which the Lord had taken from man, made he a ivaman, and brought her unto the man. Adam's fleep was no doubt fupernatural, as well as the whole trahlaQion. Yet it fcems, like feme of the prophets, he was all the time in a trance or vifion, and clearly perceived the whole of this miraculous operation ; for as foon- as her faw Eve, he faid, * This is now hone of my bones, andflejh of my fejh : fhe fhall be called woman, be- caufe fhe was taken out of man, i. e. flie fhall be called a fhe or feiHale man. Mofes does not think it neceffary here, to repeat the words fpoken at the creation of Adam, That God breathed into his noflrils the breath of life, and he became a living foul; becaufe Eve's being called a help meet for him, bone of his bones and flefh of his flefh, implied the greateft refemblance poffible in the powers of body and mind ; fo that if the one was formed after the image of God, fo was the other alfo. And to fliew that union and affection, which ought to fub. fift betwixt man and wife, it is added, f Therefore * Gen. ii. 23. t Ch, il. 24. ■ fhall Lect.II. On the Creation, S7 Jlmll a man leave hh father atid mother, and Jhalt cleave unto his ozun vjife, Thefe words were not fpoken by Adam, who as yet could have no idea of father or mother, but are added by Mofes, to fliew that marriage is a pofitive inflitution of God, an4 are * quoted by our Saviour as the words of God himfelf. After the Almighty had pronounced his blefling on our firft; parents, the firft commandment which he gave them, was to | be fruitfid and multiply, and replenijh the earth, Doubtlefs, one great end for which God fent mankind into life, was to propa- gate their own fpecies, and indulge thofe inftindts, which he had implanted within their breads, by watching .over, rearing, and training up their ten- der offspring ; fo that the world might ftill con- tinue furniflied with inhabitants, till the number {hould be compleated, which infinite wifdom /hall think proper, to bring upon the theatre of human life. No wonder then, that children are called, \ God's heritage. Having mentioned the firfl; comfort of human life, viz. that of focial enjoyment, the Almighty proceeds to fhevv Adam and Eve, what regard he had for their temporal fupport and provifion, when he fays to them, § Behold I have given you * Matt. xix. 5. f Gen. i. 28. t Pf. cxxvii. 3. § Gen. i. 29. I every 58 On the Creation. Lect. 11. every herb bearing feed, -which is upon the face of all the earth ; and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding feed : to you it fhall be for meat» Thefe words plainly declare, that this grant of food to man was confined to vegetables alone : and it is highly probable that animal food was never ufed before the deluge, by any who paid regard to the authority of God, and of their father Adam. For had this kind of food, been included in the original grant, yea had it even been per- mitted, we can fee no reafon, vihy the prohibition againfl eaticg blood fnould not have been pub- lifhed to Adam as well as afterwards to Noah. Why Almighty God was pleafed to let the creation of this world, unfold itfelf by degrees, in the progrefs of fix days operations, or why he did not produce it in a moment by his all powerful command, is one of (ho{e: fecrets ivhich belong unto the Lord. But as the fuprcme being in all his wnys and v^oiks has a regard to the happinefs of his creatures, fo, in the procefs of the creation, lie gives us an opportunity of contemplating, in a more eafy and perfpicuous manner, the exertions of his omnipotent power and wifdom. And in- deed from every obfervation, which we are ca- pable of making upon the opetarions of nature, we find noneaf its productions to -be inftantaneous, but the whole of them gradual and progrenive. The Lect. II. On the Creation. 59 The facred hiftorian acquaints us, that the thne employed by the Creator in making the world and every thing in it, was intended to ferve as a pattern to us, how long we were to work, and when to reft; for when he had finifhed the whole of his works, * he hleJTed the seventh day, and fanBified it : hecazifs in it he rejled from all his works which he had made. Thus the Almighty, by a pofitive law fet apart the feventh day, from all wordly bufmefs and employment, and confe- crated it to the purpofes of religious meditation, and of public and private worfliip. The time of this inftitution was well fuited, to the condition of our firft.parents. The day after their creation, being a day of reft, by that means, they were not hurried into life, nor were their early and tender minds employed about any worldly fcenes, before they were able to bear them. Befides, they had time to digeft fuch communications, as their Maker had already imparted to them. The fandifying of the fabbath, is the firft and oldcft of God's inftitutions, and therefore muft have a real foundation in the nature of man, and be conducive to the great ends of his creation. We were all made for happinefs, and the primary intention of our being fent into life, was, that we * Gen. il. a, I 2 might 6o ■ On the Creation, Lect. II. might learn and praftife, the principles of right action and genuine piety, and thus acquire peace and comfort m this.world, and grow up to a ripc- iiefs for a bleffed immortality hereafter. But we can never attain to this temper and difpofition of mind, v^athout frequent reflexion, and ferioivs application of thought. To inure ourfelves to this employment, fome time mufl: be fet apart : and furely God alone befl knows, what portion of tiilie is moft competent for thefe good pur- pofes. The fabbath is not mentioned in the book of Genefis : which however, is no argument that thfe patriarchs did not obferve it ; for in this book, we have clear intimations of a regard being paid to that inftitution. * Noah fent the dove thrice out of the ark, after he had waited each time feven days. And f Jacob is faid to have fulfilled Leah*s week. This fhews us that long before Mofes was born, time was reckoned by weeks, which can be referred to no other original, but the confecrating of the fevcnth day at the crea- tion. It feems, the Ifraelites, during their refi- dence in Egypt, had either forgot, or neglected to obferve the fabbath ; but after they left that country, it was the firft point of religion fettled * Gen. vHi. 12. -j- Gen. xxix. 28. among Lect.II, On the Cnatim. 6t among them 5 aad it was diflingm {lied from other days of the week, by the * manna ceafmg to fall on that day. The Jev/iih fabbath was fenced with fanftions peculiar to their oeconomy. AH thefe, hke the other parts of the ritual law, were nailed to the crofs of Chnfl ; but, as to the fab- bath itfelf, our -j- Saviour declared that he was Lord of that day. Of confequerKie, it niuft he aa ordinance belonging to his kingdom, and as fuch ranked among his laws. The apoftles of Chrift, changed the fabbath from the laft to the firft day of the week, in memory of our Saviour's refur- reflion, which doubtlefs they would not have done, without a fpecial commillion from him. This day, has ever fince been ftiled the Lord's day ; and has been appropriated to the purpofes of reft and rehgion, throughout the univerfal church of Chrift. Of all the pofitiveinflltutions, which the father of lights hath communicated to the pofterity of Adam, under the patriarchal, Jewifii, or Chriftian ccconomy, there is not another, which hath fuch a happy influence on the great interefts of man- kind, whether confidered as inhabitants of this world, or candidates for a future immortality, as that of the fabbath. For which reafon, in every * Exod. xvi. 26. f Luke vl. 5. country 62 On the Creation. Xect. II. country where Chriftianity has been eftablifhed, civil laws are enacted, fuitable to the genius and circumftances of the people, to give a fandion to this inftitution. Whoever therefore is guilty of openly profaning the Lord's day, can neither be a good Chriftian, nor yet a loyal fubjed*. * See this fubjeft fully difcuffed by Archd. Paley, in his Moral and Political Philofophy. Ch. 6. 7. 8. LECTURE III. GENESIS 1. 31. Jnd God faw every thing that he had made 5 and behold it was very good. ALmighty God hath communicated to the world different revelations of his will and pleafure, to affilt mankind in their inquiries after him : but we abufe the divine goodnefs when we imagine, that revelation was ever intended to fuperfede the ufe of reafon, and obflrucl the light of our own minds. Reafon refers to revelation for the operations of a firft caufe, and revelation appeals to reafon, to explain its meaning, and prove the utility of its doftrines. And thus, the books of nature and grace mutually fupport each other, equally elevate our conceptions, and incite our piety. They have an equal claim to our regard, both being written by the fniger of the one eternal and incomprehenfible God*. There- fore, it can never be deemed prefumption in ■nan, to invefligate the works of his Maker, and * Watfon. Chcm. Pref. - to 64 ^^^^ Wifdojn and Goodnefs of Lect. III. to exercife the higher powers of his mind, in contemplating that wifdom, power, and good- nefs, which he difplays in his natural and moral government of the world. But our inquiries into the ways and works of God, are of a very limited nature, and we can carry them no farther than to effects arifmg from fecondary caufes. With refpe6t to the firll caufe of all, tho' we fee and feel him in every portion of matter, we are entire itrangers to the manner of his sgency. This is well expreifed by an antient writer, * Behold I go forward^ bat be is not there, and backward but I cannot perceive him. On the left hand where he doth work, but I cannot behold him : he hideth him- felf on the right hand, that I cannot fee him. The Deity could receive no additional happi- nefs or glory from the exertion of his creative power ; for he has always polfelfed, and will for ever poffefs thefe attributes, in the highefl degree. Therefore we cannot conceive any other end ■which he had in view, in forming the univerfe, and every being within it, but to diffufe happinefs among an endlefs variety of creatures, in fuch portions as were fuited to their diiferent capacities and conditions of life. The pride of man fhould not flatter him fo far, as to make him believe, thftt all things were * Job xxiii. 8. created Lect. III. God in the Creation, $^ created for his fake alone, yet It will appear from all the obfervations which we can make, that every thing around us, contributes in fome mea- fure to our happinefs and comfort. This pleafing reflexion, I fhall endeavour to illuflrate, in the fubfequent difcourfe, by delineating in a plain and eafy manner, fome of the more eminent inflances of divine wifdom and benevolence, which fall within the reach of human inveftigation, and which are apparent in the fyftem to which we belong. Let us then for order's fake begin with thofc parts of the natural world, which are above us. When we view the firmament which Invelopes. this globe, efpecially in a clear and ferene night, it has the appearance of a canopy ftretched around us, beautifully ftudded with ftars, fome of greater and fome of leffer magnitude ; all of which, on account of their immenfe diftance, feem to be placed on the fuperficies of the fame concave fphere. The number of ftars vifible to the naked eye in either hemifphere, does not exceed one thoufand, but many fhoufands more have been difcovered by the affiftance of optical glalfes : and were a fpedlator to be placed in one of thofe celeftial bodies, fo remote, that its light has never yet reached our earth, an equal, yea perhaps a greater number of ftars, would even there dif- K clgfc 66 ^he IVifdom and Goodnefs of Lect, II!. clofe thcmfelves to his view. So great, and to us unbounded are the works of God ! Among all the luminaries of the iky, the fun firft merits our attention, on account of his mag- nitude and fplendor, and that energy wherewith he pervades the whole of this fyftem. When the pious Pfalmift remarks, that the Heavens declare the glory of God, he particularly illuftrates this from the fun by two beautiful fimilitudes. Allud- ing to thofe fragrant odours, which arc excited by his genial and morning heat, he compares him to a bridegroom coming out of his chamber. "With refped to the fteadinefs and regularity of his motion, he fays, * He rejoiceth as. ajlrong man to run his race. His going is from the end of Hea- •ven, and his circuit is to the ends of it. Here, I would beg leave to obferve, that the fcriptures addrefs us in a ftile, fuited to the common appre- henfion of things ; and we millake their intention, when we go to them to learn abftrufe points of philofophy. Thefe we mufl inveftigate by the ufe of our own reafon. The facred writings teach us fomething more momentous, fome thing which rea- fon could never impart, I mean the knowledge of the one true God, and thofe duties which we owe to him. It is a doftrine univerfally received among learned men, that the fun is placed in the center * Pf. xix. 5. of Lect. III. God in the Creaiion, 67 of this fyftem ; that he remains at reft 'in his ftation ; and that all the other planets move round him in their periodical courfes. This opinion is fupported by ftrong and irrefragable arguments. It is thought that this earth bears no more pro- portion to the fun, than a pebble does to a mill- ftone. Now, if thefe two were chained together, would it not be unnatural to fuppofe, that the pebble would always remain at reft, and incef- fantly drag around it the millftone with incon- ceivable velocity. The daily motion of the earth upon its own axis is amazingly great * ; but were the fun to revolve around the earth, the velocity of his motion would exceed all belief. Our de- ception in this matter, is well illuftrated, by a perfon fitting in a ftiip, and failing in fmooth water. All the time he beholds the land flying from him, while in fa£l, the land continues at reft, and he himfelf is only moved. The fun is like his Maker ; he ftiines with his own light, but all other bodies within his fphere, have no light but what they derive from him. No wonder then, that the blinded nations fliould worftiip this ftar : for tho' he is no deity, he is his brighteft repre- * As the diameter of the earth i'« about 25,000 miles, it moves around its axis at the rate of above i,oco miles an hour. But were the fun to go round the earth in one day, he wpuld move at the rate of 22,000,000 xniles in an hour. K 2 fentativc 68 The Wifdom and Gcodnefs of Lect. III. fentative in the vifible Heavens. It is to him .that we owe the exercife of the nobleft faculty which we enjoy, I mean that of vifion. Without the fun, life itfelf would foon die away ; and nothing but darknefs and death univerfally prevail. He ! brings about day and night, and the varying fea- fons of the year, and with his light and heat, he chears and invigorates all nature. Next to the fun, the moft flriking objeft in the Heavens is the moon. This is only a fecondary planet j yet it appears the largeft, on account of it.s nearnefs to the earth*, to which it is appoint- ed a fatellite or attendant, and as fuch anfwers many beneficial purpofes. The moon by refleft- ing the beams of the fun, after he has paft beneath our horizon, illuminates the atmofphere, and in fome meafure compenfates for the darknefs of the night. It alTifts the wandering traveller to find his way, and diredls the anxious mariner, when toffed amidfl the raging billows of the deep. The moon is the great caufe of tides in the fea, and by thus keeping up a motion in that element, pre- fcrves it from corruption, which would foon be- come fatal to its own inhabitants, and even to thofc who live upon land. Likewife the moon, which we are told, with other ftars was made to rule the * The moon's diftance from the earth is computed to be 940,000 miles, and its diameter 2|i8o. nighty Lect. 111. God in the Creation. 69 7ugbt, enables us to fix and afcertaln determinate periods of time, and to form fyftems of geography, chronology, and aftronomy, faiences of the greateft utility to mankind. The next thing which falls under our conlide- ration is the air or atmofpliere*. This is that fubtile and tranfparent fluid f, which the Creator expanded about this globe, and which he fam very good, as conducing to the life and comfort of every creature upon it. Of all bodies which we know, the air is by far the moft comprefTible ; on the other hand, its fpring or elaftic quahty is fo great, that in the opinion of many, a cubical foot of it may be fo dilated, as to fill a fpace of a thoufand miles extent. The air pofTefTes weight or gravity J as well as any other body whatever, * The atmofphcre is computed to be about 45 miles higb. •\ There is a law in nature called rcpullion, owing to which, the particles of bodies, when they- do not come withia the fphere of their mutual attraction, recede and fly off to a greater diftance : and when thefe particles have no tendency to unite, but to repel one another, they form a body which we call a fluid ; and fuch is air. t It is proved by repeated experiments, that a foot of air upon the furface of the earth, weighs nearly as much as 33 feet of water, or 29 inches of quickfilvcr : but one cubical foot of water weighs about 63 pounds. Hence it appears that a man of a large fize, fuppofing the furface of his body equal to 15 fquare feet carries upon him a load of air above 30,000 pound weight ; tho' fometimes, by a change in the gtmofphere, he carries 4,000 pound more or lefi. which 70 ^be Wifdom and Goodnefs of Lect. III. which may be proved by many experiments, but the barometer or weather glafs, demonftrates it fufEciently. Yet it's weight is conflantly varying, on account of thofe exhalations, which are inceffantly arifmg from every body upon earth, and which produce different degrees of heat and cold. The upper parts of the air, preffmg upon the lower, makes them accede nearer to one another; confcquently its denfity muft be greateft at the earth's furface, and muft conftantlv increafe from its furface to its center. The incumbent weight of the air upon this globe is fo immenfely great, that it would inftantly crulh in pieces our bodies, and every thing elfe of a compreffible nature, were it not for a happy provifion made by provi- dence, to counteract this fatal effed, viz. that the air w^ithin a body counterbalances the air without it, fo that the one operates juil as much in our favour, as the other would do to oui prejudice. By every trial hitherto attempted, it appears that the air can neither be fixed nor congealed fo as to become a folid body. The benefits which redound to every creature upon earth, from this noble appendage of our globe, are great and numerous. 1 Ihall content myfelf with the recital of a few. "Were it not for the air, the fun would feem to us at mid-day, nothing more than a lamp in a dark Lect.III. God in the Creation, 71 dark night; and when we turned our face to him, his beams would blind us with their efful- gence ; but paffing thro' the air, thefc beams arc reflcdled and turned a thoufand different ways, which makes them diffufe a refrefhing light and heat over the whole face of nature. To the fame caufc, we likewife owe the twilight ; for until the fun pafs eighteen degrees below the horizon, the fun's beams ftrike upon the atmofphere, and are by it fo refraded and broken, that they impart to us different degrees of light. Winds which arc fo conducive to health and life derive their origin from the air. When any part of this fluid is fo rarefied by heat, as to lofe its equilibrium, all the adjoining parts, which are of a denfer quality, will ru(h into it like water endeavouring to re- cover its level J and this motion or current is what we call wind j the benefits of which are felt and acknowledged iii every region and climate upon earth. When a dead calm prevails for any length of time, the vapours are condenfcd, and be- come putrid and noxious, till a fanning breeze difpels them, and reftores falubrity to the air. By winds men are enabled to crofs the feas ; and far diftant regions are united together, by the mutual ties of friendihip, trade and commerce. The atmofphere is a rich ftorehoufe, furniflied with clouds and watery vapours, which diftil upoa the 72 ^he Wifdom and Goodnefs of Lect. III. the parched earth in feafonable dews and rains, and by thus giving it moifture, enable it to yield nourifhment for all the numberlefs tribes which inhabit it. It is well known, that the air affords a vital principle, not only to vegetables, but to animals of every kind. It alfo gives life and body to flame, for fire will foon languifh and die away without frefh fupplies of air. Another great be- nefit which we derive from air, is the conveyance of found. Were it not for this medium, we (liould be deprived of one of the moft refined pleafures upon earth, I mean that of fecial converfation. We fhould alfo want thofe inchanting pleafures which flow from the powers of melody and mufic. Air is neceffary to fcatter abroad odours of every kind, and were it not for this element the rofc would affeft us as little, as the thorn on which it grows. I fhall conclude this article with the reflec- tion of a pleafmg and ingenious writer*. ' The air * is an element, of which avarice cannot deprive * us, and which power cannot monopolize. The ' treafures of the earth, the verdure of the fields, * and even the refrefhments of the flream, are * too often feen going only to afTifl the luxuries « of the great ; while the lefs fortunate part of * mankind, ftand humble fpedators of their in- . * Goldfmith's Animated Nature. Cli. 19. croach^ Lect. III. God in the Creation, 73 * croachments. But the air no limitations can ' bound, nor any land marks reftrain. in this ' benign element, all mankind can boafl: an equal * poffefiion ; and for this we have all equal obli- ' gations to Heaven. We confume a part of the * air for our fuftenance while we live ; and when ' we die, our putrefying bodies give back the ' fupply, which during life, we have accumulated * from the general mafs.* I fliall now defcend to the earth, and confider fome of the more eminent traces of goodnefs and wifdom with which it abounds. Our globe feems to poflefs a favourite place in the planetary fyftem ; for had it been nearer to the fun, it might have been parched and burnt up with his heat, or had it been as far removed from his influence as fome of the mod diftant planets, it might have been bound up with the rigors of froft and chilling cold; but its tempe- rature Ihews the bounty of the Creator, and be- fpeaks man its principal inhabitant, to be the object of his peculiar care. The figure of the earth is that of a fphere or globe, at leaft nearly fo*. Its rotundity is obvious to the naked eye, if no object retards our fight. When a fhip at fea is failing to the harbour, thofe upon land firft defcry the top of the maft, and as it draws nearer, * See page 30, Le6l. II. L the 74 ^/^^ Wi/dom mid Goodnefs of Lect. III. the whole body of the veflel gradually doth ap- pear. The hlgheft mountains upon earth, are no more objeftions to its globular form, than the fmall afperities on the fkin of an orange, are to its being round and fmooth. There is apparent wifdom in givmg this form to the earth. A globe admits its parts to be better compacted and united together than any other figure, and is the moft capacious of any. I may add, that a fphere is the fitteft for revolving upon its own axis j which our earth does once in twenty-four hours ; and this is called its diurnal ?Jiotion. It feems the infinite wifdom of the Creator, hath thought fit to imprefs upon all great bodies throughout the univerfe, a regular and uniform motion, and by this, to di- verfify the condition of their different inhabitants. Motion feems more congruous to the adive energy of the firll caufe, than inactivity and reft, while at the fame time it affords the ftrongeft proof of his exiftence : for it is impoflible that matter could ever move itfelf. Now, from every obfer- vation which we can make upon thofe great bodies which compofe the fyftem to which wc belong, it appears that each of them, as well as our earth, has a twofold motion. The firft of thefe is about its own axis ; and the other about the fun. What law the Almighty employed, cither to begin or contijiue the former, we know not 5 Lect. III. God in the Creation, /:> not : but we are not fo entire flrangers to what cccafions the latter. There is a law or power imprefl: upon the material world, commonly called attradion ; or in other words, a certain influence or tendency in every particle and body in nature, to draw every other particle and body to itfelf ; and this influence is always in proportion to the quantity of matter which any body doth poffefs. Now, the fun being by far the largefl; body in the whole fyftem, is of confequence poflTeft of much the greatefl fliare of this attractive power, and would therefore draw all the other planets to itfelf. To prevent and counteraft this effedl:, the great author of nature, gave at firfl: to every planet a projeftile or impulfive force, which would have made the whole, if not retarded, move for ever Forward, thro* the regions of boundlefs fpace. But the attractive power of the fun drawing them from this direction, they purfue a courfe exadly balanced between thefe contrary diredions, and each planet obeying two oppofite forces, like a ftone whirled about in a fling, circulates around the fun, the great center of heat, light and motion. In this manner, the harmony of the whole fyftem is preferved ; and all the heavenly bodies belong- ing to it, perform their revolutions about the great luminary of the fl^y, in times proportioned to their diftances, and the greatnefs of the circles L 2 which L. ^6 The Wifdovi and Goodnefs of Lect. III. •which they defcribe. In like manner, the IclTer planets obey the greater, which become, the re- fpedive centers of their different motions. And it is highly probable, that comets, which appear among us like awful and dangerous intruders, are under the influence of the fame laws. I fliall only farther obferve, that to the annual revolution of the earth about the fun, we owe the vicillitudes of fummer and winter, of heat and cold, which ferve in a great meafure to enhance many of the other comforts of human life. After its figure and motion, we fhall now con- fider the face or appearance of the earth. This confifts of two parts ; the one fohd, which we call land J and the other fluid which we call water or fea. The latter is computed to cover at leaft three quarters of the fuperficies of the whole globe. Whether the fea is now, more or lefs extenfive, than iri the antediluvian world we cannot fay, but we may judge of the immenfe quantity of water within the bofom of the mighty ocean, when, according to the computation of fome inge- nious men, were it entirely drained of its water, it would require eight hundred years for all the rivers upon earth, tho' flowing in their ufual courfe, to fill it again to its prefent dimenfion. Some endeavour to account for the faltifli or briny tafte of fea water, from the valt quantity of mine- rals Lect. Ill, God in the Creathn. 77 rals within the fea itfelf, and which are carried by rivers into it. But in my opinion, the quality of this water has been the fame from the beginning, as being neceffary for the health and life of its own inhabitants, and for many other beneficial purpofes to man and beail. Btiides, fait, together with its continued agitation, preferves the fea from putrefavlion, and from being bound up with ice. Many are the advantages which mankind derive from this element. It yields luxurious food to the tables of the poor, as well as the rich. It fends up immenfe quantities of vapours, which, when difperfed by the winds, moiften the whole globe, and give rife to fprings, and to risers. It opens a way to the remoteft corners of the earth, and makes all nations members of one large com^ munity ; by admitting them to a participation of the fame privileges in common. It has often been remarked, that there is an invariable proportion betwixt the height of the coaft, and the depth of the adjacent fea. But when we behold the angry and raging billows of the troubled ocean threat- ening deftrudtion to a neighbouring continent, we would be apt to imagine that nothing lefs than adamantine rocks could refill their impe- tuofity : yet lie who formed this awful element, * hath Jet bars and doors to it ^ and faid, hitherto' Jhalt *78 ^he Wifdom and Goodnefs of Lect.III. Jhah ihou come and no further-, and here thy proud waves fhall he Jiaid, But leaving the fea, we fhall now confine our remarks to thofe appearances, which nature pre- fents us by land. And here, the firfl: thing that ftrikes the eye of an attentive obferver, is the inequalities upon the furface of this globe. Some make ufe of thefe, as arguments of the earth's deformity ; whereas in truth, they contribute both to pieafure and to utility. * When we behold thofe lofty mountains, whofe fummits are generally inveloped with clouds, wc are ftruck with a kind of folemn pieafure. On the one hand, they expand our imagination and gratify our curiofity ; and on the other they excite the moft auguft ideas of the power and wifdom of the great archited of this fabric ; who exhibits to our \'iew, thofe ftu- pendous mafles, to humble the pride of man, and convince him how minute and trifling are all the eflays oF^luiman art and induftry, when com- pared with the grandeur and magnificence of his worksf. Mountains appear an ufeful part of the * According to the moft accurate meafurements, thf rrreateil mountains on earth do not exceed three miles in height. \ There are perhaps few places on this globe, where the above remark can be better verified, than from thofe moun- tains, which furround the celebrated lakes in Cumberland, efpecially in the neighbourhood of Kcfwick. There, the traveller Lect.III. " God in ihe Creation, yg creation, when we confider the many advantages which they yield. They conduce to the health of the fickly invalid, by giving him an opportu- nity of breathing a different and purer air. Within their bowels they contain rich treafures : and their furface produces a variety of ufeful and falu- tary plants. They afford fhelter to many crea- tures ; and fometimes to man himfelf : and they fcreen us from the blafls of cold and chilling winds. Moreover, mountains flop the progrefs of clouds and vapours, which the wind drives againft their fides, and which being condenfed by cold, give rife to fprings and rivers, fo neceflary for the fupport of animal life. The productions of this earth are commonly arranged, under the denomination of three diffe- rent kingdoms, viz. the mineral, the vegetable, and the animal. My fubjed: leads me to beftow a few remarks upon each. The mineral kingdom exifted before the other two, and furnifhed mate- rials for the fubfiflence of both. The contents of this kingdom are in general called foffils, that is, traveller beholds the watery element difplay itfelf with dig- nity and luftre ; while iflands, fields, and woods lend to each other their mutual beauties, and flompletc the enchanting fccne. But when he raifes his eye above this humbler landfcape, he is ftnick with the rugged face of nature, while at the fame time flie appears to him, clothed with awfu! ma- jcfty ;uid grriudciir. every So The Wifdom and Goodnefe of Lect. III. every thing dug out of the ground ; whether- metais, minerals, ftones, lak, earths, &c. None can give an account of the different particles of which thefe confift ; tho' much has been faid and written about the firll principles of things, or what in philofophical flile, are called atoms ; meaning, the leaft parts into which matter can poflibly be divided. But, can we conceive a portion of mat- ter fo fmall as to have no parts, or the fmalleft part whatever, capable of being divided into an infinite number of parts ? Tiie truth is, fo long as matter falls within the reach of our fenfes, we can think and talk Intelligibly about It ; but when its compofition is to us incomprehenfible, the nature of it vanifhes like the bafelefs fabric of a 'uifion. To know the effence or fubdance of any thing, is perhaps beyond the capacity of an angel, and is the peculiar province of God alone : and yet we talk, write, and difpute about elTences and fubftances, yea the fubftance of the fupreme being himfelf, as dogmatically, as we do about thofe things, with which we are intimately acquainted. Some of the greateft and moft enlightened philo- fophers, have been of opinion, that there is only one kind of matter, of the fame fubftance and form, from which every thing in the world has been produced ; and that the vaft variety fcattered over the creation, arifes from the different com- binations Lect. III. God in the 'Creation, gj binations and motions of thefe original particles* It is evident that minerals of all kinds have their growth and accretion, as well as vegetables ; tho* they were nearly coeval with the world. For we are told (;liat Tubal Cain the fifth from Adam, was an artificer of brafs and iron. Precious ftones of various kinds were well known to the Jews and Egyptians in the days of Mofes : and even the mofl rude and barbarous nations have had fome knowledge of the ores of -different metals* Minerals contribute to the happinefs and comfort of mankind, in a variety of different ways. They often ferve as a prevention and cure of bodily aijiments. They enable us to build houfes, to conftru£l veffels, to fow and to reap, and to drefs the fruits of the earth : and in fhort without them, we (hould fcarcely have any tools or inftruments for carrying on the common occupations of life. But, the kindnefs of providence is remarkable in this refpe£t, that thofe minerals and metals which are mod fubfervient to oiir benefit, fuch as iron, brafs, lead, &c. are of all others the mod common and plentiful, wherras the precious metals are more rare, and procured with greater diffici^lty ; and this is wifely ordered to preferve and enhance their value. Gold and filver, like other gifts of nature, may be proftitutcd to the moft criminal purpofes ; but it is a truth confirmed by expe- M rience. S2 The Wifdcm and Gocdnefs of Lect. III. rrencc, that thofe people, who have never hnd the ufe of money introduced among them, have ftill continued rude and ignorant, and led a fordid and favage Iffe ; whereas this admirable and con- venient mode of commutation, has carried along with it, civilization, arts, and fciences, by ren- dering it prafticable and eafy to reward and en- courage ingenuity, indufiry, and merit, and to difiufc thro' fociety, not only the neceflaries, but Siany of the comforts of human life. Doubtlefs there are various follils and minerals, intombed within the bowels of the earth, which will never be expofed to human eye ; for the greateft depth * to which avarice has ever yet penetrated below the furface of the globe, may be compared to a punc- ture made in the body of an elephant by the pro- bofcis of a gnatf. I come now to the vegetable kingdom which lies more within our view, and for that reafon affords more proofs not only of the being, but likewife of the wifdoni and goodnefs of God. ' The face of our earth is fpread over with herbs, plants, and trees ; and tho' it^ beauty is not equal to that of its primeval ilate, yet it ftill prefents us * The mod remarkable mine in Europe, is that at Cottc- herg in Hungary, which Is about i,ooo yards deep ; but the depth of the earth from the furface to the center ie above 4-iCoo miles. f Watfon'fi Chem. with Lect.III. God in the Creation, 83 with many femblances of that ddightfal paradife, where the firft of the human race enjoyed the fruits of their innocence, and were every moment feaflcd with the fpontaneous productions of nature, iis the vegetable world is the fupport of the ani- mal, the bountiful preferver of all, hath provided every plant in it with its proper food and nouriih- mcnt. When we open the earth to any depth, \vc find it compofed of difi'erent layers, which generally lie in a horizontal pofition, and increafe in denfity as we defcend. But at the furface, there is a firaiuni or layer, which is the only one fuitable for the fupport of plants. This is a light coat of blackilh mold, called by fome garden earth. We meet with a covering of this kind every where, unlefs the mold has been wafhed away with rain, or removed by feme external violence. This nourifliing earth, feems in a great meafure to be formed from animal and vegetable bodies decaying, and being converted into its fubflance. Thus by a kind of circulation, the diffolution of animal and vegetable nature be- comes the means of their renovation. This e^rtli afcends into the atmofphere, and defcends again in refrefhing Hiowcrs and foftening dews. It mixes with other elements, and abounds in all kinds of water, but efpecially in rain water, it has fuch a tendency to unite with this element, that it enters M ^ with §4 57>^ Wifdom and Goodnefs of Lect. IIL with it, as wiih a kind of vehicle into the pores of all plants whatever, and in proportion to its quantity augments their difl'erent bodies. The conftrudtion and configuration of plants is fo curious and wonderful, that it has become the ftudy, and engaged the attention of the moft in- genious and inquifitive men. In plants we find a greater profufion and variety of beauty than in all the natural world befide. Our Sjiviour re- marks this, when he mentions the fuperintend-. ing care of providence over the minuter parts of the creation, * Confidcr^ fays he, the lillies of the field how they grow ■' they toil not, neither do they f pin* And yet I fay unto you that Solomon in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of thefe. The human eye is foon fatigued with looking on the fined tints, and moft exquifite colours made by the hand of man, yet it is not fo with that colour, which the earth in general wears. It has often been remark- ed, that no colour pleafes and refreflies the fight, equal to that of green ; and it may be added as a proof of this, that in countries continually covered with fnow, the inhabitants have their fight foon impaired, and become blind long before the ufual courfe of nature. I iliall not attempt to delineate ihat exquifite and divine art, which appears in * Matt. vi. 28. tlie Lect. hi. God in the Ciceation. 85 the formatioiT of plants, nor to point out the various methods by which their feeds are dif- perfed over the earth for the prefervation of their different fpecies, as this has been frequently done by abler hands * ; but in general I fliall . trnark, that the all-bountiful Creator, hath made vege- tables to ferve as a liberal provifion fdr the fup- port of man, and myriads of creatures befides ; and the tender and watchful care which he exer- cifeth over his great family in this fublunary world, is not more apparent in any inftance what- ever, than his making every climate upon earth produce peculiar herbs and plants, which of all other are fitted for the inhabitants, both for tke purpofes of food and medicine. We fhall now rife in the fcale, and briefly fur- vey the higheft rank of created beings in this world, I mean, thofe which are endowed with life and animal motion. And here I mud premifc, that it is not an eafy matter to draw the line betwixt the vegetable and animal kingdoms. The principal diftinftion feems to conlift in this, that the former in general are unable to correft the difadvantages of their fituation, as having no fpon- * See Ray's Wifdom of God In the Creation ; and Der- ham's Phyfico-Theology. Two of the bell books for a reader of an ordinary capacity, that perhaps were ever written upon this fubjeft. taneous 86 The Wifdom and Goodncfs of Lect. ill. taaeous motion : whereas the latter^ are capable of changing their place, to feek for food and flielter, and to defend themfelves from danger. Yet it muft be allowed, that borh have many things in common ; tho' in nothing their refemblance is greater, than in this inftance, that the fame cli- mate which gives luxuriancy to the one, adds Magnitude and flrength to the other ; while on the contrary, where the plant is {tinted in its growth, the animal is llender and diminutive. Among creatures endowed with a fenfjtive foul, the gradation is wonderful, and ahnoft impercep- tible. There appears a great chafm, betwixt the fmallell infei^t, and the half reafoning elephant. Yet with what wifdom and art is this chafm filled up, fo that the feries becomes uniform and com- pleac? The limits which I have prefcribed to myfelf in this work, will not permit me to gratify the curious inquirer, with a mihute invefligation of the different parts and properties of aifimals ; yea the- fubjecl- itfelf is inexhauilible. I fhall there- fore make a few general obferv&tions, to elucidate the wifdom and beneficence of the great former of nature, in this part of his workmanihip. I have already remarked, that the doclrine of equivocal and fpontaneous generation is now generally exploded j tho' perhaps there are a few foli- Lect. III. GoJ in the Creation. %f folitary inflances of this kind to be met with. But men of great ingenuity and learning, who have made the deepeft rcfearches into the works of God, have adopted an opinion, and fupported it with microfcopical obfervations, that all nature teems with Hfe : that there are organical particles * difiufed thro' earth and water, which affume dif- ferent figures, according to the receptacles into which they happen to enter; and that thefe par- ticles at firft conftitute a foetus or beginning of an animal, which afterwards gradually increafes in growth and magnitude. However, there are three modes of generation which fall within the reach of our fenfes. The firfl is by cutting off, or fcparating parts of the fame animal. It is faid the millepedes, the earth worm, and other infecls may be multiplipl! in this manner. But of all -this clafs the mod remarkable is the polypus. This creature has a new colony fprouting from its own body ; each of which feeks its own prey, and what one devours circulates thro' the whole. If one of thefe infers be divided into a thoufand parts, every one of thefe will become a new and living animal. But the other two ways of generation are the moft common. Eitter by eggs, (fuch as produce in this manner are called oviparous) ot * BufTan. by 88 *Ihe Wifdom and Govdnefs of Lect.IIL by bringing forth their living young, (fuch are called vi'uiparous.') Time itfelf would fail, before it were poffible to enumerate the manifold inftances of divine art, which are difplayed in the figure and make of animals, and to fhew how well thefe are adapted to their different modes of li^e. How furprifing the armour, with which they are clad, either for offence or defence ? With what am^azing fkill do they, conflruifl their cells and habitations ? But that man mufl be lofl to all rational refledion and ingenuity of mind, who does not difcern and acknowledge the workmanfhip of God, in the various inllinds, with which the animal crea- tion is endowed. 1 fhall only adduce one inflance out of many thoufands ; which is, the migration Qf birds from one country to atVQther, according to the varying feafons of the year. What induces numbers of thefe, to crofs over widely extended feas ? and how do they know that they Hiall ever reach the land ? How come tjiey to fleer their courfe aright to their feveral deftinations ; which before the compafs was invented, would hardly have been attempted by the moft fkillful mariner? And what makes them afcertain the precife time of taking their different flights*? This is fo re- markable a circumflance, that it is quoted by an * The fame remark is applicable to fifliea. antient LecT. III. God ill the Creation, 8^ antient prophet, to upbraid the flupidlty of his countrymen*, Tea, the Jiork iij. the Heaven knoweth her appointed time ; and the turtle and the crane and the /wallow obferve the time of their comings but ?ny people knotveth not the judgments of the Lord, Another fuprifing indance of providence is vifi- ble, in keeping up an exact balance among the numberlefs tribes of creatures, which live upon this earth. For, were the fmalleft to multiply beyond bounds, there would not be a fufficiency of food for the larger. And were the larger, numerous in proportion to their fize, efpecially fuch as are of the ravenous kind, they would foon annihilate and deftroy the breed of the weaker. But by a juft proportion between the increafe of all animals, and the length of their lives, the world is kept abundantly furniihed with inhabitants, but not overftocked. Which verifies our Saviour's declaration, that the molt inconfi- derable creature, even 2i\fparrozv, doth not fall to the graund without our heavenly father. I^ifc could not be preferved a,mong fuch a number of creatures, were not one part of them to live upon another, and the weaker become food for the ilronger. If all animals lived upon vegeta'bles, the quantity of their provifions would foon fail. * Jcr- viii. 7. f Matt. x. 29. N There- gd The Wifdom and Goodnefs of Lect. III. Therefore, owing to a wife conftitution in nature, one animal fupports another ; and thus all take up lefs room than they would do, by living on the fame food. To make ufe of ja -familiar comparifon, *' a greater number of people may be crowded into the fame place, if each is made to bear his fellow on his flioulders." But fonie men v/ill fay, for what end were fo many creatures brought into being, fmce among many thoufand fpecies, there is fcarcely one hun- dred which contributes to the benefit of man? Such queftions as thefe, too often originate from ignorance and pride, rather than from a defire of information. He that made us, hath made us capable of invefligating as many final caufes of his procedure, as may conduce to our prefent and future happinefs ; tho* in the words of * Job, thefe are only parts of his ivays^ yet how little a portion is heard of him f I have already obferved, that the great and primary end, for which every creature was brought into exiftence was, that it might enjoy a fuitable portion of hap- pinefsf. But flill it may be faid, are all animated beings capable of happinefs, and if they are, what portion of it can they enjoy ? There is a happinefs, of which we ourfelvcs partake in common with * Job xxvl. 14. -j- See page 64. every Lect. III. God in the Crsation. 91 every living thing. Yea it is the greatefl: of all temporal bleflings, and to which. every thing elfe is fubfervient. For this rcafon, the univerfal parent hath bellowed a portion of it upon all creatures, \vl,ioni he hath endowed either with a fenfrtive or rational foul. And this is nothing but health. Where "this firft of all bleffings is wanting, fublunary pleafures of every kind ficken and lofe their relifli ; but where health flows With a free and uninterrupted current, milery will fcarcely find admittance. And this may be the aggregate of happinefs to millions of animated beings*. 1 come now to the laft and nobkft fubjed of my furvey, viz. man. There is not another creature, upon its firft being fent into life, which appears more help- lefs than man. Incapable to relieve or aiTift: him- felf, the infant's early cries and tears indicate the troubles to which he is born. This conllitutHDn of providence is v/ifely intenjded to teach us gra- titude to, and dependence upon our heavenly father, who manifefts his fuperior regard to man, in the methods by which he rears him, and in the watchful care which he exercifes over him, efpe- cially when he enters on the early and flippery * Mr. Paley remarks, that oyftcrs and cocydcs can have no liappincff but health. Mor. and Politic. Philof. N 3 paths 92 TJje Wifdom and Goodnefs of Lect. III. paths of life. The * Pfalmid: obfervcs that we are fearfully and wonde fully Ji\ade ; and indeed our very bodies bear the iti ongefl marks of divine wifdom, and of kind intcuion. But what diftin- guifhes man from every other creature upon earth, is, his being '.iiciowed with fuch fuperior capa- cities of body and mind, that by the exercife and improvement of thefe, he can rife above the whole of the inferior creation, and attain to fuch accom- pHfliments in knowledge and wifdom in this life, as to qualify him for a future ftate of endlefs and confummate blifs. To iliuftrate the fuperiorlty of man over every other animal. I fliall give his portrait, as drawn by one of the firft writers of this agef. ' Strength and majefty belong to