EVIDEiCES OF FORGIVENESS. 191 That he make them known: that byways suited to his infinite wisdom he both declare that such propertiesbe- long to him, and what is their nature as far as the crea- ture is able to apprehend it. He works to make known his power, to declare his name through the earth. Ròm. 9 : 17-22. So it is said, that by the works of creation " that which may be known of God" is made manifest. Rom. 1 : 19, 20. And what is that l Even the natural essential properties of his being; his " eternal power and Godhead." To this head are referred all those pro- mises of God, that he would glorify himself, and the prayers of his saints that he would do so, and the at- testations in the Scripture that he bath done so. He bath made known his wisdom, holiness, power, goodness, self-sufficiency, and similar perfections of his nature. He must also Obtain an ascription ofpraise and glory to himself up- on their account. His design is to be " admired in all them that believe," 2 Thess. 1: 10; that is, that with an apprehension of his excellences, and as he bath revealed them, they should admire, adore, glorify and praise him, worship, believe in and trust him in all things, and seek the enjoyment of him as an eternal reward. Even the inanimate and the animal creation ascribe unto God the glory of his properties, by what they are and do. By what they are, and their obeying the law of their nature, they give unto God the glory of that wis- dom and power whereby they are made, and of that sovereignty whereon they depend. Hence nothing more frequent in the praises of God of old than the calling of the inanimate creatures, heavenand earth, winds, storms, thunder, and the beasts of the field, to give praise and glory to God : that is, by what they are they do so, in- asmuch as from the impression of God's glorious excel- lences upon them they are made manifest. Involuntary praise is also rendered by some rational
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