DISCOURSE X. 213 and ranged them all in their proper situations, and there ap- pointed-them to fulfil ten thousand useful purposes, and -that not only towards this little ball of earth, but to a multitude of upper planetary worlds? Have you never enquired into the wonders of his wisdom in framing the bodies, the limbs, and' the senses of millions of animals, birds, and beasts, fishes,, and insects, as well as men all around, this globe, and who bath framed all their organs and powers of nature with exquisite skill, to see and hear, to run and fly, and swim, to produce their young in all their proper forms andsizes, furnished with their various powers, and to feed and nourish them in their innumerable shapes and colours, admirable for strength and beauty ? And have you not felt your souls filled with devout adoration at the unspeakable and infinite contrivances of a God ? " And not only his works of creation, but of his providence too have afforded some pions souls such devout amazement. What astonishing wisdom must that be which has created man- kind on earth near six thousand years ago, and by his divine word- in every age continues to create them or give them being, with all the same natural powers and parts, beauties. and excel- lencies ! That he hath wisely governed so many millions of ani- mals with living souls or spirits in them, so many millions of in- telligent creatures, endued with a free will of their own to chuse or refuse what they will or will not do, and bath managed this innumerable company of beings in all ages, notwithstanding all their different and clashing opinions and- customs, their crossing humours, wills and passions in endless variety, and yet hath made them all subservient to his own comprehensive designs and purposes through all ages of the world, and all nations on earth ! What inconceivable wisdom is that which hath effectually ap- pointed them all to centre in the accomplishment of his own eter- nal counsels ! And with what overwhelming amazement will this scene appear, when he shall shut up the theatre of this earth, and fold up the heavens as a curtain, and this visible structure of things shall be laid in ashes? What an astonishing view must this be of the all- surveying knowledge, all - compre- bending wisdom of a God, and with what holy and humble plea. sure must the pious soul be filled who takes in and enjoys this scene of infinite varieties and wonders ? How near doth such an hour approach to the bliss of heaven and the raptures of contem- plation, which belong to the blessed, inhabitants of it ?" 3. I might add something of the almighty power of God in his government of the world, in his kingdoms of nature and providence. " Did not the angels rejoice at the birth -day of this Universe, and those morning stars shout for joy at the first ap- pearance of this creation ; Job. xxxviii. 7. And what the inha- bitants of heaven make their song, may not a holy soul be enter- 3
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