Ibß THE IMPROVEMENT OrTHE MIND. XVIII. Questions about the powers and operations of na- ture, may also sometimes come into the lawyer's cognizance especially such as relate to assaults, wounds, murders, &.c. remember, I have read a trial of a man for murder by drowning, wherein the judge on the bench heard several arguments con- cerning the lungs being filled or not filled with water, by inspi- ration or'expiration, &c. to all which he professed himself so much a stranger, as slid not do him any great honour in public. XIX. But I think no divine who can obtain it, should be utterly destitute of this knowledge. By the assistance of this study he will be better able to survey the various monuments of creating wisdom in the heavens, the earth and the seas, with wonder and worship : and by the use of a moderate skill in this science, he may communicate so much of the astonishing works of God in the formation and government of this visible world, and so far instruct many of his hearers, as may assist the trans- fusion'of the same ideas into their minds, and raise them to the same delightful exercises of devotion. O Lord, howmanifold are thy works? In wisdom hast thou made them all ! They are sought out by all that have pleasure in them. Besides, it iswor- thy of the notice of every student in theology, that he ought to have some acquaintance with the principles of nature, that he may judge a little how far they will go ; so that he may not be imposed upon to take every strange appearance in nature for a miracle, that he may reason the clearer on this subject, that he may better confirm the miracles of Moses and of Christ, nor yield up his faith to any pretences of prodigy and wonder, which are.either -the - occasional and uncommon operations of the ele- ments or the crafty sleights of men well skilled in philosophy and mechanical operations, to delude the simple. XX. The knowledge also of animal nature and of the ra- tional soul of man, and the mutual influence of these two ingre- dients of our composition upon each other, is worthy the study of a divine. It is of great importance to persons of this character and office, to judge how far the animal powers have influence upon such and such particular appearances and practices of man- kind ; how far the appetites or passions of human nature are owing to thsrflesh and blood, or to the mind ; how far they may be moderated, and how far they ought tobe subdued ; and what are the happiest methods of obtaining these ends. By this sci- ence also we may be better informed, how far these passions or appetites are lawful, and how far they are criminal, by considers ing how far they are subject to the power of the will, and how far they may be changed and correctedby our watchfulness, care and diligence. It comes also very properly under the cognizance of this profession, to be able in some measure to determine questions
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