pains or trouble in its production than a pebble does; nothing being
more evident than that an Omnipotent Spirit can indifferently
produce everything by a mere fiat or act of His will. Hence, it is
plain that the splendid profusion of natural things should not be
interpreted weakness or prodigality in the agent who produces them,
but rather be looked on as an argument of the riches of His power.

  153. As for the mixture of pain or uneasiness which is in the world,
pursuant to the general laws of nature, and the actions of finite,
imperfect spirits, this, in the state we are in at present, is
indispensably necessary to our well-being. But our prospects are too
narrow. We take, for instance, the idea of some one particular pain
into our thoughts, and account it evil; whereas, if we enlarge our
view, so as to comprehend the various ends, connexions, and
dependencies of things, on what occasions and in what proportions we
are affected with pain and pleasure, the nature of human freedom,
and the design with which we are put into the world; we shall be
forced to acknowledge that those particular things which, considered
in themselves, appear to be evil, have the nature of good, when
considered as linked with the whole system of beings.

  154. From what has been said, it will be manifest to any considering
person, that it is merely for want of attention and
comprehensiveness of mind that there are any favourers of Atheism or
the Manichean Heresy to be found. Little and unreflecting souls may
indeed burlesque the works of Providence, the beauty and order whereof
they have not capacity, or will not be at the pains, to comprehend;
but those who are masters of any justness and extent of thought, and
are withal used to reflect, can never sufficiently admire the divine
traces of Wisdom and Goodness that shine throughout the Economy of
Nature. But what truth is there which shineth so strongly on the
mind that by an aversion of thought, a wilful shutting of the eyes, we
may not escape seeing it? Is it therefore to be wondered at, if the
generality of men, who are ever intent on business or pleasure, and
little used to fix or open the eye of their mind, should not have
all that conviction and evidence of the Being of God which might be
expected in reasonable creatures?

  155. We should rather wonder that men can be found so stupid as to
neglect, than that neglecting they should be unconvinced of such an
evident and momentous truth. And yet it is to be feared that too
many of parts and leisure, who live in Christian countries, are,
merely through a supine and dreadful negligence, sunk into Atheism.
Since it is downright impossible that a soul pierced and enlightened
with a thorough sense of the omnipresence, holiness, and justice of
that Almighty Spirit should persist in a remorseless violation of
His laws. We ought, therefore, earnestly to meditate and dwell on
those important points; that so we may attain conviction without all
scruple "that the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the
evil and the good; that He is with us and keepeth us in all places
whither we go, and giveth us bread to eat and raiment to put on"; that
He is present and conscious to our innermost thoughts; and that we
have a most absolute and immediate dependence on Him. A clear view
of which great truths cannot choose but fill our hearts with an
awful circumspection and holy fear, which is the strongest incentive
to Virtue, and the best guard against Vice.

  156. For, after all, what deserves the first place in our studies is
the consideration of GOD and our DUTY; which to promote, as it was the
main drift and design of my labours, so shall I esteem them altogether
useless and ineffectual if, by what I have said, I cannot inspire my
readers with a pious sense of the Presence of God; and, having shewn
the falseness or vanity of those barren speculations which make the
chief employment of learned men, the better dispose them to
reverence and embrace the salutary truths of the Gospel, which to know
and to practice is the highest perfection of human nature.

                               THE END
.