from the smallest particle of matter up to the greatest object, which falls within the compass of human sight; and the question will arise, on what does this depend? Rise as high on this ascending series as imagination can soar, and the same question will return, till we fix on that Being, who is uncreated, eternal, and self-existent. This is the central point, from which every thing proceeds; to which every thing gravitates, and by which every thing is sustained.

In the natural world there are evident marks of design, of wise design. There is a just proportion between the different parts of creation. The mountains are weighed in scales and the hills in a balance. So exactly equipoised, are the spheres, which compose our system, that they perform their rotations, and revolutions in stated times. This curiously organized machine was not fitted up merely to make a display of mechanical skill. It is calculated to answer the most valuable purposes. There is a happy subserviency between the different parts of the system. The inanimate part of the world affords support to the brutal creation; and both afford support and enjoyment for mankind. The earth is covered with a great variety of the richest productions; the heavens are spread out like a curtain; and ornamented with shining and useful orbs. The elements are combined to sustain the life, and promote the enjoyment of all classes of creatures, from the smallest insect to the lord of this lower world. It is impossible to account for this just proportion, this mutual subserviency of different parts; and this wise design in every part, unless we trace them all to an infinitely wise Creator and Governor. When we see a machine of curious construction, and calculated for some valuable purpose, we never suppose that it derived its origin from a casual combination of parts. But we trace it to mechanical skill and design. With equal propriety we may trace the great machine of the universe to the incomparable skill, and benevolent design of a divine Artist.

The occurrence of events, which cannot be controlled by human power, and the accomplishment of ends by means directly contrary to those, which human wisdom employs, are an argument in favor of the existence of God. The rise of vapor, the formation of clouds, the fall of rain, the artillery of the skies, the succession of day and night, the rotation of the seasons, the rise, progress, and decline of the vegetable kingdom, manifest a superhuman power. Human wisdom is often employed to effectuate some design. All the energies of the mind are called into operation for the invention of means to ensure success. Exertion is so employed and a train of events is so arranged, that not a doubt of success obscures the prospect. But it frequently happens that the wisdom of the wise is brought to nought; that events take a retrograde course; and the most sanguine expectations are blasted. As if nature had changed her laws, the most promising circumstances become adverse; and the design, which was almost accomplished, proves abortive. On the other hand, when adverse events take place in rapid succession; when nothing but the severest trials appear in prospect; and it is beyond human power to turn the current of events, something unforeseen takes place, stays the progress of adversity, and discloses delightful prospects. History, both sacred and profane, give abundant evidence of the general government and special interposition of a Being, infinitely more powerful and wise, than the

most exalted creature.

The general sentiment of mankind is in favor of the existence of God. It is probable that every nation and tribe on earth believe the existence of a supreme Being. However remote from each other, and however destitute of intercourse with the rest of the world, they all appear to coincide in this one sentiment, there is a God. The Creator has not left himself without witness. He originally impressed his image upon humanity. When this moral likeness was

effaced, a fearful belief of his existence still remained. This sentiment must have been generally engraven upon the human mind; or irresistible evidence from the works of nature must have been communicated to the senses. Those, who have traced the works of nature; viewed her operations; and studied her laws, have inferred that they depend on a first Cause. The untutored tribes of the wilderness, without any regular process of argumentation, have drawn the same conclusion. The learned and the barbarian have traced the footsteps of the Deity on earth; and have read his name in the firmament written with letters of light.

Further, mankind have always felt a dependence on some remote cause; they have felt a consciousness of responsibility; and they have always looked to some being as the object of their greatest fears, or of their greatest hopes. A consciousness of right and wrong is inherent in the human mind. The Gentiles had this law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness. As the instinct of brutes enables them to distinguish between salubrious and noxious food, and instigates them to self-defence, or to flee from danger; so a moral sense in man distinguishes between good and evil; and would persuade him to contend against spiritual enemies, or escape from them. This moral sense dwells not on abstract principles, but extends its views to that Being who is the Standard of moral excellence, the supreme Arbiter of moral actions, the Disposer of retributions.

Some have argued against nature, against consciousness, against reason, against the senses; and they have concluded that there is no God. On the boundless regions of chance they find the origin, the support and control of every thing. According to their own principles, it was by chance they formed this sentiment; by chance they may change it; and if they should fall into the belief of a God, they will find it to be not an act of chance, but a solemn reality. These

aberrations from the great mass of mankind prove that there are established laws, from which they deviated; and they prove that there may be monsters no less in the intellectual, than in the brutal world. The general sentiment of mankind furnishes abundant proof that there is a God; and that he has given evidence of his existence.

cause.

The sacred scriptures not only declare that there is a God, but they are themselves an evidence of his existence. In every production we look for an adequate cause. What is not superior to human power may be attributed to that power. But what far exceeds human exertion must be traced to a higher That system of religion, recorded in the Bible, infinitely exceeds any human production. The ingenuity of man has often been tried to form a system of religion; but their best productions have betrayed the weakness, or baseness of their authors. But the christian system displays a depth of wisdom, to which human ingenuity can never attain, and which it can never fathom. Its morality is unblemished. Its piety is pure and fervent. Its exhibitions of the Deity are indescribably sublime. Its method of salvation embraces, at once, the most striking displays of wisdom, power, and goodness. Its retributions are admirably calculated to animate the hopes and rouse the fears of the human soul. The more its parts are examined and compared, the more visible will be their harmony. The more minutely it is investigated, the more clearly will its perfection appear. deeper researches are made into this system, the more amazing will appear its length and breadth, its height and depth. When human wisdom has gone to its utmost extent, it can only stand on the borders of this divine system; admire its amazing dimensions; and exclaim, "O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!"

The

In the formation of substance out of nothing, and in the support of the universe are the highest conceivable

displays of power. Almighty power alone could create and support the world. The organization of the universe; its regulations; the correspondence and subserviency of its various parts; the control of events, by which important ends are attained by indirect means, manifest a wisdom unlimited in degree, and in its operation. The abundant means of support, convenience and delight, which are bestowed on mankind; the connexion of the highest happiness with duty; the means, which are employed to repair the ruins of human nature; the sacrifice which was made for rebellious creatures, and the provision, which is made for their future enjoyment, are the most striking displays of benevolence and goodness. Nothing but mercy and love, which knew no bounds, could have made such communications to this ungrateful, this rebellious world. The Being, in whom these infinite perfections dwell, is the Creator, the Governor and Savior of the world. He is God.