fume to conclude, That thy Happiness is blafted, because thy Hopes of an increasing Family are disappointed. He that marshals all the Starry Hoft, and fo accurately arranges every the meaneft Species of Herbs; He orders all the Peculiarities, all the Changes of thy State, with a Vigilance that nothing can elude, with a Goodness that endureth for ever. Bow thy Head, therefore, in humble Acquiefcence: Reft fatisfied, That* what

ever

If Mr. Pope understands the Maxim in this limited Senfe, he speaks a moft undeniable and glorious Truth. But if that great Poet includes whatever comes to pafs through the wild and extravagant Paffions of Men, furely no thinking Perfon, at least no Chriftian, can accede to his Opinion. What God orders, is wife beyond all Poffibility of Correction, and good above all that we can ask or think. His Decrees are the Refult of infinite Difcernment, and all his Difpenfations the Iffues of unbounded Benevolence. But Man, fallen Man, is hurried away by his Lufts into a thousand Irregularities, which are deplorably evil in themselves, and attended with Confequences manifeftly pernicious to Society. Let the Sentiment, therefore, be reftrained to the Disposals of Heaven, and I most readily fubfcribe it. But if it be extended to the Conduct of Men, and the Effects of their Folly, I think myself obliged to enter my Proteft against it: For whatever kindles the Divine Indignation is Caufe of final Ruin to the Author is ftrictly forbid by GOD'S holy Word is contrary to the whole Defign of his revealed Will, and the very Reverse of his effential Attributes. This cannot poffibly be right. This:

is

ever is, by the Appointment of Heaven, is right, is best.

A MONG all the Productions of the ThirdCreating-Day, this of Flowers feems to be peculiarly defigned for Man: A Prefent, calculated in an efpecial Manner for his Ufe and Delight. Man has, as it were, the Mo nopoly of this Favour; and scarce shares the Satisfaction refulting from it, with any other Animal. I don't find, that other Creatures are fmit with their Beauties, or regaled with their Odours. The Horfe never ftands ftill to gaze upon their Charms; nor does the. Ox turn afide to browze upon their Sweets. Senfes they have to difcern these curious Objects in the gross, but no Tafte to diftinguish their fine Accomplishments. -- Just so, carnal and unenlightened Men may underftand the literal Meaning of Scripture; may comprehend the Evidences of its Divine Infpiration; and yet have no Relish of the Heavenly Truths it teaches; no ardent Longing for the fpiritual Bleffings it offers; fee

is most undoubtedly wrong. Omnipotence, indeed, can over-rule it, and educe Good from it: But the very Notion of over-ruling, supposes it to be abfolutely wrong in itself.

no

"no Form or Comeliness" in the Saviour it describes, so as to render Him the supreme Defire of their Souls.

THE chief End of these beautiful Appearances, Philofophers fay, is to enfold and cherish the Embryo Seed; or to swathe the tender Body during its infant State. But

whatever is the chief End of Nature, 'tis certain, fhe never departs from the Defign of adminiftring Delight to Mankind *. This is infeparably connected with her other Views. Was it only to secure a reproductive Principle, what need of such elegant Complications? Why so much Art employed, and fo many Decorations added? Why should Vestments be prepared, richer than Brocades, more delicate than Lawns, and of a finer Glow than the most admired Velvets? If the great Mother had no other Aim, than

*We find that the most important Parts in the "Vegetable World, are those which are the most "beautiful. These are the Seeds by which the several "Races of Plants are propagated and continued, and "which are always lodged in Flowers or Bloffoms. "Nature feems to hide her principal Defign, and to "be induftrious in making the Earth gay and delightful, while fhe is carrying on her great Work, and "intent upon her own Prefervation." Spect. Vol. V. N° 387.

barely

barely to accommodate her little Offspring, warm Flannel, or homely Fuftian, would have ferved her Turn: Served it, full as well as the most sumptuous Tiffues, or all the Furniture of the Mercer's Shop.

IT feems plain then, that Flowers were endued with fuch inchanting Graces, for the Pleasure of Man; and, in pursuance of this original Intention, they still pay their Court to the human Race. Accordingly, the finest of each Species croud about our Habitation, and are rarely to be feen at a Distance from our Abodes. They thrive under our cultivating Hand, and obferving Eye; but degenerate and pine away, if unregarded by their Lord.- To win his Attention, and deck his Retreats, they hide their Deformities under Ground; and dif play nothing but the moft graceful Forms, and engaging Colours, to his Sight.

To merit a farther Degree of his Efteem, the Generality of them difpenfe a delightful Perfume. And, what is ftill more obligeing, referve their richest Exhalations, to

The Flow'rs,

embalm

That open now their choiceft bofom'd Smells,
Referv'd from Night, and kept for thee in Store. ·

MILT.

embalm his Morning and Evening Walks; because he ufually chooses thofe cool Hours, to recreate himself among their blooming Ranks; therefore, at thofe Hours, they are moft lavish of their Fragrance, and breathe out their choiceft Spirits.

O MAN, greatly beloved by thy Creator! The Darling of Providence! Thou art diftinguished by his Goodness; diftinguish thyfelf alfo by thy Gratitude. Be it thy one undivided Aim to glorify Him, who has been at fo much Expence to gratify thee!

While all thefe inferior Creatures, in filent Eloquence, declare the Glory of GoD, do thou lend them thy Tongue. Be thou the High-Pricft of the mute Creation: Let their Praises become vocal in thy Songs.

Adore the fupreme Benefactor, for the Bleflings He showers down upon every Order of Beings: Adore Him for numberless Mercies, which are appropriated to thyself: But above all, adore Him, for that noble Gift of a rational and immortal Soul. This conftitutes us Mafters of the Globe, and gives us the real Enjoyment of its Riches. This discovers ten thousand Beautics, which otherwife had been loft; and renders them both a Source

M