or our condition not so-happily circumstanced as if we had been placed in some other station of life. But, let us behold this exquisitely nice res gulation of the minutest plants, and be ashamed of our repining folly. Could any fibre in their com position be altered, or one line in their features be transposed without clouding some of their beauties? Could any fold in their vestments be varied, or any link in their orderly succession be broken, without injuring some delicate property? And does not that all-seeing eye, which preserves so exact a harmony among these pretty toys, maintain as watchful a care over his rational creatures? Does he choose the properest season for the cowslip to arise and drink the dews? And can he neglect the concerns or misjudge the con. veniencies of his sons and daughters? He who has so completely disposed whatever pertains to the yegetable economy, that the least diminution or addition would certainly hurt the finished scheme, does, without all peradventure, preside with equal attention over the interests of his own people. Be still, then, thou uneasy mortal; know that God is unerringly wise; and be assured, that, amidst the greatest multiplicity of beings, he does not overlook thee. Thy Saviour has given me Permittas ipsis expendere numinibus, quid Since all the downward tracts of time O who so wise to choose our lot And regulate our ways? Since none can doubt his equal love, To his unerring, gracious will, Be ev'ry wish resign'd. Good when he gives, supremely good; Ev'n crosses, from his sov'reign hand, Are blessings in disguise. authority to assert, that thou art of far superior value, in the estimate of Omnipotence, than all the herbage of the field.-If his sacred will or dains sickness for thy portion, never dare to imagine that uninterrupted health would be more advantageous. If he pleases to withhold or take away children, never presume to conclude that thy happiness is blasted, because thy hopes of an increasing family are disappointed. He that mar shals all the starry host, and so accurately ar ranges every the meanest 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 acquiescence, Rest satisfied that whatever is, by the appointment of Heaven, is right, is best. Among all the productions of the third creat ing-day, this of flowers seems to be peculiarly designed for man. Man has the monopoly of this favour: it is conferred on him by a sort of exclu • Whatever is, is right.-If Mr. Pope understands the maxim, according to the limitation suggested above, he speaks a most undeniable and glorious truth: but if that great poet includes whatever comes to pass through the wild and extravagant passions of men, surely no thinking person, at least no Christian, can accede to his opinion. What God orders is wise beyond all possibility of correction, and good above all that we can ask or think. His decrees are the result of infinite discernment, and his dis pensations the issues of unbounded benevolence.--But man fallen man, is hurried away by his lusts into a thousand irregularities, which are deplorably evil in themselves, and attended with cousequences manifestly pernicious to society. Let the sentiment, therefore, be restrained to the disposals of Heaven, and I most readily subscribe it: but if it be extended to the conduct of men, and the effects of their folly, I think myseif obliged to enter my protest against it; for whatever kindles the divine indignation is cause of final ruin to the author, is strictly forbidden by God's holy word, is contrary to the whole design of his re vealed will, and the very reverse of his essential attributes. -This cannot possibly be right; this is most undoubtedly wrong. Omnipotence, indeed, can overrule it, and educe good from it but the very notion of overruling supposes it to be absolutely wrong in itself, sive charter. See the imperial crown, splendid and beautifully grand! See the tuberose, delicate aud languishingly fair! See all the pomp and glory of the parterre, where paint and perfume do wonders! Yet the inferior animals are neither smit with their beauties nor regaled with their odours. The horse never stands still to gaze upon their charms; nor does the ox turn aside to browse upon their sweets. Senses they have to discern these curious objects in the gross; but no taste to distinguish or relish their fine accomplishments. Just so carnal and unenlightened men may understand the literal meaning of scripture, may comprehend the evidences of its divine inspiration, yet have no ardent longing for the spiri tual blessings it offers; see "no form or comeli"ness" in the Saviour it describes, so as to render him the supreme desire of their souls. The chief end of these beautiful appearances, philosophers say, is to enfold and cherish the em bryo seed, or to swathe the tender body during its infant state.-But, whatever is the chief end of nature, 'tis certain she never departs from the design of administering delight to mankind. This is inseparably connected with her other views.-Were it only to secure a reproductive principle, what need of such elegant complications? Why so much art employed, and so 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 barely to accommodate her little offspring, "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 blossoms, Nature seems to hide her principal design, and to be industrious in making "the earth gay and delightful, while she is carrying on her great work, and intent upon her own preservation." Spect, vol. v. No. 387. warm flannel or homely fustian would have served her turn; served it full as well as the most sumptuous tissues, or all the furniture of the mercer's shop. Evident then it is, that flowers were endued with such enchanting graces for the pleasure of man. In pursuance of this original intention they have always paid their court to the human race; they still seem particularly solicitous of recommending themselves to our regard. The finest of each species crowd about our habitations, and are rarely to be seen at a distance from our abodes. They thrive under our cultivating hand and observing 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 display nothing but the most graceful forms and engaging colours to his sight. -To merit a farther degree of his esteem the generality of them dispense a delightful perfume. What is still more obliging, they reserve their richest exhalations to embalm his morning and evening walkst. Because he usually chooses those cool hours to recreate himself among their blooming ranks, therefore at those hours they are most lavish of their fragrance and breathe out their choicest spirits. O man! greatly beloved by the Creator; the darling of Providence! Thou art distinguished by his goodness; distinguish thyself also by thy gratitude. Be it thy one undivided aim to glorify him, who has been at so much expence to gra The flowers, That open now their choicest hosom'd smells, Milton. + The twining jasmine, and the blushing rose, Prior's Sol tify thee!-While all these inferior creatures in silent eloquence declare the glory of God, do thou lend them thy tongue; be thou the highpriest of the mute creation; let their praises be come vocal in thy songs.-Adore the supreme Benefactor for the blessings he showers down upon every order of beings; adore him for num berless mercies which are appropriated to thyself: but, above all, adore him for that noble gift of a rational and immortal soul.-This constitutes us masters of the globe, and gives us the real enjoyment of its riches. This discovers ten thousand beauties, which otherwise had been lost, and renders them both a source of delight. and a nursery of devotion.-By virtue of this exalted principle we are qualified to admire our Maker's works, and capable of bearing his illustrious image: bearing his illustrious image, not only when these ornaments of the ground have resigned their honours, but when the great origin of day is extinguished in the skies, and all the flaming orbs on high are put out in obscure. darkness. Then to survive; to survive the ruins. of one world, and to enjoy God-to resemble God-to be "filled with all the fullness of God," in another-What a happiness, what an inestimable happiness is this! Yet this is thy privilege, (barter it not for the trifles of an hour!) this thy glorious prerogative, O man! O the goodness, the exuberant goodness of our God! I cannot forbear celebrating it once. more, before I pass to another consideration.How much should we think ourselves obliged to a generous friend, who should build a stately edifice purely for our abode! But how greatly I cannot persuade myself that the comparison is stretched beyond proper bounds when carried to this pitch. It is my stedfast opinion, that the world, at least this lower world, with its various appurtenances, was intended purely for man; that it is appropriated to him, and that |