DESCANT UPON CREATION. IF the reader pleases to look back on page 123, he will find me engaged by a promissory note to subjoin a Descant upon Creation. To know the love of Christ; to have such a deep apprehension of his unspeakable kindness, as may produce in our hearts an adoring gratitude, and an unfeigned faith; this, according to St. Paul's estimate, is the highest and happiest attainment in the sacred science of Christianity. What follows, is an attempt to assist the attentive mind, in learning a line or two of that best and greatest lesson. It introduces the most conspicuous parts of the visible system, as so many prompters to our dull affections; each suggesting a hint adapted to the important occasion, and suited to its respective character. Can there be a more powerful incentive to devout gratitude, than to consider the magnificent and delicate scenes of the universe, with a parti cular reference to Christ, as the Creator?-Every object, viewed in this light, will surely administer incessant recruits to the languishing lamp of divine love. Every production in nature will strike a spark into the soul, and the whole creation coneur to raise the smoking flax into a flame. Ephes. iii, 19. Can any thing impart a stronger joy to the believer, or more effectually confirm his faith in the crucified Jesus, than to behold the heavens declaring his glory, and the firmament shewing his handy-work? Surely, it must be matter of inexpressible consolation to the poor sinner, to ob. serve the honours of his Redeemer written with sun-beams over all the face of the world. We delight to read an account of our incarnate Jehovah; as he is revealed in the books of Moses and the Prophets, as he is displayed in the writ. ings of the Evangelists and Apostles. Let us also endeavour to see a sketch of his perfections, as they stand delineated in that stately volume, where every leaf, is a spacious plain-every line, a flowing brook-every period, a lofty mountain.. Should any of my readers be unexercised in such speculations, I beg leave (in pursuance of my promise) to present them with a specimen ; or to offer a clue, which may possibly lead their minds into this most improving and delightful train of thinking. Should any be inclined to suspect the solidity of the following observations; or to condemn them as the voice of rant, and the lawless flight of fancy; I must entreat such persons to recol. lect, that the grand doctrine, the hinge on which they all turn, is warranted and established by the unanimous testimony of the inspired penmen : who frequently celebrate Immanuel, or Christ Jesus, as the great almighty cause of all; assuring us, that all things were created by him, and for him; and that in him all things consist. On such a subject, what is wonderful is far from being extravagant. To be wonderful, is the in separable characteristic of God and his works; especially of that most distinguished and glorious Col. i. 16, 17. Before my reader enters upon the following Descant, he is desired to peruse note, page 96. even of the divine works, Redemption: so glorious, that "all the miracles in Egypt, and the marvel"lous acts in the field of Zoan;" all that the Jewish annals have recorded, or the human ear has heard; all dwindle into trivial events, are scarce worthy to be remembered, in comparison of this infinitely grand and infinitely gracious transaction. Kindled, therefore, into pleasing astonishment by such a survey, let me give full scope to my meditations: let me pour out my whole soul on the boundless subject; not much regarding the limits, which cold criticism, or colder unbelief, might prescribe. O ye angels! that surround the throne; ye princes of heaven," that excel in strength," and are clothed with transcendent brightness! He, who placed you in those stations of exalted honour, and dignified your nature with such illustrious. endowments; He, whom you all obey, and all adore: He took, not on him the angelic form, but was made flesh, and found in fashion as a man. Like us wretched mortals, he was subject to weariness, pain, and every infirmity, sin only excepted that we might, one day, be raised to your sublime abodes; be adopted into your blissful society; and join with your transported choir, in giving glory to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and evert. O ye heavens! whose azure arches rise immensely high, and stretch unmeasurably wide: stupendous amphitheatre! amidst whose vast expansive circuit, orbs of the most dreadful grandeur are perpetually running their amazing races: unfathomable depths of æther! where worlds unnumbered float; and to our limited sight, worlds unnumbered are lost:-He who adjusted your dimensions with his span, and formed the magnificent structure with his word; He was once † Rev. v. 13, Isai. xliii, 18, |