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placency, and these of the latter with dislike. Nor is that of feeling less astonishing, the sense of which is diffused over the whole body, as that which is of absolute necessity for the comfortable existence of the animal part. And how strange is it, that, no sooner an object is felt by the hand, or any other part of the body, than an idea thereof is conceived by the mind.

Three of these centinels, or out-posts, that are more absolutely necessary for the preservation of the body, are sheltered from the injuries of the weather, or attacks of enemies, in little chambers as it were, or watchhouses.

Thus the eye, upon the approach of any danger, quickly shuts its two-leaved gates. And though the hearing and smelling have their ports continually open, yet are they not less secured, being stationed a good way back; whereas, if these intelligencers were posted entirely on the outside of the head or face, the slightest injuries might deprive us of their service, (an argument of infinite wisdom and care.)

Now, if it were not for the senses, how could the soul be charmed with the beauties of nature, receive agreeable sensations from the power of melody, delight in the fragrance of the field, relish food, or find comfort in life? These senses, in part, are indeed common to the brutal creation, but there is one faculty which man alone possesseth, which setteth him far superior to all the creatures below; and that is the power of speech, whereby he can address the Divine Being, and converse with men, which is called in Scripture, "the glory of man," Ps. xvi. 9. Xxx. 12.---lvii. 8.---cviii. 1. What a pity is it, then, that this faculty, with which God. hath so highly distinguished him above all the other creatures on earth, should be used in blaspheming and dishonouring Him, and in idle and trifling conversation!

In the head, likewise, is the brain, the fountain of the animal spirits, the principle of all sense and motion, and said to be the palace-royal of the soul: not to speak of the numerous nerves, which from it are distributed throughout the whole human system, how wonderfully is it preserved and kept from disorder by a very thin membrane of

a golden colour, called the Pious Mother! which straitly embraces it, and keeps it from quashing; round which is another more loose, but tougher and stronger: next is the skull, which is hard as a bone, and of remarkable tenacity, covered with skin and hair; thus defended, it cannot easily be injured. And as for the heart, the principal of all animal life and action, called, by some, the Sun of the little world, being that where the vital flame is constantly kept up; how carefully is it deposited in the centre of the trunk of the body! transversely in the cavity of the breast, inclosed in its own membrane, called Pericardium, which contains a transparent liquor that facilitates its motion and prevents friction.

This was doubtless that blood and water, contained about the heart, which followed the spear of that vile miscreant who pierced our Saviour's sacred side. Amazing love! that he should permit this even to be done after he was dead! that the world might be assured of the truth of his death. Oh the greatness of the wrath of almighty God, and the heinous nature of our sins, that nothing

The brutal creation, indeed, enjoy those powers in some measure after their kind; to instance only that of the dog for all. Does he not understand that which is good or hurtful for him? for, place him upon the edge of a high precipice, where, on the one side he can come from it with safety, will he not discern his danger in leaping, and shew his will in choosing to come down the other way? And if he has often done a wrong, and been frequently beaten for it, will he not thereby become sensible that that is displeasing to his owner? And if he see or hear his master coming the time he is doing that particular fault, as, for instance, lying in a bed or so, will he not shew his consciousness of it, and his fear of punishment, by his immediately leaping out, or giving over what he was doing? And does he not shew his memory, when he has lost his master, in running to the different houses or places which he used to frequent, seeking him? and his thought, or consideration, at the meeting of two ways, when running before, stopping at an uncertainty, till such time as he sees which road his owner will take? And that he is possessed with passions, is evident from his

affection for his master, fear, anger, and resentment of injuries,

Now, since brutes are thus endowed, this question will naturally occur, What pre-eminence hath a man above a beast? I answer, A very great deal. The spirit, or brutal soul, is from the earth, and answereth to man and the things of this life; and that in a very limited capacity: whereas the soul of man is from God, and answereth to God; and the things not only of this life, but also of that which is eternal, in a most extensive degree; being highly distinguished by the faculty of rationality or reason, whereby it can discriminate and clearly distinguish betwixt moral good and evil, truth and falsehood; assemble ideas, comparing one with another through means of intermediate ones; reflect and deduce causes from effects, and effects from causes, and so find out truth from error, right from wrong, a future state from a present, and delight in the contemplation of infinity itself.

What a noble creature then is the soul of man! True, indeed, it, by the fall of Adam, (as Mephibosheth falling out of his nurse's

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