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pestilence may rage, but we are perfectly safe in his almighty keeping. Let us cast our care upon him; for he careth for us. 1 Pet. v. 7. Confidence in divine providence will preserve the mind in a peaceful frame, in all the varying events of this mortal life; for it is certain that God will keep our hearts in perfect peace, while we trust in him. Isai. xxvi. 3.

But, thirdly, if we desire the choice blessings of providence, let us be obedient to our Sovereign Ruler; for he smiles upon us when we obey him with perfect hearts and willing minds. Whether we suffer or enjoy, we shall prosper while we do the will of God: for "blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways." Ps. cxxviii. 1. Sin brings sorrow; but obedience fills the soul with joy and gladWe cannot trust in God while we wilfully transgress his laws. We cannot hope for his protection while we live in sin. But let us commend ourselves to him in well-doing; and when we have done what we can, we may hope for a happy termination of every providential "Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." Isai. xxvi. 4.

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CHAPTER VII.

OBSERVATIONS ON MAN.

The Bible furnishes the best history of man-It gives a correct view of his original state-of his apostasy, and mortality-of his present degraded state-the misery of this state-of his inability to save himself—The original state of man reflects honour on his Creator-His fall is a reproach to himself—Every man should study his own character.

ERRONEOUS views of man are extremely dangerous, both in the affairs of life and those of godliness. Some extol him as an angel; others degrade him as a devil; but the truth lies between these wide extremes. Self-knowledge corrects these views, and promotes a right temper and conduct in all the walks of life; while he who is ignorant of himself runs headlong into all those follies and vices that plunge poor mortals into the awful gulf of perdition. The following observations, wisely applied, will correct these complicated evils; and lead the soul, by divine grace, to that wisdom which is "profitable to direct." Eccles. x. 10.

I. The Bible contains the best history of man. In the sacred writings the real character of man is developed, in all its forms, and in all its diversified varieties. His mental powers are stated; his original worth is estimated; his subsequent vileness is exposed to view; his

weakness is made known; his wants are pointed out; his dependence on his Maker is asserted; his hopes are laid open; his fears are explained; the relation in which he stands to other beings, of various ranks and orders, is clearly revealed; and especially the relation in which he stands to the Lord of all worlds.

It evidently follows, that the man who desires to know himself should "search the Scriptures." He may read the history of nations, study what is called the philosophy of human nature, and remain ignorant of his own nature and character; but if he read the Bible, with prayerful attention, he will learn that important lesson, MAN, KNOW THYSELF. This is vastly important to every person on earth; but especially to our youth, who are just entering on the duties and difficulties of life.

II. The Scriptures inform us that man was created in the image of God; and was appointed lord and governor of this lower world.

He bore the image of God in knowledge, in righteousness, and in true holiness. Col. iii. 10; Eph. iv. 24. And he resembled God in the spirituality and immortality of his soul. His knowledge was extensive; his righteousness was correct; and his holiness was without alloy. These perfections might not be equal in degree to those of angels; but they were far superior to those which have been attained by any of his descendants. And thus, in a moral point of

view, he stood exceedingly high in the scale of created beings. May we not say that he resembled his Maker in happiness? He was not subject to suffering or to death; the creatures obeyed him; and he was placed in a beautiful garden, where all his wants were richly supplied. He had to dress and to keep the garden; but his labour was a source of pleasure and delight.

That man had strong intellectual powers, with a sound and healthy body, cannot be doubted; and that he was capable of studying the works of creation, in which the being and perfections of God shone forth with great splendour, may be admitted; but that there were duties which he owed to God, with which he could not be acquainted without divine revelation, is certain. But in that state of innocence and honour in which he stood, every thing necessary for him to know was revealed; and if he had followed the light of the Lord, the glory would not have departed from him. It was revealed to him what he might eat, and what he might not eat, on pain of death. It was revealed to him that he might govern the creatures in subordination to the divine will; and it is probable that the qualities and characters of the creatures were revealed to him, as he gave them names expressive of their natures. And we may reasonably affirm, that the duty of marriage, with the observance of the Sabbath, were subjects of divine revelation. Nor was this all: for God

taught him the first language, by which he was able to communicate his thoughts to others by suitable and appropriate words.

It is evident that the man was then, what he still continues to be, a wonderful compound of matter and spirit; for his body was taken from the dust, and his soul was immediately from the Lord God, who is called "the God of the spirits of all flesh," and "the Father of spirits." Num. xxvii. 16; Heb. xii. 9. The Lord God gave the spirit of man when he formed his body of the dust; and that spirit will return to him at death, but the dust will then return to dust. This fact is stated in the following words, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Eccles. xii. 7. But how the wide extremes of matter and spirit are united in the nature of man; or how they act on each other, we know not; yet that they are united, and that they influence each other in various ways, is a fact that cannot be denied. It appears from what we have stated, that the body is not lost in death, but returns to its original dust; nor is the soul lost in death, for it returns to God, its centre and its source; and at the resurrection these will be reunited for ever.

Man, as a compound being, was related to two worlds, the visible and the invisible. Like angels, he could contemplate the glories of the Supreme Being; like them, he could adore his

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