all that I could fay would be but a repetition of what has already been written by the many learned and ingenious Naturalifts, whofe fole aim it has been to demon→ ftrate the exiftence and perfec, tions of GOD from the works of Creation. Ifhall therefore take it for granted, that as GOD is wife and good, all his works and appointments must be the effects of wifdom and goodnefs.

Upon this principle, every crea ture of GOD is good in its kind; that is, it is fuch as it ought to be. For to fuppose otherwise, is to arraign the divine Wisdom for making it fuch as it is. And as every creature is good in its kind, and did not make itfelf what is

is, but is fuch as it is folely by the will and appointment of GOD; it follows, that whatever its perfections or defects may be, they cannot be owing to any merit or demerit in the creature itself, being, not prior, but consequential to its creation. There is not therefore in nature any foundation for pride on account of perfection, nor for contempt on account of defect. Subordination is as neceffary in the natural, as in the political world; it connects the whole together, and makes the creatures dependent upon, and fubfervient to each other; and it preferves that harmony, variety, beauty, and good order, which would be, loft in a perfect fameness and equality.

Every creature is to be confidered as a wheel in the great machinery of Nature; and if the whole machine is curious and beautiful, no wheel in it, however small, can be contemptible or useless. In fome animals, their ufefulness (which to us is their perfection) is fubfervient and owing to their defects. Confequently, to despise or abuse them for being defective, is to despise or abuse them for being useful. The moft ugly animals, though we knew no other use of them, may be confidered as a foil, like the fhades in a good picture, to set off the beauties of the more perfect. And even the loathsome vermin are not without their use, when they compel us to preserve neatness

B 3

and

and cleanliness in our houses and

perfons,

An Animal, whatever it be, or wherever it is placed in the great Scale of Being, is fuch, and is fo placed by the great Creator and Father of the Universe. At the Top of the fcale of terreftrial animals we fuppofe MAN; and, when we contemplate the Perfections of Body, and the Endowments of Mind, which, we prefume, He poffeffes above all the other animals, we justly suppose, Him there conftituted by his Maker. But, in this bighest rank, we may obferve degrees and dif→ ferences, not only as to fature, beauty, ftrength, and complexion, but also as to thofe very Powers

of

of the Mind, which fo eminently diftinguish Men from brutes. Yet, in one particular we all agree alike, from the most perfect to the most dull and deformed of men, and from him down to the vileft brute, that we are all fufceptible and fenfible of the mifery of Pain; an evil, which though neceffary in itself, and wifely intended as the fpur to incite us to self-preservation, and to the avoidance of deftruction, we nevertheless are naturally averfe to, and fhrink back at the apprehenfion of it. Superiority of rank or ftation exempts no creature from the fenfibility of pain, nor does inferiority render the feelings thereof the less exquifite. Pain is pain, whether it be inflicted on man or on beaft; and