THE LIGHT OF NATURE PURSUED. LIGHTS OF NATURE AND GOSPEL BLENDED. CONTINUED. CHAP. XIX.. DIVINE ECONOMY. HAVING found, both from Religion and Philosophy, that universal Charity towards God and his creatures is the grand Cardinal virtue, the hinge whereon all the others turn, the end wherein they ought to terminate, let us endeavor to trace out some footsteps of the divine economy in the administration of this world: wherein it may appear by what gradual approaches God has been pleased to lead mankind towards a sound understanding of himself, and an openness of heart to one another. And this will oblige us to re-handle a subject we have already taken into consideration before: for Providence, I must own, is a favorite topic with me, and I am fond of setting it in every various light that may help to make it more clearly and more generally understood. In my XXVth Chapter of the second Volume bearing that title, I have taken pains to show that all events without exception, small as well as great, must take rise from their adequate causes, pro vided in certain knowledge and purpose of every particular effect they should bring forth. This being an esoteric doctrine, inconvenient and unfit for common use, which requires a distinction to be made between things providential, and others that are not, I have appropriated the VIth Chapter of the third Volume, to mark out that distinction, and render the wisdom and contrivance running throughout the works of nature apparent to common apprehensions. But here still remains another field of inquiry, into the scheme of polity governing mankind, and measures of conduct respecting the moral world, wherein we may take our ideas directly from experience, without making other use of speculation than to direct and model our observations into a regular plan. This may be called not so much a theory as a history of Providence of which I purpose in this Chapter to attempt an imperfect sketch. I say sketch, for a complete history would require uncommon abilities, an extensive knowledge of the world in all ages and countries, and a piercing sagacity to follow the lines of Wisdom throughout all their intricate windings. But it is the custom of Providence to perfect mighty works by a multitude of weak and unpromising instruments, each performing a small and several part of the whole for we are none of us wholly insignificant when doing our best, because that best is always the whole of our share towards completing the great design. Therefore I may safely presume that my talents are sufficient for the sphere I am to act in it is my business to fill up the sphere, that there may be no vacancies left through my negligence; and if I can make my drawings visible, with something of a shape, connection, and symmetry in them, shall think I have done great matters. Perhaps the coarse draught may stimulate and furnish hints to some abler master to produce a fuller, more striking likeness of the glorious original, which may gain the admiration of everybody, and do more extensive service than I am capable of. In these hopes I shall enter upon my undertaking without diffidence, as liable to no hazard of a disappointment, because having no expectations, and being assured that the Disposer of gifts has enabled every man to do as much as was wanted from him on every present occasion. 2. When we reflect on the boundless extent of Omnipotence, having all substances at command, and all manners of affecting them, there is no doubt that God might have distributed what portion and kinds of happiness he thought proper to his creatures, without making any preparation of subjects or materials to bring them suitable to one another: nor that he might have excited sen |