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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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» ot , interesting itself about other beings , for what is that to tis ? But if mankind be the object of the Divine care , so are the particular nations of the earth , and so , too , are the indivifor the
duals that compos ^ them : human race is nothing but a number of individuals ; and , therefore , to say that every one is neglected , is the same as to say that the whole are so . Taking * it for gran ted , there fore , that the Supreme mind vouchsafes to direct the affairs
of you and ine , what circumstances of our being are disposed by him ? What shall we say as to our place , our duration , our company , and the part we are to act ? Are all , or some only , of these appointed by God ?
If only some , which are they ? and "why they more than the rest ? Nay rather , since all the event 3 of life are so strangely interwoven with each other , how is it possible that one part of them should be ordered , and all the rest be undetermined ? Each
of us , therefore , and all his affairs , is comprehended in that compass which Providence takes in . But this rould not he , unless the affairs of other being's , to whom we are related , were also contained in the divine
order . It were easy to carry this point farther , and to trace down Providence from the stars of heaven to the most inconsiderable affairs of this lower world . But what has been
^ aid may suffice shew , that if we be once fairly brought to acknowledge ¦ ft Providence at all , we can never find where to stop , till we have allowed that this Providence extends to all
4 > eings , the lowest as well as the ihighest . Perhaps it may be sakl , tliere may be limits to the Divide Providence , though On account of the weakness of our faculties we may not discern # , nd cannot distinctly apprehend them : find therefore these arguments are
calculated rather to perplex than satisfy the mind . I grant it ; and for that very end this reasoning was "here applied , that if any were prejudiced in favour of the contrary opinion , they might see that it also has its difficulties . For when be who has
been positive in an opposite bclieff , "can fmce be made to doubt and 'heaitzate , he id come half way to conviction , and placed in the best situation for discerning the force of more di-
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rect and conclusive reasoning * . ' Stioi as , in the present case , the following appears to be . The same reasons which we have ta believe that Providence is concerned in the great affairs and revolutions of the universe , evince with equal
certainty that the Divine influence extends also to the most minute things . For why do we imagine that God governs the sun , moon and stars , but because of their beauty , order ' regular motion and beneficial effects ? And are use , beauty , order , seen only
in the heavenly bodies ? Are they not as clearly discerned in all the parts of nature , in every being with which we are acquainted ? The sea is beautiful , the streams and rivers are also beautiful . Beauty is diffused over the face of the whole earth . It is found in the barren deserts and
wilds of nature , as well as in the cultivated plains . It appears on the rugged rocks and bleak mountains , in the stately forest and shady grove . It lives through all life , both animal and vegetable . It appears in a high degree in those beings which are en--dowed with sense and mind : and in
the highest in such as are blest with reason and moral sentiments . But in some measure it is communicated to the least and meanest of nature ' s works . Every tree , plant and flower , every beast , bird , fish and insect , partake of it . Symmetry , order , a nice adjustment of parts to each other , and of the whole inward and
outward structure to its circumstances and mode of life , obtain in every creature . And as grace and beauty are every where shea abroad , so every bein # is of some use and service , and contributes in its place to the general
good . The elements furnish the materials , and are made to assist in the formation and growth of vegetables and animals , which no sooner die than their bodies tend to dissolution ,
a / nd hasten to prepare for other services . Plants and trees at once adorn the earth , and support Dhe various tribes of living creatures , which
enjoy life themselves , and administer to the welfere and preservation of each other . The very loVeest class of them is not AiBerlees , stud cduld not be wanted without sotne hrirtn to the general system . Now » i « ce order and
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512 An E&sny ^ by the late Rev . •/• Holland , on the Providence of God .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1823, page 512, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1788/page/16/
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