PREFACE. FORTY years ago, the AUTHOR felt the want of a Book like that, which is now offered to the Public in the following pages. At that period of his life, he wished a selected and concentrated view of such facts and reasonings on the Creation, intellectual design, and Divine economy of the World we inhabit, as would correspond with the other knowlege he was acquiring; and which at the same time should be so conceived and shaped, as to suit the modern topics and style of thought and reasoning, in which the philosophical subjects that interested him, were beginning to be presented. Finding none at that time so collected and represented, as to satisfy his young curiosity, or sufficiently adapted to meet the ideas and difficulties that were arising around him, he was obliged to make such outlines of this great subject for his own information, as occasional studies and opportunities 44 enabled him to form. Amid these Sketches for his private use, a latent desire insensibily occurred, to attempt, at some part of his life, to supply, for the service of others who should participate in these sentiments, what he found to be necessary for his own satisfaction. Gradually this wish increased into a more determining purpose, and has, as other motives concurred, produced the resolution in his mature age, of endeavouring, for the benefit of younger minds who may reason and feel as he did, to arrange and complete those contemplations and phenomena of the existing System of Nature, which have been so advantageous to the progress of his own mind, and so largely contributory to his personal happiness. It is a great gratification to think and read on these subjects. What has given more pleasure, to those who cultivate them on right principles, than Dr. PALEY'S intelligent work on Natural Theology? The Author cannot forget the enjoyment which he received from it on its first perusal. To exhibit the Divine Mind in connexion with the production and preservation, and with the laws and agencies, of visible nature-and to lead the youthful |