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THE

183-2-23

TESTIMONY

OF

NATURE AND REVELATION

TO THE

BEING, PERFECTIONS, AND GOVERNMENT OF GOD.

BY THE

REV. HENRY FERGUS, DUNFERMLINE.

AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TILL
THE TERMINATION OF THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE,

IN LARDNER'S CYCLOPEDIA.

"The living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all
things that are therein."-Acts, xiv. 15.

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Est enim animorum ingeniorumque naturale quoddam quasi pabulum
consideratio contemplatioque naturæ: erigimur; elatiores fieri videmur."
Cicero. Acad. Quæst.

PHILADELPHIA:

KEY & BIDDLE, 23 MINOR STREET.

........

PREFACE.

THE proofs of the Being, Perfections, and Government of God, may be indefinitely increased; for, as our knowledge of creation extends, the evidences of design multiply upon us. It is the aim of the following Treatise to show, within narrow limits, that contrivance, wisdom, and goodness, appear not in one province only, but in every department of the Universe which falls under our observation. RAY, DERHAM, and PALEY, have distinguished themselves in this branch of learning; and of their excellent works the Author has occasionally availed himself.

The subject is of universal interest, and has a paramount claim to earnest attention. Without reverence for Deity man is a degraded and forlorn prodigal: but religion felicitates and exalts our nature; and it is the first step in religion to believe that God is, and "that he is the rewarder of them who diligently seek him." Creation declares the existence of the Creator, invites us to contemplate his perfections in the works of his hand, reminds us of our relation to Him in "whom we live, and move, and have our being,” and claims our grateful adoration for his unwearied kindness towards us. To accustom ourselves to recognise the hand of God in the appearances of nature and the events of providence, to observe the adaptation of parts to each other, and the combination of means for the attainment of ends, is an exercise worthy of the high faculties which our Maker has bestowed upon us, and cannot fail to promote both our intellectual and moral improvement.

To whatever quarter we turn our eye, we find ample materials for this study. Animate and inanimate nature are alike

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