LATE OF MAGDALENE HALL, OXFORD; AUTHOR OF "THE DEVELOPMENT
AND DISCIPLINE OF THE PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL POWERS ;"
"FIRST PRINCIPLES OF PAINTING AND SCULPTURE."

"The works of Nature and the works of Revelation display Religion to
mankind in characters so large and visible, that those who are not quite blind
may in them see and read the first principles and most necessary parts of it,
and from thence penetrate into those infinite depths filled with the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge."- Locke.

THIRD EDITION, ENLARGED AND IMPROVED.

LONDON:

CHARLES H. LAW, 131 FLEET STREET;
(LATE SOUTER AND Law.)

We shall take care that the testimony afforded by science to religion, be its extent or value what it may, shall be at least unbiassed and spontaneous. HERSCHEL.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY C. F. HODGSON, GOUGH SQUARE,

FLEET STREET.

то

ROBERT LEESON, ESQ.

IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF

MANY INSTANCES OF PERSONAL KINDNESS AND

FRIENDSHIP,

THIS LITTLE WORK

IS INSCRIBED BY

THE AUTHOR.

The characters of nature are legible, it is true, but they are not plain enough to enable those who run to read them.-BURKE.

Hail, Sov'reign Goodness! All productive mind!
On all thy works thyself inscrib'd we find:
How various all, how variously endow'd,

How great their number, and each part how good!
How perfect then must the Great Parent shine,
Who with one act of energy divine

Laid the vast plan, and finished the design.

BLACKLOCK.

PREFACE.

THE study of Natural Theology-studied with especial attention to the marks of Design, is but a perpetual worship of God in the firmament of his power. The stability of Natural Theology rests upon the demonstrations of physical truth; and upon the assurance of the great doctrines of Natural Theology must all proof of a Revelation be essentially founded. The truths of Natural Religion are impressed in indelible characters of Almighty Power on every fragment of the material world.

By a careful study of natural facts the infant mind will awake to a universe of intellectual inquiry: that which has hitherto been passed over as unimportant and void of interest, will henceforward become a source of endless amusement; leading towards a sublime reverence for Him whose divine wisdom and goodness is the noblest study of mankind.

The Volume here presented to the Public forms