SACRED TRUTHS:. DEMONSTRATED FROM A SURVEY OF THE HEAVENLY BODIES.

[Continued from page 66.]

ET us proceed a step farther,

parable provifion is made for the world's good, by the particular motions that are given to the earth and heavens, namely, their diurnal and periodical motions.

As to the diurnal motion, there is great probability that our earth, and all the heavenly bodies, have a rotation round their feveral axis; not all performed indeed in the fame space, or length of time, but fome in longer, fome in fhorter times; each time making what we call a day in thofe feveral globes, equivalent, although not equal, to the circumvolution of our earth in 24 hours.

This diurnal rotation is visible in many of the heavenly globes, and highly probable in our own. In the fun it it very manifeft from the equable motion of its fpots, which fometimes appear on its difk, and have been obferved formerly by Galilæo, and our countrymen Mr. Gafcoigne, Mr. Boyle, Dr. Hook, Dr. Halley, Mr. Flamiteed, and others. Thefe fpots have manifeftly a motion, and the fame motion too, as that of a globe moving round upon its poles: for we may perceive them to be perpetually shifting their places from the eastern to the western limb of the fun; and in thus doing, their daily ftages and motion exactly correfpond to the motion of a globe;

that is, thofe ftages are shorter, and the motion of the fpots feemingly flower towards the fun's limb, but near the center of the difk, larger and fwifter; and all in exact proportion.

As they manifeftly demonftrate the fun to be a moving globe, turning round once in fomewhat above 25 days, fo they manifeft themfelves to be fomething adhering unto, or nigh the fun's globous body, by means of the different appearance they have in the dif ferent parts and pofitions of the fun as in the middle of the disk, if they are round, towards the limb they become more and more oval or long, juft as fuch a like spot on a common globe would appear when it is turned fo as to be viewed by us fideways, or going out of fight. And lastly another thing obfervable in and from these spots is, that they defcribe various paths or lines over the fun, fometimes ftrait, fometimes curved towards one pole of the fun, fometimes towards the other, exactly coirefponding to the different pofitions of the earth in refpect of the fun throughout all parts of the year.

Thus in that vast mass, the fun, we have manifeftly a diurnal motion, or circumvolution, round its axis; a motion conftant and regular, and doubtlefs of as great use to fome office or other, in fome part or other of the univerfe, as the motions of the earth, are to the inhabitants thereof: and a motion therefore this is, demonftrating the concurrence of the Almighty.

[To be continued.]

PHY.

O F THE

TOUCAN.

HE Toucan is a native of the

TH
TBrafils, by fome called the

Brafilian Magpye, and by modern aftronomers, who have erected its figure into a constellation, it is called the American Goose; though there is nothing in it which can justify either appellation. It is particularly diftinguished for the enormous bignefs of the beak, which is very nearly equal in length to the body of the bird, and little inferior in thickness. The bird is but light, and not ftrongly put together; nor would it be able to carry this monftrous beak, were it of any confiderable thickness: but it is hollow, like that of the Raven of the Eaft Indies, and, though of great ufe to the creature, is of very little inconvenience as a burden.

The bird is not larger than one of our fmalleft pigeons; its back is black; but with a tinge of grey: its head and its rump are red, very bright and beautiful. The belly alfo is of the fame glowing red colour, and the breaft is of a goldyellow; but, notwithstanding, with a tinge of the fame red thrown over it. The beak is yellow; the upper part deeper, and the under paler; and it is all the way notched on both fides, in the manner of the edge of a faw. The bird is ef teemed a great curiofity, even where it is a native; and in the provinces of South America it is often bred up tame in their houses. In its wild flate it feeds on fruits, and particularly on pepper, which is the general food of it and all its kind for though thus fingular in

its beak, it is not fingle in it, but is only one of three or four. The ufe of the beak is for ftripping off the pepper, and fruits of a like fort from the stalk; and this all of the kind do with a furprizing quickness.

When we contemplate the bird creation, the prodigious variety in their bills, wings, and claws, cannot fail to ftrike us; nor can we imagine, that all thefe different forms are no more than the mere play of nature, when we fee how exquifitely defigned and accommodated is every part of the creation. A nearer and more accurate furvey will tend abundantly to convince us, that all these various parts in different creatures are calculated for the accommodations of their wants. They are a fet of implements proportioned, by the allwife and original Defigner, to the nature of their labours and manner of life. And he who wants to be fatisfied of this, will do well only to confider a few inftances, which will give him an additional proof of God's care of his creation, and of his confummate wifdom, which planned and which perfected this amazing fcheme of things. More ftriking inftances cannot be produced-than this before us from which let the Speculift turn to the little hard-beak'd Sparrow, and other fmall birds, which live upon feeds,-to the Woodcock, the Snipe, the Curlew, which extract their aliment from the earth--the Wood-pecker, whofe horny bill is employed in picking infects from the hard wood-to the Heron, the Stork, the Swan, the ' Goofe-and he will be affured, that thefe too, however minute, proclaim a wife and good Creator.

TRUE DEVOTION,

THE NATURE AND EFFECTS OF

D

EVOTION is the lively exercife of those affections, which we owe to the Supreme Being. It comprehends feveral emotions of the heart, which all terminate on the fame great object. The chief of them are, veneration, gratitude, defire, and refignation. It implies, firft, profound veneration of God. By veneration, I understand an affection compounded of awe and love; the affection which, of all others, it best becomes creatures to bear towards their infinitely perfect Creator. Awe is the firit fentiment that rifes in the foul, at the view of his greatnefs. But, in the heart of a devout man, it is a folemn and elevating, not a dejecting emotion; for he glows, rather than trembles, in the Divine presence. It is not the fuperftitious dread of unknown power, but the homage yielded by the heart to him who is, at once, the greatest and the best of Beings. The good nefs which we adore in him, is not like that which is common among men. It is the goodness of a perfect Governor, acting upon a regular extenfive plan; a steady principle of benevolence, conducted by wisdom; which, fubject to no variableness or shadow of turning, free from all partiality and caprice, incapable of being either foothed by flattery, or ruffled by refentment, refembles, in its calm and equal luftre, the éternal ferenity of the highest heavens. Thy mercy, O Lord! is in the heavens, and thy faithfulnefs reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteoufness is like the great 4

mountains, and thy judgments are a great depth."

Such are the conceptions of the great God, which fill with veneration the heart of a devout man. His veneration is not confined to acts of immediate worship. It is the habitual temper of his foul. Not only when engaged in prayer or praise, but in the filence of retirement, and even amidst the occupations of the world, the Divine Being dwells upon his thoughts. No place, and no object, appear to him void of God. On the works of nature, he views the impreffion of his hand; and in the actions of men, he traces the operation of his Providence. Whatever he beholds on earth, that is beautiful or fair, that is great or good, he refers to God, as to the fupreme origin of all the excellence which is fcattered throughout his works. From thofe effects, he rifes to the first cause. From those streams, he afcends to the fountain whence they flow. By thofe rays, he is led to that eternal fource of light in which they center.

Devotion implies fincere devotion to God, for all his benefits. This is a warmer emotion than fimple veneration. Veneration looks up to the Deity, as he is in himfelf; gratitude regards what he is towards us. When a devout man furveys this vaft univerfe, where beauty and goodness are every where predominant; when he reflects on thofe numberlefs multitudes of creatures, who, in their different ftations, enjoy the bleffings of existence; and when at the fame time he looks up to an Univerfal Father, who hath thus filled creation with life and happiness, he adores that difinterefted goodnefs, which prompted the Almighty

many

to raise up fo orders of intelligent beings, not that he might receive, but that he might give and impart; that he might communicate to the fpirits which he formed, some emanations of his felicity.

;

The goodness of this Supreme benefactor he gratefully contemplates, as difplayed in his own state. He reviews the events of his life and, in every comfort which has fweetened it, he difcerns the Divine hand. Does he remember with affection the parents under whose care he grew up, and the companions with whom he paffed his youthful life? Is he now happy, in his family rifing around him, in the fpoufe who loves him, or in the children who give him comfort and joy? Into every tender remembrance of the paft, and every pleafing enjoyment of the prefent, devotion enters; for in all those beloved objects, it recognizes God. The communication of love from heart

to heart, is an effufion of his goodness. From his infpiration, defcends all the friendship which ever glowed on earth; and therefore, to him it juftly returns in gratitude, and terminates him.

on

But this life, with all its interefts, is but a small part of human exiftence. A devout man looks forward to immortality, and difcovers ftill higher fubjects of gratitude. He views himself as a guilty creature, whom Divine benignity has received into grace; whofe forfeited hopes it has restored; and to whom it has opened the most glorious profpe&ts of future felicity. Such generofity, fhewn to the fallen and miferable, is yet more affecting to the heart, than favours conferred on the innocent He contemplates with aftonishment, the labours of the Son of God, in accomplishing redemption for men ; and his foul overflows with thankfulness to him, who loved us, and

washed us from our fins in his own blood.

CLERICUS.

FORMS OF DEVOTION.

A PRAYER FOR MONDAY MORN

ING.

Almighty and moft gracious

mercy to all that call upon thee in truth. On thee we continually depend, and each returning day bringeth fresh inftances of thy favour and loving kindness towards us. In the morning therefore would we direct our prayer unto thee, and would humbly offer up our grateful acknowledgments and adorations. We thank thee that thou haft hitherto granted us the neceffaries and many of the conveniencies of this prefent life. But we would especially adore and bless thee for the spiritual bleffings conferred upon us through Jefus Chrift the Son of thy love. Affift and enable us, we beseech thee, this day, and all our days, to live not unto ourfelves but unto thee, and to glorify thee in our bodies and spirits which are thine.

We are afhamed to reflect that we have in many inftances carried it ungratefully and difingenuously towards thee, and have tranfgrefied thy holy and righteous law both by omitting the duties which are there required, and by doing thofe things which thou haft there forbidden. If thou, Lord, shouldeft be extreme to mark what we have done amifs, we could not abide the trial of thy ftrict juftice. But it is our great comfort, that with thee there is mercy, and with thee there is plenteous redemption. And fince it hath pleafed thee, in thy great love to mankind, to exalt thy Son Jesus Chrift to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remiffion of fins; we beg that thou wouldeft be graciously

graciously pleafed through him to work in us a fincere repentance, and to grant us the full and free remiffion of all our offences. Oh fend thy fpirit to fanctify us in all our faculties and powers, that we may be renewed after thine image in knowledge, righteouinefs, and true holinels. Let us love thee, the Lord our God, with all our hearts, who alone art infinitely amiable, the fountain of all perfection and happiness, and let a continual fear of thee poffefs and govern our minds, that we may not allow ourselves in any thing that is contrary to thy holy nature and will. Let us walk continually as in thy fight, and exercife a conftant dependance on thy wife and pood providence. And from a perfuafion that thou orderest all things really for the beft, let us learn to caft our cares and burdens upon thee, and refign ourselves wholly to thy difpofals. May we be daily looking unto Jefus the author and finisher of our faith, and have his bright example ever in view as our great pattern, and feel the facred constraints of his wonderous love.

Lord keep us from deceiving ourfelves with a dead inoperative faith. Let us fo believe as to maintain good works, and let the obedience we yield be free and ingenuous, having respect unto all thy commandments.

O God, who fearcheft the hearts and trieft the reins of the children of men, clean fe thou us from our fecret faults, but especially deliver us from prefumptuous fins, and let them not have dominion over us. Turn away our eyes we beseech thee, from beholding vanity, and quicken us in thy way. Incline

which are above, and not be carnally minded, which is death; but be fpiritually minded, which is life and peace. Grant, O most mer. ciful heavenly Father, that through the gracious affiftances of thy good fpirit, we may grow up in all holinefs and goodness to the true perfection of our natures. And let us fo fulfil the work which thou haft given us to do here on earth,' that after having ferved our generation according to thy will, we may enter into the joy of our Lord.

Let thy way, O God, be known upon earth, and thy falvation unto all people. Have mercy in an ef pecial manner on thefe nations of Great Britain and Ireland. Heal our backflidings, and revive our languifhing love and zeal. Let all in authority over us rule us in thy fear and to thy glory. And let thy mercy extend to all orders and degrees of perfons. Protect us this day by thy good providence, and guide us by thy fpirit. Keep us from trifling away precious time, and affift us in every part of duty in which we shall be engaged. And grant us whatfoever thou feeft we really ftand in need of for our bodies and for our fouls, through Jefus Chrift our Lord, in whom thou art always well pleafed, and in whofe comprehenfive words we fum up all our petitions, faying,

OUR Father who art heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, &c,

BOOK OF PSALM S.

PARAPHRASE AND EXPOSITION ON PSALM X,

EITHER the author, nor

and not unto covetoufnefs, Since the time is short let us ufe this world fo as not to abufe it, confidering that the fashion of this world paffeth away, and let us feck the things

Nthe

this Pfalm, is certainly known; but, it is, as bishop Patrick obferves, a moft lively defcription of wicked men, when they have.

power,