Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

confirmed in the fullest manner by the history of ages, and the researches of science. Now to a plague similar in kind, if not equal in degree, we are all continually liable, from causes, over which we have no control. If the whole world is not overrun with these, or with other creatures, as insignificant individually, and as irresistible when collected, it is because the providence of an omnipresent God retains each species in subservience to its own use, and restricted to its proper bounds. If then, any of the less powerful animals could, by their undue increase, render a fruitful land barren, how desolate might the face of nature be rendered, if the preventive care of the Almighty were for an instant remitted. And since no such general confusion is observed, we may conclude even from observation alone, that the care of God is co-extensive with his works.

How boundless, then, is even this conception of the Divine Essence. Whither can we go from His Spirit; or whither shall we flee from his presence? If we ascend up into heaven, he is there. Even the material heavens, the works of his hands, declare the glory of God: and while their simplicity and magnificence denote his wisdom, what testimony does their continuance bear to his omnipresence.

Men may, indeed, accustom themselves to the contemplation of the regular order of the universe; and calculate the operation of the forces, which act upon the several parts; until they almost persuade themselves that they have unveiled the hidden mysteries of omnipotence. They may discover with sagacity, and investigate with care, a general law; and having denominated it the law of nature, may presume that they have solved the great problem of creation. But this law, as has been already argued, supersedes not the necessity of the Divine superintendence. It is but the regular operation of a great cause, originally emanating from the will of God, and depending for its continuance upon his good pleasure. We see every where the marks of contrivance; and we conclude that there must have been a contriver. We see every where the marks of continued care; either by active interference, or by forbearing to disturb what already exists; and we thence conclude, not only that the Almighty is all wise, but that his power is every where present.

II. Such are some of the proofs, in the works of nature, by which we learn the omnipresence of God. But from his own word do we derive the most infallible proof: and

d Lecture II. IV.

[blocks in formation]

from that alone do we obtain all our knowledge of his moral omnipresence. We there read the words, which God spake, by the mouth of Jeremiah his prophet: "Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?—Can any hide himself in secret places, that I shall not see him? saith the Lord: do I not fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord." We there read also these words of the Almighty, "though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down. And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them."f "He is not far from every one of us," says St. Paul, "for in him we live and move and have our

being." "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit," says David in a strain of unparallelled sublimity; "or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

e Jer. xxiii. 23, 24.

8 Acts xvii. 27, 28.

f Amos ix. 2.

even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

If, however, we should have collected all that can be deduced from observation, and from reason, and studied all that is revealed for our learning, how imperfect would still be the estimate, which we could form, of a God present every where and always: entirely present in every place, without removal from any other actively interfering in all the works of nature, without distraction. That these things are so, we know: but we presume not to ask, "how can these things be." We dare not in our ignorance suppose, with some bold men, because man, and his world, and his pursuits, form so minute a part in the universe, that therefore he may be overlooked by the Creator of all things. To entertain such a supposition, would be to limit the incomprehensible God within the bounds of our minute comprehension. It is not that we arrogantly attribute to ourselves an importance in the realms of space, to which we have no claim. We see that no object is removed, by its minuteness, from the care of the Almighty: and we read in the word of God that "his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.' Therefore we acquiesce in the degree of know

h Psalm xi. 4.

[ocr errors]

ledge which we have; and after contemplating the heavens, the moon and the stars which he has ordained, we exclaim with humility, "What is man that thou visitest him, or the son of man that thou so regardest him?" but we believe that man is visited by the Creator of the world, and that the Son of man is regarded.

This, however, is more than a mere acquiescence in the belief of an undoubted fact. If it be an immense conclusion that there is a God, it is a no less interesting conclusion that God exists in all places, and at all times: that he is every where present, in his eternal and all pervading Spirit; that he compasseth our path, and our lying down; and is acquainted with all our ways.

Let us, then, consider some of the practical benefits, which we may and ought to derive from the continued sense of God's presence.

in

1. If we really feel that a Being, almighty power, and of infinite purity, and of unerring justice, is for ever with us; a Being to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, how careful should we be to set him always before us.

The presence of the meanest of human beings would be some check, in the most inconsiderate,

i Psalm viii. 4.

« AnteriorContinuar »