Unereated existence is uncaused, eternal and immutable. Created existence must be caused by the Creator; it must begin to be; and it is, in its nature, dependent and mutable. All beings, that exist, except God, are creatures. He is the Creator of the heaven and the earth. 2. We may notice the number of creatures which God has made.

In some respects they are numerous beyond number, or above our power to compute. Yet, in their nature and essence, there can be but two kinds of created existence, intelligent and unintelligent; or spiritual and material. There is reason to believe, that spirit, in every instance, is the same thing, in its simplest essence; and that matter, in its essence, is always the same thing. Yet God has formed matter into such varieties, that the number of material existences is beyond our conception. Nor less various and numerous are spiritual existences. He has made many sorts of creatures and vast numbers of each sort.

3. We may observe the order of the work which God has done in creation.

Each part of the work is so done and each creature so formed, as to be prepared and adapted to other parts and other creatures. Every creature and thing and form and mode is fitted to the whole system. And the whole system is in perfect agreement with each part. There is no deficiency, nor any superfluity. There was needed nothing, that did not exist; nor was any thing, that did exist, needless. As God created the heaven and earth, there was no discord, nor any disorder.

4. We may mention the usefulness of the creatures, which God created to make.

Light, the first thing which God caused from chaos, is useful. The sun, the moon and stars are so made and so placed, that they produce great and good effects. The air is useful; and extends its benefits through the system. Nor less useful is the water and the earth. All creatures and things, in some way, answer important purposes, Their utility is various and extensive, beyond what creatures can comprehend.

5. The happiness of the creation deserves our grateful acknowledgment.

God might have made a world without any beings, that were capable of sensation and enjoyment. He might have made a system of matter, without any spirit, or mind. But the system of matter, as God has made it, is designed and suited for the benefit of such creatures, as have perception, sensation, volition and enjoyment. Creatures of many forms and grades, in the water, in the air, on the earth and in all things, have kinds and degrees of happiness, which are fully known only to their Creator. And to man he gave the world for his possession and enjoyment.

6. The work of God, in the creation, is beautiful.

There was not merely number and order, usefulness and happiness, in the creatures which God made, but beauty and ornament. There is beauty in forms and colors, in motions and sounds. Trees and plants, fruits and flowers, plains and hills, valleys and mountains, brooks and rivers, lakes, seas and oceans, are beautiful. The changes of night and day, evening and morning, the seasons of the year, dews and rains, clouds and storms, hail and snow, lightning and thunder, every object and event, every scene and movement, in the system of matter, are pleasant in themselves, or in their effects. The myriads of animals that creep in the dust, that walk on the earth, that fly in the air and swim in the sea, have their various and wonderful beauties. But, who shall speak of man, as God created him in his own image, male and female? Who can describe his body and his spirit, his eye and his voice, his mind and heart, his station and dignity, his prospects and enjoyments? There is a marvelous variety of beauties, in the mental and moral departments of creation. The whole system of existence, in its original creation, was adorned with perfect beauty. 7. The work of God, in the creation, was the perfection of goodness.

Every part was good in itself; and all parts and portions, in their connections, were very good. This work of God was right and useful; it was happy and lovely ; it was holy and glorious. The nature, number and order of his creatures; their usefulness, happiness and beauty, agreed with his own mind; and they were pleasant to his heart, They were good in themselves; and good in

their effects. The work was wrought for the greatest, wisest and best designs; and with the purest and holiest affections. It employed and manifested the greatness and goodness of God. It gratified his infinite and eternal benevolence.

From what has been said on this subject, it may be observed,

1. That the existence of God is evident, from the nature of created beings.

Created beings are, in their nature, mutable and dependent. They are not able, independently, to preserve and govern themselves; or to move, or act. They are not self-existent and eternal. They have begun to exist. And it is certain, from their nature, that they have been caused to be. They are creatures. The existence of such beings, as are not immutable and independent, is evident from our senses. They have been caused to exist by some other being; and they are preserved and governed by his influence. From the nature of their existence, it is certain, that they could not begin, nor continue to exist, without the agency of such a being, as is almighty, omniscient and benevolent. Creatures do exist. And the existence and nature of a creature demonstrate the existence and perfections of the uncreated, intelligent and eternal being whom we call God; and "whose name alone is Jehovah." No effect can exist

without a cause. No creature can exist without a Creator. The apostle declares, "The invisible things of God, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen; being understood by the things, that are made, even his eternal power and god-head." This statement is perfectly rational and conclusive. It is founded on the nature of creatures, which certainly exist. No one, but such a being, as is truly called God, could create, preserve, or govern any being, or thing. If there were no such being as God, no other being could ever exist. It is as certain and as evident, that there is such a being, as is truly God, as it is that any being exists. If there were no Creator, there could be no creature. There are creatures. And

there is and must be a Creator.

2. God will accomplish his object in creation.

He could not have done this work, without an object;

nor without such an object, as he was both able and willing to accomplish. His object, in creation, must agree with the properties of his nature and the perfections of his character. It must be suited to employ, manifest and gratify his own goodness forever. The accomplishment of such an object would produce the greatest extent of knowledge, holiness, usefulness, happiness, glory, beauty and praise, that can exist in created beings. Such an object would be the greatest, wisest and best, that is possible, or conceivable, even with God himself. The holiness and happiness of God, as well as the highest perfection and glory of his kingdom, would require, dispose and oblige him to propose and accomplish such an object. Had he not, then, the best object in the wonders of creation? Had he such an object? and will he fail of its triumphant and glorious accomplishment? He says, "I am God; and there is none else: I am God; and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand; and I will do all my pleasure." It is as unwise to deny the accomplishment of the object, for which God has created all things, as it is to deny his existence and perfections.

3. The happiness of God, in creation, must be exceedingly glorious.

When he existed alone, in eternity, he would contemplate the great and good purpose and work of creation; and he would rejoice in the effects of his knowledge, power, goodness and wisdom, as they should appear in his creatures. But when God said, Let there be light and there was light; and he divided the light from the darkness; when he made the firmament and divided the waters below it from the waters above it; when the dry land appeared and was covered with grass and herbs and trees of every fruit; when the lights were placed in the heaven for signs and for seasons and for days and years; when the waters were filled with moving creatures that have life; when every winged fowl began to fly in the open firmament; when cattle and creeping things and beasts of every form arose into existence; when man was created in the image of God and received from him the dominion of the earth; when all living

creatures began to move and to taste their food and by their actions and enjoyments praised their Creator; when thousands of birds and beasts broke the silence that had reigned forever; when the voice of love and joy and praise reached the ear and heart of God from human lips; "when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy;" then "God saw every thing that he had made; and, behold, it was very good." What was good in his sight was pleasant to his heart; and he rejoiced in the good which he caused to exist. He blessed all his creatures and all his works. "And he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." And he made the seventh day, in a special manner, holy and happy. There was not then a being, or an object, an event, or circumstance, which was not good and pleasant in the sight of God. "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all their host.” And the happiness of God, in his creatures, was as glorious, as the wonders he had done; and as his own greatness and goodness in their creation. Who, then, will not rejoice in the happiness of God? "For of him and through him and to him are all things: to whom be glory forever."

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things; and for thy pleasure they are and were created. And thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen.