mon;

SERM. write a Volume upon, than to be difcourf X. ed on within the fmall Compafs of a Sermon; I shall therefore at present satisfy myself, in giving you these few Hints, for the Improvement of your private Meditations, and conclude what I have to fay, in the Words of an excellent modern Author : Who can fufficiently admire the

infinite Loveliness and Perfection of the Divine Artificer, when he beholds the Variety of the Structure, the Diverfity of the Workmanship of the Body of Man? When he obferves the Parts and Veffels in Man of fo different Kinds; when he takes Notice of the feveral Offices and Functions belonging to Concoction and Nutrition, and the Elaboration of the Blood and Spirits? When he views the ftrange Conveyances, the greater and leffer Channels and Conduits for the Liquors and Juices contained in it? When he confiders how this Structure is fupported with Bones, guarded and fortified with Limbs, cloathed and fashioned with Flesh, warmed and beautified with Fat, covered on the Outfide with Skin, and within with Membranes and Tunicles, fupplied with Spirits by the Nerves, and with Blood by the Veins and Arteries, moved by the Muscles and Tendons, and joined together

by

by Ligaments and Cartilages? Certainly, SE RM. whoever seriously confiders thefe Things, X. must needs conclude with the Pfalmift in the Text, that he is fearfully and wonderfully made. And then it remains only, in the

II. PLACE, to confider thofe Obligations which refult from hence; and what Effects the Contemplation of those wonderful Works of God ought to have upon every one of us.

1. LET us frequently meditate and contemplate upon these Works of Wonder. Let us confider the curious Make and Frame of our Bodies, and therein behold the admirable Wisdom, and ftupendious Power, of the Divine Framer of them. To know ourselves, was the Advice of an Oracle, and may be of great Ufe for the Government of our Lives and Conversations; and this holds good in Naturals, as well as Morals; the Confideration of that wonderful Contexture of Parts, which compose our Bodies, will neceffarily raise our Thoughts to the Contemplation of that Being to whom they owe their Original and Prefervation. And therefore, when a pious and ingenious Person was asked, Which was the best Body of Divinity? He replied, Galenus de Ufu Partium; his Meaning was, That there was no

plainer

SERM.plainer Argument to convince us of the X. Being of a God, nor more powerful Mo

tive to engage us to worship and adore him, than the Confideration of those wonderful (I had almost faid, miraculous) Effects, which are daily wrought within us. Why then are we so stupified and amazed, when we behold the Prodigies of the greater World? Why are we fo follicitous and concerned, that we do not comprehend the Motion of the Heavens, nor understand the Cause of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea, and the Magnetism of the Earth? Why are we fo furprised, when we behold the Convulfions of Nature? Are there not greater Wonders within us, tho' we do not take Notice of them? May not the circular Motion of the Blood and Humours, the curious Contexture of our Parts, the various Tranfmutation of the Chyle, the unconceiveable Connexion of our Souls and Bodies, be the worthy Subjects of our Admiration? And as for thofe Perfons whofe Parts and Education render them unfit for fuch nice Speculations as these, it may fuffice, that they take Notice of thofe Operations which are evident to the Sense; and that Hand with which they work, and the Foot on which they walk, may be the lafting Subjects

of

X.

of their Meditations, But it will be to no SE RM; Purpose to stand gazing upon fecond Causes, to contemplate the Wonders either of the greater or the leffer World, unless we are hereby led to the Confideration of the first Cause, the Spring and Source from whence all thefe derived their Original. Let us, therefore,

2. FROM the Confideration of these Magnalia Dei, wonderful Works of God, raife up in our Souls the bright and glorious Ideas of God's infinite Wisdom, and Power, and Goodness: For if there is fo much curious Workmanship in our Bodies, which are fo fmall a Part of the Universe, how excellent must that Being be, who has formed all these Things with the Word of his Power? What infinite Wifdom in the Contrivance of this vifible World, what infinite Power to produce it out of nothing, and what infinite Goodnefs, to give fo many excellent Gifts, and to communicate himself after fo wonderful a Manner, to his poor indigent Creatures? What can be the Refult of fuch Contemplations as thefe, but that,

3. WE exprefs our Gratitude for all thefe Bleffings, by Praise and Adoration ; that those grateful Refentments, which are kindled in our Hearts, may be proclaimed

to

SERM. to the whole World, and that God's X. Praises may be as extenfive as his Benefits,

from one End of the World unto the other? Let us therefore praise the glorious Author of our Beings, for the Perfection and Integrity of our Bodies, that we enjoy the due Number, Shape, and Use of our Limbs and Senfes; that there is neither a Defect nor Superfluity of Parts, but all of them are harmonious and uniform, comely and graceful; useful to ourfelves, and fightly to others. And that the Commonnefs of thefe Bleffings may not render us infenfible of them, let us confider, what our Condition would be, fhould we undergo the Lofs of any of thefe Members, and, by any calamitous Accident, be deprived of a Hand, an Eye, or a Foot; and if the Want of them would be fo great a Misfortune, and of so mischievous Confequence to us; let the Ufe and Continuance of them fill our Hearts with Gratitude, and our Mouths with Praise and Adoration. Let us praise the Name of our God for that Health and Strength which we enjoy, for our Security from Dangers, and Prefervation from Sickness and Difeafes; for fince our Body confifts of fo vaft a Number, and almost infinite Variety of Parts, it is a Miracle of God's Mercy, that they are pre

ferved