very widely in introducing confusion of thought into all portions of the inquiry. The nature of the proof on which the "theories," as they are often termed, of natural philosophy depend-the distinction between inductive conclusions and hypotheses the relative use and importance of the two-and the consequent nature and security of the basis on which natural theology rests,—are all points on which there seems to me great need of attempts at a better elucidation than is commonly afforded. And in immediate connexion with these topics, the relation in which the scripture stands to philosophy, (especially where its expressions may be opposed to the conclusions of science,) is a point most pre-eminently requiring to be better explained.

By all thinking inquirers, indeed, the importance of the study of nature as subservient to the great argument of natural theology, is generally admitted; and the evidences which it affords are for the most part such as address themselves powerfully to the conviction even of the least instructed inquirer. And it is not one of the least weighty considerations in favour of the same great inferences, that their evidences are of a nature in some way appreciable by minds of all classes and constitutions, and of all degrees of cultivation. The most cursory survey of nature inspires reflections of the same high tendency in the most illiterate, as the profoundest investigation does in the most philosophical. And the more closely and accurately the phenomena are scrutinized and

reduced under general laws, the more powerful is the weight of the evidence, to every intellect prepared to profit by such inquiry. To supply all the detail of such proofs, drawn from the innumerable particular cases evincing design and arrangement in the material world, has been the object of the labours of a long and distinguished series of writers.

But however manifest may be the particular proofs which reflection deduces from the observed order of nature, however clear the varied features of the view presented to our contemplation by a closer survey, yet no small degree of confusion and perplexity often prevails, as to the distinct grounds and order of the reasoning.

And however elaborately followed up the details may have been, much still seems requisite in elucidation of the great principles of the inquiry. And in a searching and inquiring age, it becomes more peculiarly needful to analyze the nature of our evidence; and to be able, with that confidence which belongs to a good and just cause, to meet any scrutiny, and to challenge any fair inquiry, into the grounds of our convictions; for which we can be duly prepared only by going fearlessly into the more precise examination of the actual principles which are involved in the reasoning.

It has been well observed by Dr. Turton, “Natural theology is, in fact, natural philosophyphysical science in its utmost extent-studied with especial attention to the marks of design, which

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are in succession furnished by the objects of inquiry*." It has also been emphatically and eloquently said, by another writer of the present day, "The study of natural philosophy and natural theology, if rightly pursued, are one; and true science but a perpetual worship of God in the firmament of his powert."

Now the object of the ensuing discussion is precisely to show how and why, this is the case; in what sense, and on what grounds, the identity of the two can be maintained. And by carefully analyzing the nature of our impressions and convictions, to render more secure the steps by which we ascend to these sublime truths; and to expose more fully the errors and inconsistences by which such advance is too often impeded, the proper relation and dependence of the several parts and stages of the inquiry disturbed, and the connexion and force of the whole broken and destroyed.

The importance and precise office of physical science in the support of Divine truth, altogether, has been too commonly overlooked, or misunderstood; and often so totally misconceived as to give rise to the most unhappy prejudices and lamentable hostility against it.

According to views of the subject, not only popularly received, but even supported by the sanction of religious authority, the entire order and tendency of the inquiry seems to be wholly mistaken and inverted.

• Natural Theology, p. 39.

+ Magazine of Popular Science, vol. i. p. 41.

Natural philosophy is considered to engage the mind in the study of what are termed "second causes:" such inquiries are supposed to have a direct tendency to withdraw the thoughts from the "first cause." It is, therefore, the business of natural theology to remedy this evil: though even natural theology is incompetent entirely to produce the desired effect; and the authority of Revelation must be called in to check the vain inquiries of reason; which, indeed, it is generally safer and better to avoid, and condemn altogether.

Such is the confusion of ideas very commonly prevalent; and which it is even considered impious to attempt to expose!

Yet, at the hazard of offending all such prejudices, I shall proceed to an unshrinking examination of the real order and connexion of the evidences of physical science, natural theology, and Revelation, as mutually dependent upon and affecting each other.

That illiterate fanatics should inveigh with all the bitterness of sincere bigotry against the cultivation of science, is less a matter of surprise than of pity. But to find a similar course pursued by those who are the professed disciples of a purer and more rational creed, must be a subject of deep regret to every friend of truth. To find sentiments derogatory to the use of reason and the cultivation of the intellect, coming from those who, by learning, station, and character, ought to be the friends and advocates of all sound and rational acquirements; to hear the

condemnation of physical research, as beset with danger to religion, from those who ought to know its value as the sole basis of natural theology, must, under any circumstances, be regretted, not only by the advocates of science as such, but above all, by the real friends of religion.

To that unfortunate deficiency in our systems of public education, by which physical science is practically excluded, or, at best, degraded to a very secondary rank, we must ascribe the deplorably low views of its nature and value which pervade the writings of many, who, in other respects, are among the brightest ornaments of the Church and the Universities. They are perpetually representing these pursuits as solely concerned with the dominion of man over the material elements, and solely applied, or applicable, to the arts of life. Thus incompetent to appreciate the high intellectual and moral influence of a devotion to the study of nature, they are sometimes led, not only to deny such influence, but even to accuse these pursuits of a tendency opposed to all religious impressions.

No effectual remedy for such a state of things will probably be found until physical science shall be duly recognised as an essential branch of a liberal education, especially in the Universities. So long as the public in general are unable to judge of scientific pretensions, philosophy will be degraded by the pretensions of quackery: and this will give a colour to the accusations of bigotry: the public mind will be