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and from childhood to man. Soon as

the stupendous wonders permitted his mental powers to act in regularity, would not fuch, or fimilar, be the reflections of his then perfectly pure and rational foul? What am I! Where am I! Of what am I, and all around me, made! Who made us! and for what end was I, and all creation, formed! A divine ray shining through his foul, doubtless, resolved the all-important questions, making known the Creator and the end of creation.

Struck with amazement at the infinite greatness, glory, and tranfcendent goodness, of the Lord God his Maker, the Creator of heaven and earth, and the bounties of creation, would not he, for fome confiderable time, alternatively wonder and praise; efpecially at the infinite kindness of the Lord God, in condescending so low, as gracioufly to enter into covenant with him, his creature, and that in name of all his pofterity! Those who are of opinion that man did not stand more than one day, allow him but little time indeed, either for admiring the works of creation, or celebrating the praifes of the Creator.

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Although, in confummate wisdom, for the wifeft of reasons, the Most High God hath feen it best to conceal from us how long, or how fshort, man continued in a state of innocence; yet it is probable, both from fcripture and reafon, that he stood for a good space of time. First, when we reflect, if it were poffible for any, in a moment of time, to be removed into the midst of fome great country or city, without his knowledge; upon looking up, what would his aftonishment be? All wonder-all admiration! How would he stand amazed! loft in reflection,--confounded every power of his mind! Whether in a dream, in a vifion, or awake, he beholds all, he is equally uncertain. Not knowing what to think, would not he stand in contemplation, not for a fhort fpace, but for a long time? And can we suppose that Adam, as has been already observed, would be less aftonished at finding himself, and beholding creation around? nay, certainly unspeakably more fo would he be. In the other cafe, the powers of the mind and body were not new, but in that of Adam perfectly fo: till that time unfelt and unknown. At once, perfect as he was, how inconceivably great would his aftonishment at himself, be to himfelf.

Is it not then reasonable to fuppofe, that, for a confiderable time, he could be employed in nothing else, but in alternately wondering and praising? especially if we confider that he was created after the Divine Image, and confequently, nothing was fo natural or delightful to him, as the beauty of holiness, in adoring his God, and admiring the works of his hands. And upon the almighty Author of his being, gracioufly vouchsafing to enter into covenant with him, would he not be excited to pour out his foul in still more lively anthems of praise, if livelier were possible, and higher strains of gratitude, while all the man was one continued flame of love to God? Can we then think, in these blest moments, when all his foul was transported with wonder, love, and joy; or, for a confiderable time afterwards, he would feel even the smalleft want of an help meet for him? Next, man being created an active, intelligent being, was not to let those powers with which he was endued, lye dormant, but exercise these talents for the glory of his Creator, and the

good of creation; consequently, we find, from the facred page, the Lord God filling his hands with fuitable employment, by placing him in the garden of Eden, for the purpose of dreffing and keeping it; and, in the mean time, bringing to him all the beafts of the earth, and fowls of the air, in order to receive their names.

Now, any who confiders what vast numbers of different species there are, and the still greater varieties of each species, muft reafonably suppose it would take a pretty long space of time for Adam to give them their names; for, though he was perfect, yet he was not an infinite, but a finite creature; and fo could not do things at once, but must take time for his work, and employ his wifdom in confulting the natures of the different species of those creatures, and give them their defignations accordingly, which doubtless he did.

After this, we find the Lord God caused a deep fleep to fall upon him; and he flept, which no doubt took up fome portion of time. Upon his awakening, how would he be furprized, at beholding a creature fo like

himfelf, the comeliest of all creation around? and ftill more fo, when by revelation he knew she was made of a rib from his fide? Bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, he confefsed she was, and called her Woman. Thus finding an help meet for him, uniting in affection, they became one, and proved that facred bond which is so indifpenfably neceffary for the upholding of the human kind. Can we then fuppofe that Eve, immediately upon her arifing from the fide of her husband, would run gadding abroad among the trees of the garden? Surely no, but, surprised at each other, wondering at themselves and all around; and the most, if more could be, being laft brought into existence, joining in fweet conversation, admiring creation, and praifing their Creator; the man having taught her him, and declared the covenant, they doubtless spent their first conjugal hours in that very place, or arbour, where Adam first received the hand of his innocent bride from indulgent heaven. Now, if it was the duty, as well as a great part of the employment of man, in a state of innocence, to contemplate the works of God; it certainly is and ought to be ours, their fallen race.