What  they  conceived  of  ihe  divine  nature,  they
uttered  with  that  soberness  and  simplicity,  which
truth  so  easily  prefers  to  the  tricks  and  garniture  of


m  tHE  BEING  AND

Ewful  or  more  abstract  peifections,  may  excite  id
the  mind  the  most  profound  and,  perhaps,  over^
whelming  emotions.  But  from  the  relationship  of
God  to  man,  which  is  thus  beautifully  unfolded,  and
the  relationship  of  man  to  God,  which  is  thus  empha-
tically implied,  we  derive  considerations  of  a  more
affecting  and  instructive  character.  There  may  be
less  to  astonish,  but  there  is  more  to  interest.  A  new
dignity  appears  to  be  conferred  upon  our  nature.
We  are  no  longer  dust  and  ashes,  but  the  children
of  the  Omniscient,  to  partake  the  blessings  of  his
protection  and  of  his  love.  We  are  elevated  and
ennobled  by  the  consciousness  awakened  in  ou^
bosom  of  our  high  descent ;  and  we  are  taught  to
look  up  to  God,  with  tl^at  humble  but  affectionate
latitude,  which,  wherever  it  is  felt,  affords  new
motives  to  piety,  and  new  obligations  to  virtue.
