Wesley Corpus

And if this creature had power to propagate its kind, the child must be innocent and holy, and equally capable of persevering in virtue and happiness.” (Page 11.) “Now, if we may judge from the wisdom, justice, and goodness of God, that these are the qualifications with which such a new-made creature would be endued, these the circum stances in which he would be situated; then, by a careful sur vey of what mankind is now, we may easily judge whether man is now such a creature as the great and blessed God made him at first. And this is the subject of the ensuing inquiry.” “Is man, in his present circumstances, such a creature as he came out of the hands of God, his Creator * “We may derive a full answer to this inquiry from the fol lowing considerations.” (Page 12.) “1. This earth, which was designed for the habitation of man, carries evident tokens of ruin and desolation, and does not seem to be ordained, in its present form and circum stances, for the habitation of innocent beings; but is appa rently fit for the dwelling-place of creatures who are degene rate, and fallen from God. “It is granted that the beauty and order of this lower world, even in its present constitution, and the wonderful texture, composition, and harmony of the several parts of it, both in air, earth, and sea, do still illustriously display the power, wisdom, and goodness of their Creator. Yet it must be confessed also, that there are glaring proofs of the terrors of his justice, and the execution of his vengeance.” (Page 13.) “Is not the present shape of our earth, in its divisions of seas and shores, rude and irregular, abrupt and horrid? Survey a map of the world, and say, does the form of it strike our eyes with any natural beauty and harmony? Rather, does it not strongly bear on our sight the ideas of ruin and confusion? Travel over the countries of this globe, or visit several parts of this island,--what various appearances of a ruined world! What vast, broken mountains hang over the heads of tra vellers! What stupendous cliffs and promontories rise,--high and hideous to behold !