fifteen centuries after its first divulgation to the nations of Europe, among whom it was ordained to be planted ; and, the progress of Scientific Research, especially in this our own extraordinary age, has unfolded and multiplied new and irresistible physical evidences of the same: so justly has it been remarked, that “ the evidences of Religion “ have advanced with the progress of true philosophy; " and that Science, while she raises a monument to her- " self, at the same time erects an altar to the Deity 1." Those successive apparent contingencies, are not acci dental; they constitute reserved parts in the mysterious scheme of the great Dispensation which is now in actual and irresistible progress, and, by which, the Truth of that which God has been pleased to reveal to Man will be triumphantly upheld and continually increased in lustre, until the end shall arrive in order to which it was at first imparted. The science of Geology, the last of those re served measures of light which have been opened upon us, has this remarkable character above all the preceding phy sical sciences; that, it not only conducts the intelligence, like them, to the discernment of the God of Nature, but advances it further, to a distinct recognition of that God of Nature in the God of Scripture. 2. The learned and able Edinburgh Reviewer of the Reliquia Diluviana, questions “ the prudence of attempt- " ing to connect the discoveries of natural science with the " sacred writings and he is " by no means certain, that " it would not be better to leave altogether untouched the “ connexion of Geology with the Sacred Narrative 9 : ” and 1 BRANDE, Outlines of Geology, pag. ult. 1817. ’ No. Ixxvii. Oct. 1823, p. 198.
