Page:A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More.djvu/102

60 these things; let us now consider the Fruits of Trees, where I think it will appear very manifestly, that there was one and the same Author both of Man and them, and that assuredly he knew what he did when he made them. For could Apples, and Oranges, and Grapes, and Apricocks, and such like fruit, be intended for Beasts, that hold their heads downward, and can scarce look up at them, much less know how to reach them? When we feed our Dogs, we set the dish or trencher on the ground, not on the Table. But you'l say, That at last these fruits will fall down, and then the Beasts may come at them. But one thing is, there are not many that desire them, and so they would rot upon the ground before they be spent, or be squander'd away in a moment of time, as it might easily fare with the most precious of Plants, the Vine. But Man, who knows the worth of the Grape, knows to preserve it a long season (for it is both eaten and drunk some years after the vintage) as he does also gather the rest of the Fruits of the Earth, and layes up both for himself and his Cattel. Wherefore it is plainly discoverable, that Man's coming into the world is not a thing, of Chance or Necessity, but a Design, as the bringing of worthy Guests to a well-furnish'd Table.

5. And what I have intimated concerning the Vine, is as eminently, if not more eminently, observable in the ordinary kinds of Grain, as Wheat and Barly, and the like, which also, like the Vine, are made either Edible or Potable by Man's Art and Industry. But that's not the thing that I care so much to observe. That which I drive at now is this; That Breadcorn, that brings so considerable increase by Tillage and Husbandry, would scarce be at all without it; for that which grows wildly of it self is worth nothing: but it being so wholesom and strengthning a food, that it should yield so plentiful increase, and that this should not be without humane Art and Industry, does plainly insinuate that there is a Divine Providence that intended to exercise the wit of Man in Husbandry and Tillage. Which we may the more firmly assure our selves of, if we adde unto this the careful provision of Instruments so exactly fitted out for this imployment; viz. the laborious Oxe, and the stout, but easily manageable, Horse; Iron for the plough-share, and Roaps for the horse-gears to pull by. And it is very seasonable to take notice of this last, it belonging to this consideration of the Profitableness of Plants. And I appeal to any body that will but take the pains a while to consider of what great use and consequence Cordage is in the affairs of Men, whether it was not a palpable Act of Providence to send out such Plants out of the Earth which would afford it. For we can discover no necessity in Nature that there must needs be such Plants as Hemp and Flax. Wherefore if we will but follow the easie suggestions of free reason, we must cast it upon Providence, which has provided Mankind of such a Commodity, that no less affairs depend upon then all the Tackling of Ships, their Sails and Cable-roaps, and what not? and so consequently all forein Traffick, and then the transportation of wood and stone, and other necessary materials for building, or the carriage of them by land in Wains and Carts, besides the ordinary use of Pulleys, or other Engines for the lifting up of heavy weights, which the strength of Man without these helps would not easily