Page:Wedding-ring, fit for the finger, or, The salve of divinity on the sore of humanity (5).pdf/2



UMAN misery is to divine mercy, as a black soil to a sparkling diamond, or a sable cloud to the sun-beams, Psalm viii. 4. Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him?

Man is, in his creation, angelical; in his corruption, diabolical; in his renovation, theological: In his translation, majestical.

There were four silver channels in which the chrystal streams of God's affection ran to man in his creation.

1. In his preparatìon. 2. In his assimilation. 3. In his coronation. 4. In his association.

1. In his preparation. Other creatures received the character of their beings by a simple fiat; but there was a consultation at his forming; not for the difficulty, but for the dignity, of the work. The painter is more studious about that which he means to make his master-piece. The four elements were taken out of their elements, to make up the perfection of man's complexion: The fire was purified, the air was clarified, the water was purged, the earth was refined. When man was moulded, heaven and earth were married: A body from the one was espoused to a soul from the other.

2. In his assimilation. Other creatures were