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ILLUSTRATIONS OF

is to be understood the discernment of their respective qualities, whether they be regarded in their natural or spiritual signification. It appears then, from this passage, that the stars have various qualities; and since there is every reason to believe that they are all of them so many suns, which are the centres of as many systems, in which systems there are revolving earths, or planets, we are hence further authorized to conclude, that each sun in the universe has a quality peculiar to itself, which distinguishes it from every other sun; and not only so, but that the earths revolving around it have also qualities which distinguish them from all other earths. Each solar system then, according to this idea, has its peculiar quality, which distinguishes it from all other systems; and thus all the solar systems in the universe, collectively, with their combined qualities, are so many varied theatres, created for the display and manifestation of the infinitely varied qualities, perfections, and excellencies, of the Infinite and Divine Architect.—Most edifying reflection!


136. It is written in the 37th Psalm, v. 30, that the mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment, in which words, it is evident, a distinction is made between the mouth and the tongue, also between speaking and talking, and likewise between wisdom and judgment. The distinction, in these several cases, is grounded in the distinction between interior thought and exterior thought, or between thought derived from the will and understanding united, and thought derived from understanding only; or, what amounts to the same, between thought