His care extends therefore, and must extend, to minims, ephemera, and atoms as tru ly and as exactly, as to the concerns of cherubs and seraphs in the heavens. At the same time, his presence and a gency are more sublimely visible in the universe of minds, in all the amazing powers of thought, affection, and moral action, in the knowledge, virtue, and the enjoyment of the myriads which form the perculiar kingdom of Jehovah. Before God made the universe, there was nothing beside him. It was, therefore, the manifestation of himself alone which could be the end of this mighty work. The manifestation of himself is, therefore , only the manifestation of boundless excellence to the creatures which he has made.
Excellence therefore is discovered, chiefly by d oing what is great and wise and good.
All this is so evident as to need no illustration. God, when he intended to disclose his perfections to the universe, intended therefore to exhibit them, chiefly, by an endless course of action, in which wisdom, greatness, and goodness should be supremely and most c learly discovered. To this decision reason necessarily subjoins her own Amen. The great d esign of God in all things is, therefore, to do good boundlessly and for ever, and in this conduct to disclose himelf as the boundless and eternal good. It must of necessary consequence be supremely pleasing to him, that his intelligent creatures voluntarily unite with him in loving and promoting this divine purpose, while all opposition to it must be supremely disp leasing.