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3755. [Ps. cxxxix. 15.] In the formation of embryos in the womb, lineaments are continually cast forth, under the influence of Providence, towards the formation of future parts; so that one part is always a plane for another, and this without any error, until the embryo is made. Afterwards also, when it is born, one thing is prepared successively to another and for another, that a perfect man may exist; and at length such a man as can receive heaven.

3756.

SWEDENBORG, Arcana, n. 6491.

Haller was the first who shewed that in birds the fetus exists before fecundation. Spallanzani extended the discovery to different species of amphibious animals, and to some sorts of plants: "Hence," he adds, "we have a new and striking point of analogy between plants and animals to be added to the many others long known; aud hence the suspicion that these two tribes of organized bodies compose, perhaps, but one immense family, receives strong confirmation."

WATSON'S Chem. vol. v. p. 107.

Verse 16.] Thus the seed of a tree is a real tree, in which are all the integrant parts of a tree, though so minute, as not to be perceived by the senses without microscopes, and not even then, but in a very few things. All that this tree wants is a fuller distinction and magnitude of parts, which is gradually acquired by the application of simple substances, that are, as so many constituent parts, necessary to the nourishment and increase of that simple body. The same may be said of stones, minerals, and metals, which are not less vegetable and organic, having their own seeds, formed in their own matrix, and increasing with a peculiar nutriment, as well as man, quadrupeds, reptiles, birds, fishes, and plants. TOLAND'S Pantheisticon, p. 27.

3757. The FORMER OF ALL THINGS has so framed each particular part of a man (or other animal), as not to let the skill bestowed on that, hinder him from making that part or member itself, and every other, neither bigger nor less, nor (in a word) otherwise constituted, than was most expedient for the completeness and welfare of the whole ani-. mal. Which manifests, that this Great Artist had the whole fabric under his eye at once; and did at one view behold all that was best to be done.

BOYLE, on the High Veneration Man's Intellect owes to GOD, p. 28.

By virtue of the creating life received from the LORD, the soul of man in the womb can so wonderfully form itself a body.

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jecture, that all the original particles of matter may be of the same substance, and even of the same form; and that the vast variety we see in the world may arise from the different combinations and motions of these original particles. — It was the opinion of Spinosa, that there is but one substance in the universe; that it has existed always, and will exist for ever; and that the vast variety of beings in it are only dffferent modifications of this substance: And this to hen (Grk.), or one substance, he calls GOD.

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to move themselves, to put out their tongues, and to open and shut their mouths (Harvey, Gibson, Riolan, Haller). And calves lick themselves and swallow many of their hairs before their nativity which however puppies do not (Swammerden, p. 319. Flemyng, Phil. Trans. Ann. 1755. 42). And towards the end of gestation, the fetus of all animals are proved to drink part of the liquid in which they swim (Haller. Physiol. T. 8. 204). The white of egg is found in the mouth and gizzard of the chick, and is nearly or quite consumed before it is hatched (Harvei, de General. 58). And the liquor amnii is found in the mouth and stomach of the human fetus, and of calves; and how else should that excrement be produced in the intestines of all animals, which is voided in great quantities soon after their birth (Gipson, Med. Essays, Edenb. vol. i. 13. Halleri Physiol. T. 3. p. 318. & T. 8). In the stomach of a calf the quantity of this liquid amounted to above three pints, and the hairs amongst it were of the same color with those on its skin (Blasii Anat. Animal. p. m. 122). These facts are attested by many other writers of credit, besides those above mentioned.

Dr. DARWIN'S Zoonomia, vol. i. sect. xvi. 2.

3763. [Ps. cxlv. 15.] Chickweed, the food of small birds, produces ripe seeds within six weeks from the time of its being sown, and again seven or eight times within the year, without interruption in the process even by Winter. Thus Providence is the more abundant and powerful, in proportion as the creature is more feeble and necessitous.

See St. PIERRE's Studies of Nature, vol. ii. p. 410.

3767. [Ps. cxlviii. 3, &c.] Providence has given even to insensible bodies a sentimental language capable of alleviating the pressure of human woe; while He presents to us frequently in the midst of scenes which pain the eye, other scenes which delight the ear and soothe the mind with interesting recollections. It is thus that from the bosom of forests He transports us to the brink of the waters, by the rustling of the aspins and of the poplars. At other times He conveys to us, when we are by the side of the brook, the noise of the sea, and the manœuvres of navigation, in the murmuring of reeds shaken by the wind. When He can no longer engage our reason by foreign imagery, He lulls it to rest by the internal charm of peaceful sentiment: He calls forth from the bosom of the forests, of the meadows, and of the vallies, sounds ineffable, which excite in us pleasing reveries that sink us insensibly into tranquil repose.

3768. [

St. PIERRE's Studies of Nature, vol. iii. p. 52.

8.] The Psalmist, here summoning all the works of JEHOVAH to praise HIM, calls among the rest, on the thunder; and it is worthy our remark, that he includes in his summons all the meteors which enter into the necessary harmony of the Universe. He qualifies them with the majestic title of the Angels and Hosts of the MOST HIGH, Ibid. vol. i. p. 108, note.

3769. [13.] The sphere which is above nature, is the spiritual world. SWEDENBORG, Arcana, n. 4321.

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THE PROVERBS.

A

SOUND judgment supposes but two things knowledge of the subject, and a mind free from prejudice.

a

In every science, and in morals, there are fixed principles, acknowledged to be true; these are nuclei, to which every fact and sentiment are gathered, and this gathering strengthens the judgment; but were there no nucleus, the whole would be mere matter of experience.

Impartiality is the basis of a sound judgment; it was this that gave to Newton all his greatness he met his vast subject free from shackles. Give me your facts, your expe

rience, and I will apply them to principles; and, if they are correct, they will harmonize.

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affections through their thoughts. The character and quality of every one there is also known from the sphere of his life. See SWEDENBORG, on Divine Providence, n. 196.

3776. [Prov. v. 4.] In the year 1560, Mons. Nicot, then French ambassador at Portugal, received from Tobacco, a province in Mexico, the bitter weed denominated by the natives Petun. He immediately sent some of it to queen Catharine de Medicis. From which circumstances attending its introduction into Europe, it was at first variously called Queen's-herb, Nicotiana, Petun, and Tobacco. Its leaves, not much used as at present, were generally recommended as a specific vulnerary. Nat. Delin. vol. ii. p. 214.

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3781.

See Essay for a New Translation, part ii. p. 158.

The Hindoo women perfume their hair with oil of cloves, cinnamon, sandal, mogrees, and other sweet-scented flowers; and those who can afford it, use the oil, or ottah of roses this delicate and costly perfume is made in Persia, and the northern provinces of Hindostan : it is the pure essential oil of roses, rising in small particles on the surface of newly-distilled rose-water. In Persia, whole fields are covered with the Damascus-rose, or the scripture rose of Sharon but it requires many gallons of rose-water to furnish only a few drops of this delicious essence. FORBES' Oriental Memoirs, vol. i. p. 83.

3782. [Prov. ix. 3.] Hasselquist saw in Egypt a number of women, who went about inviting people to a banquet. They were about ten or twelve in number, covered with black veils, as is usual in that country. As they walked along, they all joined in making a cry, which he was told signified their joy.

See No. 144.

3784. [Prov. xvi. 11.] The Jewish doctors assert, that, to prevent frauds, their wise men allowed no weights, balances, or measures, to be made of any metal, as of iron, lead, tin (which were liable to rust, or might be bent or easily impaired), but of marble, stone, or glass, which were less subject to be abused. See LEWIS's Origines Hebrææ, vol. iii. p. 403.

3785. [

14,] In Turkey, when a great man is to be decapitated, a capidgi, or executioner, is sent to him, who shews him the order he has to carry back his head. The other takes the grand Seignior's order, kisses it, puts it on his head in sign of respect; and then having performed his ablution, and said his prayers, freely gives up his head. Thus they blindly obey the grand Seignior's order, the servants never offering to hinder the capidgi, the messenger of death, though he often comes with few or no attendants. See THEVENOT, cap. 46. Also 1 Kings ii. 25. And Matt. xiv. 10.

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3786. [Prov. xvii. 17.] Friendship is a tacit contract between two sensible and virtuous persons: I say sensible; for a monk, a hermit, may not be wicked, yet live a stranger to friendship. I add virtuous, for the wicked have only accomplices, the voluptuous have companions, the designing have associates, the men of business have partners, the politicians form a factious band; the bulk of idle men have connections, princes have courtiers; but virtuous men alone have FRIENDS.

VOLTAIRE.

See HARMER, vol. iii. p. 193.

3783. [Prov. xi. 22.] It is the custom in almost all the East, for the women to wear rings in their noses; that is, in

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we defy history to furnish one single instance of this ascendancy having ever been obtained over a man of sense, by brawling, ill-humour, and a visible contest for superiority. Dr. W. ALEXANDER'S Hist. of Women, vol. i.

p. 334.

By a modern traveller of credit it is said, that at Benares and the adjacent provinces, a person, desirous of dispossessing a tenant from his house, and who is unwilling to wait the tedious process of the law, applies for the assistance of a woman, who by profession is a notorious scold. This woman posts herself at sun-rising opposite the tenant's dwelling, and there pours forth every species of abuse against the poor man, that she can invent. This conduct draws together the populace, whose applause she receives in proportion to her vociferation and perseverance, for which she is amply rewarded by her employer. Whenever the woman has occasion to retire for the purposes of refreshment, she plants her staff in the ground opposite the house, which, through a singular superstition, none dare remove or even touch during her absence, and on her return, she recommences the attack, and thus continues from day to day, till the man is glad to give the landlord possession of the house.

Ecclus. xxvi. 27. Prov. xxv. 24.

3794. [Prov. xxii. 6.] Of much efficacy are the customs, either political or domestic, in which men are brought up, and the daily manner of life, either fortifying or corrupting the mind, for exposure to the air, simple aliments, gymnastic exercises, and the manners of associates, have the greatest influence in disposing either to virtue or vice.

Dr. LAMBE's Additional Reports on
Regimen, p. 246.

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3795.

Children may be taught any habits and any sentiments, and these with the bodily and mental propensities and faculties existing at birth in each individual, combined with the general circumstances in which he is placed, constitute the whole character of man,

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