memory of the first Reformers of our Church why we should speak of them with veneration, and why we should thank God for those wonderful things which He wrought by them for the good of His Church, and the honour of His holy name: but there is no one thing for which they are more deservedly to be reverenced, because there is no one thing which more manifests their great prudence, their sound judgment, and their extraordinary moderation, than this—that in the reforming of those abuses which had crept into the Church, they religiously observed that GOLDEN MEAN which is nicely and scrupulously to be observed in all matters that are of weight and moment, which it is very difficult for those who do aim at it always to compass, which none but very wise men do so much as aim at, but which, when carefully aimed at and happily compassed, is sure to be approved and admired by all judicious ob And while this middle path is commended, it must be recollected that all men are not wise, and that all wise men will not be won to the middle path, for what is truth to one mind appears as error to another; so that even moderate men, and tolerant men, have still need of care, lest even they should become uncourteously zealous in endeavouring to draw their fellow Christians into one and the same benign and peaceable pathway with themselves -inasmuch as the object to which they wish to attract others may be the very peace itself, while the means resorted to may savour of the contrary kind. Reverend Sirs, my little book might have been dedicated to individuals of high rank and of great renown, for opportunities and kind permissions have been offered me, and the names of noble relatives and friends might have been selected, which would have been still more gratifying to me; but it is rather my choice to present it humbly before the Clergy of this realm, in the hope that while some may approve my sentiments, and circulate them freely, others, who may disapprove of them,may correct and admonish, in all gentle courtesy of speech; and ever shall I be prepared to receive objections equally with approvals, knowing that by an amicable controversy the truth is gained. And while aspiring to your attention in particular, I would by no manner of means deprecate what the Roman bard dreaded might be the fate of his book, but rejoice to hail, as an auspicious hour for mine, "Contrectatus ubi manibus sordescere vulgi Assuring you, that a deep sense of the importance of the matters inadequately discussed in these pages, has mainly induced me to dedicate them to the ministers of the most benevolent religion ever offered for the acceptance of mankind, I have the honour to be, Reverend Sirs, Your faithful and devoted Servant, The AUTHOR of " Doctor Hookwell," "The Primitive Church in its Episcopacy," &c. AUGUST, 1846. CONTENTS Coleridge and humanity-Why men doubt that animals have souls-Argument from the Power of will, and extent of their intelligence-Tillotson-Lactantius— John Wesley-Locke-Anecdotes of dogs, horses, cats, &c.-The human soul-Tillotson, Whateley, Shuttleworth-St. Augustine and the Manicheans' Scripture "Vestiges of the Natural History of Crea- 13 Bishop Heber and Jeremy Taylor-Cause of the deteriorated state of animals-The Bible on Physical science-Geology-Chapters of Genesis-Buckland and Kirby's animals before the creation of man, existent and defunct-Man's present state-The fall Geology-Its ultimate fate-The earth's crust-Lyell- Extinct animals, Races of-Dr. Prichard-Holy Scripture, and geological discoveries-Animals yet unknown-Kirby, Lamarck-Scriptural allusions- Certain fossils in certain strata-The diluvial waters- Argument from natural to spiritual works of the Almighty-Bishop Butler's analogy-Gradations in nature-Different degrees in Heaven-Comparison of mankind and animals-Dr. Wollaston-Archbishop Whateley, &c.-Lamarck and Locke-Bishop Butler -Lord Byron-Archbishop Leighton-Henry Mar- tyn-St. Paul-From Pliny-Kirke White's dog- |