Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

Can we behold the Spiders Nets, or Silkworms Web, the Bees Closets, or the Ants Granaries, without acknowledging a higher Being than a Creature, who hath planted that Genius in them? The consideration of the nature of several Creatures God commended to Job, (Chap. 39. where he discourseth to Job of the natural instincts, of the Goat, the Ostrich, Horse and Eagle, &c.) to persuade him to the acknowledgement and admiration of God and humiliation of himself.

Can we behold the Spiders Nets, or Silkworms Web, the Bees Closets, or the Ants Granaries, without acknowledging a higher Being than a Creature, who hath planted that Genius in them? The consideration of the nature of several Creatures God commended to Job, (Chap. 39. where he discourseth to Job of the natural instincts, of the Goat, the Ostrich, Horse and Eagle, &c.) to perswade him to the acknowledgment and admiration of God and humiliation of himself.

The Spider, as if it understood the art of weaving, fits its web both for its own Habitation, and a Net to catch its prey. The Bee builds a Cell which serves for Chambers to reside in, and a repository for its provision. Birds are observed to build their Nests with a clammy matter without, for the firmer duration of it, and with a soft moss and down within for the conveniency and warmth of their young: The Stork knows his appointed time. Jer. 8.7. And the Swallows observe the time of their coming; they go and return according to the seasons of the year, This they gain not by consideration, it descends to them with their nature: They neither gain nor increase it by rational deductions. Tis not in vain to speak of these. How little do we improve by Meditation those objects, which daily offer themselves ⟨p. 28⟩to our view, full of instructions for us? And our Saviour sends his disciples to spell God in the Lilies. ^*Tis observed also that the Creatures offensive to man go single: If they went by troops, they would bring destruction upon man and beast. This is the nature of them for the preservation of others.