An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

The Scripture calls some, Starr-gazers, such are they, who ⟨p. 27⟩study the Heavens to a very evil purpose, drawing men off from their sole dependence upon God, by foretelling the events of things, and destinies of persons, from the positions and motions of the heavenly Bodies or Luminaries. This kind of Studying and Contemplating the Heavens, is one of the greatest vanities under Heaven, a vanity often reproved in the Scriptures of the holy Prophets; thus to be Starr-gazers, or Heaven-beholders is our sin: but there is a Contemplation of the Stars which is our duty and commendation, (Psal. 8.3, 4.) When I consider (in that great volume of the works of God) the Heavens, the work of thy fingers, the Moon and the Stars which thou hast ordained; What is man that thou art mindful of him, &c. David did both look and see, he beheld the Heavens for a good purpose, a godly purpose, his own abasement, and the advancement of the glory and goodness, or of the glorious goodness of God, in spreading such a Canopy, sparkling with perpetual fires for him to walk under, and do his work by. And doubtless, did we with enlightened eyes behold and see the natural Heavens, we should become more spiritual and heavenly.

The Scripture calls some, Starr-gazers, such are they, who ⟨p. 27⟩study the Heavens to a very evil purpose, drawing men off from their sole dependance upon God, by foretelling the events of things, and destinies of persons, from the positions and motions of the heavenly Bodies or Luminaries. This kind of Studying and Contemplating the Heavens, is one of the greatest vanities under Heaven, a vanity often reproved in the Scriptures of the holy Prophets; thus to be Starr-gazers, or Heaven-beholders is our sin: but there is a Contemplation of the Starrs which is our duty and commendation, (Psal. 8.3, 4.) When I consider (in that great volume of the works of God) the Heavens, the work of thy fingers, the Moon and the Starrs which thou hast ordained; What is man that thou art mindfull of him, &c. David did both look and see, he beheld the Heavens for a good purpose, a godly purpose, his own abasement, and the advancement of the glory and goodness, or of the glorious goodness of God, in spreading such a Canopy, sparkling with perpetual fires for him to walk under, and do his work by. And doubtless, did we with enlightned eyes behold and see the natural Heavens, we should become more spiritual and heavenly.