4²⁸ A View of the DEISTICAL. Writers. Let. 24.

when yet he frequently intimates, that there are many orders of beings much ſuperior to man, and that man is of the loweſt order of intellectual beings. He repreſents it as a thing highly probable, that there is a gradation from man through various * jorms of ſenſe, intelligence, and reaſon, up to beings unknown ** to us, Whoſe rank in the intellectual world is even above our «c conceptions.“ And that““ there may be as much difference between ſome other creatures of God and man, as there is be- «tween man and an oyſter.“ And if it be allowed, that there are created intelligences much ſuperior to man, where is the abſurdity of ſuppoſing that they are employed by divine wiſdom as the inſtruments and agents of providence in its adminiſtra- tions towards the human race? Higher orders of creatures may in the original plan of providence be deſigned to aſſiſt, and ex- erciſe ſome ſuperintendency over the lower. It may reaſonably be conceived, that this may contribute to promote the beauty and order of the univerſe, and to connect the different orders of beings, and carry on a proper intercourſe between them. It is certain, that the exiſtence, and the interpoſitions of ſuch beings on ſpecial occaſions, has been generally believed by man- kind in all ages; and it is clearly determined in the revelation contained in the holy ſcripture: ſo that it may be now aſſumed not merely as a reaſonable hypotheſis, but as a truth that can be depended upon. Nor does the making uſe of angels as agents or inſtruments in the adminiſtrations of providence argue any defect of providence, as he is pleaſed to inſinuate, which ſtill overſees and directs the whole. For when God makes uſe of inſtruments in the courſe of his providence, it is not becauſe,„ like human governors, he is unable to do it immediately by himſelf, and cannot be perſonally preſent; for he is ſtill preſent to every part of the creation, and all things are under his direction and ſuperintendency. But he is pleaſed to make uſe of ſome of his creatures as inſtruments in conferring benefits, or inflicting chaſtiſements upon others, for the better carrying on the order and'œconomy of his kingdom, and for many wiſe ends which we cannot pretend at preſent diſtinctly to aſſign. Io my next I fhall conſider what Lord Bolingbroke hath offer- ed concerning the immortality of the ſoul, and a future ſtate of retributions, which will let us farther into the true intention

of his ſcheme. I am,&c. s Vol. v. P. 329, 330. Vol. iv. p. 177.

END of the FIRST VoLUME.