Our Lord gave himself for us, not only that he might redeem us from all iniquity, but also that he might purify us unto himself a peculiar people. This cleansing, washing, and purifying the soul from sin, is, in the Holy Scripture, attributed to the virtual efficacy of his blood. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." The primary effect of his blood is the expiation of sin; and, as a consequence thereof, the remission of it. "This is my blood which is shed for the remission of sins." "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins." Now by the blood of Christ in these places we are to understand his sufferings, which were completed in the shedding of his blood on the cross.
Surface of the Earth -- Mountains -- Fertility of Plants -- Dissemination of Seeds -- Preservation of Plants -- Adaptation to different Climates -- Number of vegetables -- Succession of vegetables -- Remarkable Trees -- Sensitive Plants -- Kitchen vegetables -- Garden flowers -- Religious Improvement.
The dry land and the seas constitute what is called the _terraqueous globe_; what proportion the superficies of the sea bears to that of the land, cannot be easily ascertained; but, as one observes, the earth and the water exist in a most judicious proportion to each other. According to the most exact calculations, the surface of the earth is 199,512,595 square miles; and that of the sea is to the land as three to one. There is no certain measurement of the proportion of land and water which the parts within the polar circles contain. The superficies of the sea appearing so large, may lead some persons to suppose, that the proportions between the land and water are not wisely adjusted; and that had there been less sea and more dry land, this would have been more adapted to the accommodation and service of mankind. As such a supposition as this tends to arraign the wisdom of God, so it proceeds from ignorance of natural philosophy. For, as Dr. Keill asserts, "if there were but half the sea that now is, there would be also only half the quantity of vapors; and, consequently, we could have no more than half so many rivers as there now are, to supply not only all the dry land we have at present, but half as much more; for the quantity of vapors which are raised, bears a proportion to the surface whence they are raised, as well as the heat which raised them. The wise Creator so prudently ordered it, that the sea should be large enough to supply vapors sufficient for all the land, which it would not do if it were less than it now is."[97] The Scriptures speak of God as making all things in number, weight, and measure; as proceeding in his works with the greatest exactness. "He hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with a span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance." Those who wish to see this further illustrated, would do well to consult Ray's "Wisdom of God manifested in the works of the Creation," and his "Physico-theological Discourses."