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Mr. Cox's Museum?
by John Newton, August 1772.
I think I received some instruction where I little
expected it: I mean, at Mr. Cox's Museum. The
efforts of his ingenuity amazed me, while at the
same time I was struck with their insignificance.
His fine things were curious beyond all I had any
idea of; and yet what are they better than toys and
amusements, suited to the taste of children! And
notwithstanding the variety of their motions, they
were all destitute of life.
There is unspeakably more wisdom and creativity
in the mechanism of a butterfly or a bee, that flies
unnoticed in the fields, than in all Mr. Cox's
contraptions put together!
But the works of God are disregarded, while the
feeble imitations of them which men can produce
gain universal applause.
If you and I could make self moving dragons
and elephants, what would it profit us?
God has given us in His Word a greater treasure
than all that we ever beheld with our eyes, and
a hope which shall flourish when the earth and
all its works shall be burnt up. What will all the
fine things of men's device be worth in that day?
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