never-failing Supply of the finest Fish. They vifit our Cities, and attend our Wharfs, as fo many public Vehicles, ready to fet out at all Hours. Those Sheep, which give their Udders to be drained by the bufy frisking Lambs, are fattening their Flesh for our Support; and while they fill their own Fleeces, are providing for our comfortable Clothing.-Yonder Kine, some of which are browzing upon the tender Herb; others, fatiated with Pafturage, ruminate under the fhady Covert; though conscious of no fuch Defign, are concocting for our Ufe, one of the fofteft, pureft, healthiest Liquors in the World. The Bees, that fly humming about our Seat, and pursue their Work on the fragrant Bloffoms, are collecting Balm and Sweetness, to compose the richest of Syrups. Which, though the Produce of their Toil, is intended for our Good. Nature, and her whole Family, are our obfequious Servants, our ever-active Labourers. They bring the Fruits of their united Industry, and pour them into our Lap, or depofite them in our Store-Rooms. Afp. Who can ever fufficiently admire this immenfe Benignity?-The SUPREME Dif pofer of Events, has commanded Delight and Profit to walk Hand in Hand, through his ample Creation: making all Things so permaking VOL. I. fectly fectly pleafing, as if Beauty was their only End; yet all Things fo eminently ferviceable*, as if Usefulness had been their fole Defign.-And, as a moft winning Invitation to our Gratitude, He has rendered Man the Center, in which all the Emanations of his Beneficence, diffufed through this Terrestrial System, finally termi nate. But, my dear Theron, is not this apparent, in a much more wonderful Manner, throughout the whole Oeconomy of REDEMPTION?— It were a fmall Thing for this inferior Clafs of unintelligent Creatures, to be continually employing themselves for our Benefit. Even the Son of the most High GOD, through all his incarnate State, acted the very fame Part.He took Flesh, and bore the Infirmities of human Nature, not for Himself, but for Us Men, and our Salvation. He fuffered Want, and endured Mifery in all its Forms; that We might poffefs the Fulness of Joy, and abound in Pleasures for evermore.-When he poured out his Soul in Agonies, under the Curse of an avenging Law; what other End had He in View, but to make Us Partakers of eternal Blessedness? When He fulfilled, perfectly fulfilled the whole commanding Law; was it not on *Omnes Mundi Partes ita conftituta funt, ut neque ad Ufum meliores effe poterint, neque ad Speciem pulchriores. Cic. De Nat. Deor. Lib. II. on purpose, that his Merits might be imputed to Us? That We, by his Obedience, might be made righteous? Yes; -For Us He liv'd, Toild for our Eafe, and for our Safety bled. Nothing in the whole Courfe Ther. Pardon me for interrupting You, Aspafio. I have no Objection to the general Drift of your Difcourfe. But that particular Notion of imputed Righteousness, has always appeared to me in a very ridiculous Light. And I must say, that fuch a Puritanical Noftrum makes a very unbecoming Figure, amongst your other manly and correct Sentiments of Religion. Afp. You know, Theron, I have long ago difavowed that ignoble Prejudice, which rejects Doctrines, or defpifes Perfons, becaufe they happen to be branded with contemptible Names. "Tis true, the Writers ftyled Puritans, are remarkable for their Attachment to this Peculiarity of the Gofpel. It runs through all their Theological Works; and very eminently diftinguishes them, from the Generality of our modern Treatifes.-But, muft it therefore be wrong, because maintained by that particular Set of People? Or, are they the only Advocates for this important Truth? Ther. Aye: it is as I fufpected. I have lately conjectured, from feveral Hints in my Afpafio's E 2 Dif Discourse, that He has been warping to the low ungentleman-like Peculiarities of those whimsical Fanatics. Afp. I cannot conceive, why You should call them whimsical.-To fettle Faith on its proper Bafis, the meritorious Righteousness of the REDEEMER; and to deduce Obedience from its true Origin, the Love of GOD fhed abroad in the Heart-To fearch the Confcience, and convince the Judgment-To awaken the lethargic, and comfort the afflicted Soul-And all, from a thorough Knowledge, joined to a masterly Application, of the divine Word— Thefe, fure, are not whimfical Talents, but real Excellencies. Yet thefe, if We may credit History, entered into the Preaching; thefe, if We will examine impartially, are to be found in the Writings of the Puritans.—And a Pearl, you will please to remember, is a Pearl ftill, though it should hang in the Ethiopian's Ear. Ther. Ethiopian indeed! You have truly characterized, that demure and gloomy Generation. I hope, You don't intend to introduce their Solemnity and Reserve, into your easy and engaging Converfation. Though, for aught I can judge, this would be no more ungraceful, than to patch fuch antiquated Notions on your own refined Scheme of Christianity. Afp. My dear Friend, You are too ludicrous; and I begin to catch the Infection. We We had better return to our first Topic. Let us contemplate the Wonders of Creation; and as We admire the Works, learn to adore the Maker. Ther. None of your Evafions, good Afpafio. You must not think to put me off at this Rate. I have wanted an Opportunity, to rally you upon this Head; and to argue or laugh You, out of these religious Oddities. Afp. If You will not agree to Terms of Peace; I hope, you will allow fome Cessation of Arms. At least, till I can mufter my Forces, and prepare for the Vindication of my Prin ciples. Ther. No: upon the Spot, and out of Hand, You are required to anfwer for yourself, and these same queer Opinions.—I shall serve You, as the Roman Conful ferved the procrastinating Monarch. When He demurred about his Reply to the Demands of the Senate, and said, He would confider of the Matter: the refolute Ambaffador drew a Circle round him with his Cane, and infifted upon a positive Answer, before he stepped over those Limits, Afp. This, however, You will give me Leave to obferve, That the Affair is of a very ferious Nature. Upon Condition, that you will difmifs your Flourishes of Wit, and Strokes of Satyr; I will acquaint You with the Reasons, which have made me a thorough Convert to E 3 this |