DIALOGUE IV.

THERON.

MUST now defire my Afpafie to inform me-Of whom that grand Affembly confifted, (which He mentioned in the Clofe of our laft Difcourfe) and where it was convened?

Afp. Can't you guefs, Theron?-Was it in the Plains of Theffaly; when Xerxes drew together the Forces of more than half the known World, and appeared at the Head of all the Potentates of the Eaft? Was it in the Roman Forum; when the Senators were affembled in their Robes, and the Barbarians took them for a Synod of Gods?-No; it was on the Mount of Transfiguration. Where the SON of the true GOD, the LORD of eternal Glory, fhone forth in fome of his celeftial and native Splendour; with Garments white as the new-fallen Snows *, and a Countenance bright as

the

*Mark ix. 3. The Evangelift's Defcription is, like the Scene, remarkably bright; and the Gradation of his Images, is almoft as worthy of Obfervation, as the me morable Fact. The Garments were white exceeding

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the meridian Sun. Where He converfed with two of his moft diftinguished Saints, just come down from the Regions of Blifs and Immortality: with Mofes the meek Deliverer of the Law, and with Elijah the refolute Reftorer of its Honours. Where He was attended by three of his principal Ambassadors; who were to be the Reformers of Mankind, and the Lights of the World.

This, I think, is the most venerable and auguft Affembly, which the Annals of History have recorded. And what was the Topic of Conversation, among these illuftrious Perfonages?-Not the Affairs of State, nor the Revolutions of Empire; not the curious Refinements of Literature, nor the wonderful Discoveries of Philofophy; but the ignominious and bloody Exit *, which the Divine JESUS was foon to make at Jerufalem.-This Circumstance, methinks, fhould recommend the Subject to our frequent Difcourfe; even though it was lefs eminent, for intrinfic Dignity, and comfortable Import.

Talking in this manner, they arrive at the Park. Which, the Moment You enter, fills the View with its

white-white as the Snow-whiter than any Fuller on Earth could make them-furpaffing all the Works of Art, equaling the first and finest Productions of Nature.-Nay, fo great was the Luftre, fo fweetly yet fo ftrongly refulgent, that it gliftered (evelo Corla) like the Lightening, and even dazzled the Sight.

* Does not this very delicately, yet very forcibly intimate, That the Sufferings and Death of CHRIST, were the principal End of the Mofaic Inftitutions, and the principal Subject of the Prophetic Teachings? For, is it not natural to fuppofe, that Mofes and Elijah intended, when miniftering on Earth, that very Thing, which their Conversation dwelt upon, when they defcended from Heaven?

its bold, enlarged, and magnificent Sweep.-It was diverfified with level and rifing Ground. Here, scooped into mimic Amphitheatres; with the Deer pendent on the little Summit, or shooting down the eafy Precipice. There, raised into gentle Hillocks; : some of which were canopied with a large, spreading, folitary Oak; others were tufted with a Clufter of tapering and verdant Elms. Two or three Gafcades, gleaming from afar, as they poured along the flanting Rock, or the graffy Slope, gave a pleafing Variation to the Profpect. While they ftartled the timorous unexperienced Fawns, with their foaming Current, and watery Roar.-Grandeur and Simplicity feemed to be the Genius of the Place. Every Thing breathed an Air of noble Negligence, and artless Majesty.

In the Center of all, rofe a curious, romantic Mount.-Its Form was exactly round. Somewhat like a Sugar-loaf, whofe Cone is lopt off, a little below the Point.-Not coeval with Nature, but the Work of human Industry.. Thrown up, 'tis fuppofed, in those perilous Times, when Britain was alarmed by foreign Invasions, or bled with inteftine Wounds. It was covered, all around, with Elderhrubs. Whose Ranks, gradually rifing, and spreading Shade above Shade, compofed a kind of woody. Theatre. Through which were ftruck two or three Spiral Walks; leading, by a gentle Afcent, and under embowering Verdure, to the Summit.-At pro per Intervals, and on every Side of the Hill, were formed little Arbours; with Apertures, cut through the Boughs, to admit a Profpect of the Country.In one or other of thefe leafy Boxes, You command, at every Hour of the Day, either the enlivenVOL. I.

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ing Sun, or the refreshing Shade. All along the circling Avenues, and all around the beauteous Refts, fprung Daffodils, Primrofes, and Violets: which, mingling with Hyacinths and Cowflips, composed many a charming Piece of natural Mosaic.

How agreeable, as they climb and wind themfelves round the Hill, to reflect on the happy Change, which has now taken place!Where freely Helmets gleamed, or brazen Shields clafled, the Gold finches twitter their Loves, and difplay their painted Plumes. The Dens of Rapine, or the horrid Haunts. of Bloodshed, are become the Retreats of calm. Con templation, and friendly Converse. In yonder lower Spaces, where the armed Troops were wont to pa trol; from whence they made Excurfions, to ravage the Villages, or terrify the Swains; the Fallow-deer: trip lightly, or the full-headed Stags ftand at bay

From a fmall Eminence, but at a confiderable Distance, gushed a Couple of Springs. Which, rame bling through a Grove, loft one another in the fhady Labyrinth. Emerging, at length, from the Gloom, they approached nearer and nearer, and fell into Embraces at the Foot of this Hill. They rolled, in amicable Conjunction, along the pebbly Chan nek, which incircles its Bafis; and added their fam ber Melody to the fprightly Warbling of the Birds.. Flowing off in one commoni Stream, they formed the fine Pieces of Water, which beautified the Park. From thence, they ftole into the Meadow, and widened into a River. There, enamoured as it were with each other, they glide by wealthy Towns, and sweep through flowery Vales; regardless of the blooming Toys,, which deck the one, and of the noify Crowds, which throng the other.

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So, faid Afpafio, may Theron and his Selina, pleafing and pleased with each other, pass through the bufy and the amufing Scenes of Life; neither captivated by the one, nor anxious for the other. With fuch harmonious Agreement, and indiffoluble Union, may they parfue the Courfe, marked out by Providence; their Happinefs increafing, and their Ufefulness enlarging, as they draw nearer the Ocean of all Good. Then, parted by a gentle Stroke of Fate, like the Waters of fome ample Stream fevered by the Piers of an intervening Bridge, may they fpeedily reunite Reunite in confummate Blifs, and never be feparated more!

Ther. I thank You, Afpafio, for your affectionate Compliment. Nor can I with You, by way of Re turn, a greater Recompence, than the continual Exercise of such a benevolent Temper. For, to exercife Benevolence, is to enjoy the most refined and exalted Pleafure; fuch as makes the nearest Approaches to the Felicity of the eternal Mind; who, as the Scripture moft beautifully speaks, has Pleafure in the Profperity of his Servants.

But while We are feated on this Mount, our Situation reminds Us of (what You just now men→ tioned) the grand Conference relating to the Death of CHRIST:An Event, for which you have indeed accounted; but in a Manner, not the most honourable to the divine Attributes.

Afp. I have reprefented it, as a Ranfem for our Souls, and a Sacrifice for our Sins. If You difapprove my Account, be pleafed to favour me with your own. For what Purpose, according to your Opinion, did that ever-blessed PERSON die?

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