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may afford Us Leifure, to canvafs this Question more minutely.

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Afp. Though I have never much Inclination, even when there is the most Leifure, for Controverly;; yet, if You insist upon it, I fhall not absolutely refufe to engage in a Debate with my Theron. Becaufe, He will come to the amicable Rencounter, without bringing angry Paffions for his Second. My Reasons will be impartially weighed, not art fully eluded, much lefs anfwered with Invective.If fome inadvertent Expreffion fhould drop from my Lips, He will not rigorously profecute the Slip; nor aggravate an unguarded Sentence into the Crime of Herefy.-Candour will form his Judgment, and Good-nature dictate his Expreffions.

Ther. I thank You, my dear Afpafio, for your genteel Admonition. What I am, in the Language of Complaifance, means, What I fhould be.-Well: `I will endeavour to take your Hint, and check this my Impetuofity of Spirit. I have admired, O! that I could imitate, the beautiful Example of St. Paul When Feftus, forgetting the Dignity of the Governor, and the Politenefs of the Gentleman, uttered that indecent Reflection; Paul, thou art befide thyfelf: much Learning doth make Thee mad. Did the great Preacher of Christianity kindle into Refentment? The Charge was unjust and abufive. But the Apoftle, with a perfect Command of Himfelf, returned the fofteft, yet the most spirited Answer imaginable. I am not mad, most noble Feftus; but Speak the Words of Truth and Soberness *.-Inexpreffibly

See Acts xxvi. Where We have an Apology, the most delicate and masterly, perhaps, that ever was made; eminent

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preffibly graceful was this calm and obliging Reply. Though fhort, infinitely more convincing than a whole Torrent of bitter or recriminating Words. It difarmed the Judge of his rifing Displeasure; it conciliated the Favour of his royal Affeffor; and brought Honour to the Chriftian Cause.

This amiable Self-Regimen, and Moderation of Temper, I fhall be fure to fee exemplified in my Friend's Converfation; however I may fail of it myfelf, or be Proof against all his Arguments.

Afp. Ah! Theron, We want no Monitor, to remind Us of our fuppofed Excellencies. And if You begin with your Compliments, it is Time to put an end to our Difcourfe.

Only let me juft obferve, That divine Truths cannot be properly difcerned, but by the enlightening Influences of the Divine SPIRIT. We muft addrefs Ourselves to this Enquiry, not only with unprejudiced Minds, but likewife with praying Hearts. We must bring to this Difpute, not barely the Quiver of Logic, but that Unction from the HOLY ONE,

eminent for fine Addréfs, clear Reafoning, and important Truth. Which, notwithstanding all thefe very fuperior Recommendations, is deemed Madness: and that, by a Nobleman from Rome; the Seat of Science, and Fountain-head of polite Literature.-An Evidence this, no lefs demonstrative than deplorable, of the Apoftle's Affertion; The natural Man, however ingenious or accomplished, receiveth not the Things of the SPIRIT of GOD: Nay, they are Foolishness unto Him. The Roman Virtue, and the Athenian Philofophy; the felf-admiring Pharifee, and the free-thinking Sadducee; all concur to pour Contempt upon that Perfon and that Righteoufnefs, which are the one adequate Object of the divine Delight. Therefore our LORD moft juftly declared; Bleed is He, whofoever shall not be offended in me.

ONE, which may teach Us all Things *.-Let Us then adopt the Poet's Aspiration;

Thou celeftial Light,

Shine inward, and the Mind through all her Powers Irradiate; there plant Eyes; all Mift from thence Purge and difperfe!

MILTON, B. III. 51.

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DIALOGUE III.

THERON.

E are now, Afpafio, about two Miles diftant from my Houfe. The HorfeRoad lies through a narrow dufty Lane. The Foot-Path leads along a fpacious pleasant Meadow. Suppofe, We deliver our Horfes to the Servant, and walk the Remainder of the Way?

Afp. You could not make a Proposal, more agreeable to my Inclination. Especially, as the Air is become cool, and the Walk is fo inviting.

What a magnificent and charming Scene?-Hills, on either Side, gently rifing, and widely fpreading. Their Summits, crowned with fcattered Villages, and clustering Trees. Their Slopes, divided into a beauteous Chequer-work; confifting partly of Tillage, with its waving Crops; partly of Pafturage, with its grazing Herds.-Before Us, the Trefoil, the Clover, and a Variety of graffy Plants, differently bladed, and differently branched, weave themselves into a Carpet of living Green. Can any of the Manufactures formed in the Looms, or extended in the Palaces of Perfia, vie with the Cover

ing

ing of this ample Area? Vie with it, in Grandeur of Size, or Delicacy of Decoration?

What a Profufion of the gayeft Flowers, fringing the Banks, and embroidering the Plain !--Nothing can be brighter, than the Luftre of those filver Daifies; nothing deeper, than the Tinge of thofe golden Crowfoots. Yet, both feem to acquire additional Livelinefs, by fucceeding to the Deformity of Winter, and by flourishing amidst the freshest Verdure.

Ther. Nature is truly in her Prime.-The vegetable Tribes are putting on their richeft Attire. Those Chefnuts, on our Right-hand, begin to rear their flowering Pyramids; thofe Willows, on our left, are tipt with Taffels of Grey; while yonder Poplars, which overlook the River, and seem to command the Meadows, are pointed with Rolls of Silver.

The Hawthorn, in every Hedge, is partly turgid with filken Gems, partly diffused into a milk-white Bloom. Not a fraggling Furze, nor a folitary Thicket on the Heath, but wears a rural Nofegay. Even amidft that neglected Dike, the Arum * rifes in humble State; moft curiously shrouded in her leafy Tabernacle, and furrounded with luxuriant Families, each diftinguished by a peculiar Livery. F 4

of

Arum-a wild Herb, which unfolds but one Leaf; formed after a very fingular Pattern; bearing fome Refemblance to the Hare's Ear. It is really one of the prettiest Fancies in Nature's Wardrobe. So much admired by the Country People, that they have dignified it with the Appellation of Lords and Ladies. Because it looks, I fuppofe, fomewhat like a Perfon of Quality, fitting, with an Air of Ease and Dignity, in his open Sedan,..

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