innocent; they condemn it, as foolish *, base †, and criminal t.-Neither does this make the AU THOR of our Nature, the Author of our Sin. But it proves, that our Nature has fuftained a deftructive Blaft: that it is quite different from its original State: that, what is spoken of the Ifraelitish People, is applicable to the human Race; I planted Thee a noble Vine, wholly a right Seed: how then art Thou turned into the degenerate Plant of a Strange Vine ?

However, let Us observe your Proposal: dwell no longer on general Hints, but defcend to a parti❤ cular Examination. As our Examination will chiefly, respect the Soul, let me enquire, What are her principal Faculties?

Ther. The Understanding, the Will, and the Affections. These are the most distinguishing Powers, which that Queen of the human Oeconomy retains in her Service.-Thefe, like the feveral Diftributions of fome ample River, run through the whole Man; to quicken, fertilize, and enrich all his Converfation. But You reprefent them bitter, as the Waters of Marah; unwholesome, as the Streams of Jericho; noxious, as the Pottage prepared for the Sons of the Prophets.

Afp. Nor is this a Mifrepresentation. For, fuch, they really are; till divine Grace, like Mofes's. Wood S, like Elisha's Salt +, or the Meal ** cast in by that holy Man of GOD, fweeten them, heal them, and render their Operations falutary.

The Understanding claims our first Regard.This, however qualified to ferve the Purposes of ci

vil Life, is unable to discover the Truths, in which Wifdem confifts; or to form the Tempers, from which Happiness flows.

Let Us take our Specimen, not from the uncultivated Savages of Afric, but from the politeft Nation in Europe.-The Grecians piqued themselves on their intellectual Accomplishments. They termed all the reft of Mankind Barbarians. Yet, even thefe Sons of Science, profeffing themselves wife, were, in Fact, egregious Fools *.-Not to enumerate the fhocking Immoralities, which the Poets afcribed to their Deities. Not to infift upon the grofs Idolatries, which the common People practised in their Worship. Even their Philofophers, the moft improved and penetrating Geniuses, were unacquainted with the very first Principle † of true Religion. Even + they could not pronounce, with an unfaultering Tongue,That GOD is ONE."

* Rom. i. 22.

Ther.

The first of all the Commandments is, Hear, O Ifrael, The LORD our GOD is ONE LORD; and Thou falt love the LORD, &c. Mark xii. 29. From which, it appears, that the Unity of the GODHEAD, is the Foundation of all the divine Commandments, and of all human Worship. That it is impoffible to give the LORD the Honour due unto his Name, unlefs We regard Him as the Poffeffor of all Perfection; to whom no Being is equal, or fecond, or in any Degree comparable. Unfaultering-For though, in Plato's Book of Laws, We meet with T8 O-TO EO again and again; yet He foon departs from this found Speech, and relapfes into the Language of Idolatry.

A learned and ingenious Friend, would fain have Socrates exempted from this Charge.-I wifh, I could gratify his benevolent Temper, and fpare that amiable Philofopher. But, however juftly He may exprefs Himself on fome Occasions, at other Times Fie wavers; He evi

dently

Ther. With regard to the Philofophers, the Prejudices of a wrong Education, might pervert their Judgment; or, in compliance with the prevailing Mode, they might adopt Customs, and affent to Notions, which they did not thoroughly approve.

Afp. A poor Compliment this to their Integrity! Had I been their Advocate, methinks, I would have given up the Sagacity of my Clients, rather than their Fidelity to the Caufe of GOD and of Truth.

With reference to the fupreme GOOD, they were equally at a lofs.-There's not one among all the inferior Creatures; not even the crawling Worm,

dently revolts; and is moft pitiably inconfiftent with Himfelf. Even in his excellent Conference with Ariftodemus, where He argues admirably well for the Existence, He cannot fteadily adhere to the Unity of the GODHEAD. Nay; in his laft folemn Apology before his Judges, He publicly renounces the Truth; declares, that He worshipped thofe Gods, which were acknowledged by his Countrymen; worshipped them, and no other; on the fame Feftivals, at the fame Altars, and in the fame (idolatrous) Manner.-No other: thefe are his Words, Ovla γαρ εξωδε αντι Διος, και Ηρας, και των (υν τέλοις Θεων, ελε θύων τισι καινοῖς Δαίμοσιν, είε ομνυς, είτε ονομάζων αλλες Θεός αναTena. SOCR AT. Memor. Lib. I. c. i. Se&. 11, 24.

Let none conclude, from this or any other Paffage, That We would confign over all the Heathens to Damnation. This is as far from our Intention, as it is foreign to the Argument. We are only like Witnefles, fummoned to give in our Evidence. From which it appears, that the very best among the Gentiles, were ignorant of the true GOD; or, if they knew Him, in any Degree, they glorified Him not as GOD; but became vain in their Imagination, and vile in their Worship.-Whether they fhall obtain Mercy, or which of them fhall be Objects of divine Clemency, is left folely to the Determination of their fupreme, unerring, righteous JUDGE:

-Non noftrum eft tantas componere Lites. VIRG.

Worm, or the buzzing Fly; but perceives what is beneficial, and pursues it; difcerns what is pernicious, and avoids it. Yonder Caterpillar, whofe Nourishment is from one particular Species of Vegetables, never makes a wrong Application to another: never is allured by the Fragrance of the Auricula, or dazzled by the Splendor of the Tulip; but conftantly diftinguishes, and as conftantly adheres to the Leaf, which affords her the proper Food. So fagacious are the meanest Animals, with relation to their respective Happiness! While the moft celebrated of the Heathen Sages were, on a Subject of the very fame Import, mere Dotards.-Varro reckons up no less than two hundred and eighty-eight different Opinions, concerning the true Good; and not one of them derives it from the true Source. I mean a Conformity to the ever-bleffed GOD, and an Enjoyment of his infinite Perfections.

If, on these leading Points, they were fo erroneous; no Wonder, that they were bewildered in their other Refearches. No Wonder, that, being thus foolish, they were also disobedient; that, having loft * their Way to Happiness, they took every Deceiver for a Guide, and served divers Lufts and Pleasures.

Ther. We are not enquiring into the Circumstances of this or that particular Nation; but into the State of Mankind in general.

Afp. Caft your Eye, Theron, upon thofe Swallows. They fhoot themselves, with furprising Rapidity, through

Tit. iii. 3. The Origina! is wλavevo.-The Cafe of the Grecians and Romans was touched upon, pag. 120. But the true Decifion of this Enquiry, and the true Character of those People, may be feen, Rom. i. 21, 22, &c. to the End of the Chapter.

through the Air. I fhould take them for fo many living Arrows, were it not for their fhifting, winding, wanton Motions.-Are not these what You call Birds of Paffage?

Ther. These, and fome other of the feathered Race, are our conftant Vifitants in Summer; but leave Us, at the Approach of Winter. As foon as the Weather becomes cold, they affemble themfelves in a Body; and concert Measures, for their Departure. Who convenes the Affembly-What Debates arife-Or how they communicate the Refolution taken-I do not prefume to fay. This is certain, that not one of them diflodges, till the Affair is fettled, and the Proclamation has been published. Not a fingle Loiterer is to be feen, when the Troops are preparing for their Decampment; nor a fingle Straggler to be found, when they have once begun their March. Having finished their Journey through the Land, their Wings become a fort of Sails *; and they launch, though not into, yet over the Ocean. Without any Compass, to regulate their Course; or any Chart, to make Obfervations in their Voyage; they arrive fafely at the defired Shore. And what is ftill more extraordinary, they always find the readieft Way, and the shortest Cut.

Afp. The Stork in the Heavens knoweth her appointed Times: and the Turtle, and the Crane, and the Swallow, obferve the Time of their Coming: but my People know not the Judgment of their GOD +. The young Ones of thofe Birds perceive, how abfolutely neceffary it is, to forfake the Land of their Nativity, and travel in queft of milder Climes.-But our Offspring, even when their Minds begin to open, are brutish in

*

Remigio Alarum. VIRG.

their

+ Jer. viii. 7.