cause I would apprise my friends, and the friends of our common Christianity, that the field is clear and open for them to advance; that I resign to others the glorious combat, and shall content myself with wishing them success in the name of the Lord: Because it becomes a person in my declining state to be more peculiarly intent upon encountering a different adversary, who is sure to overcome, and never allows quarter. Yet by this "word of my testimony, and by the blood of the Lamb," Rev. xii. 11. I hope to triumph even when I fall; and to be more than conqueror, through Jehovah my righteousness.

Should any thing be urged forcible enough to overthrow my arguments, or detect a mistake in my sentiments, the world may depend upon seeing a free and undissembled retraction. I shall look upon it as a duty which I owe to my conscience, to my readers, and to my God, publicly to acknowledge the error.It is one thing to be silent; another to be obstinate. As I shall inflexibly adhere to the first, I would with equal steadiness renounce the last. Though I withdraw from the strife of pens and of tongues, I shall take care to preserve a mind ever accessible to truth, ever open to conviction; a mind infinitely more concerned for the purity and prosperity of the everlasting gospel, than for the prevalence of my own opinion, or the credit of my own performance.

As I have the happiness of being a member, and the honour of being a minister, of the reformed established church, I cannot but reflect, with a peculiar pleasure, that every doctrine of note maintained in these dialogues and letters, is either implied in our Liturgy, asserted in our Articles, or taught in our Homilies. It affords me likewise some degree of satisfaction to observe, that the most material of the sentiments have been adopted by Milton, are incorporated into his Paradise Lost, and add dignity to the sublimest poem in the world. To have the highest human authority, and the first genius of the nation, on a writer's side, is no contemptible support. This must surely

give a sanction, wherever our religious establishment is reverenced, or polite literature is held in repute. Yet even this sanction, compared with the oracle of revelation, is only like a range of ciphers connected with the initial figure, which, were they detached, would be insignificant, but, in such a subordination, are considerable.

Perhaps it should be farther acknowledged, that I have not always confined myself to the method of our systematic writers, nor followed their train of thoughts with a scrupulous regularity. I would conduct my fellow-creature to the supreme and eternal good, Christ Jesus. I have chosen the path which seemed most agreeable and inviting, rather than most beaten and frequented. If this leads, with equal certainty, to the great and desirable end, I dare promise myself an easy excuse. However, that method and order, in the doctrinal parts of the plan, are not wholly neglected, the preceding summary of contents may shew.

OR, A

SERIES OF DIALOGUES AND LETTERS

ON THE

MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECTS.

DIALOGUE I.

THERON was a gentleman of fine taste, of accurate rather than extensive reading, and particularly charmed with the study of nature. He traced the planets in their courses, and examined the formation of the meanest vegetable, not merely to gratify a refined curiosity, but chiefly to cultivate the nobler principles of religion and morality. Several discoveries he made, and every discovery he improved to this important end—to raise in his mind more exalted apprehensions of the Supreme Being, and to enlarge his affections with a disinterested benevolence, conformable, in some degree, to that boundless liberality which pervades and animates the whole creation.

ASPASIO was not without his share of polite literature, and philosophical knowledge. He had taken a tour through the circle of the sciences; and, having transiently surveyed the productions of human learning, devoted his final attention to the inspired writings. These he studied with the unbiassed impartiality of a critic, yet with the reverential simplicity of a Christian. These he regarded as the unerring standard of duty -the authentic charter of salvation-and the brightest mirror of the Deity, affording the most satisfactory and sublime display of all the divine attributes.

Theron was somewhat warm in his temper; and would, upon occasion, make use of a little innocent raillery, not to expose his friend, but to enliven the conversation; sometimes disguising his real sentiments, in order to sift the subject, or discover the opinion of others.-Aspasio seldom indulges the humorous or satirical vein, but argues with "meekness of wisdom;"* never puts on the appearance of guile, but always speaks the dictates of his heart.

Aspasio was on a visit at Theron's seat. One evening, when some neighbouring gentlemen were just gone, and had left them alone, the conversation took the following turn.

Asp. I would always be ready, both to acknowledge and applaud whatever is amiable in the conduct of others. The gentlemen who gave us their company at dinner, seem to be all of a different character; yet each, in his own way, is extremely agreeable.

Lysander has lively parts, and is quick at repartee; but he never abuses his wit to create uneasiness in the honest heart, and flush the modest cheek with confusion. What solidity of judgment, and depth of penetration, appear in Crito! yet how free are his discourses from the magisterial tone, or the dictatorial solemnity. Philenor's taste in the polite arts is remarkably correct; yet without the least tincture of vanity, or any weak fondness for applause. He never interrupts the progress, or wrests the topic of conversation, in order to shine in his particular province. Trebonius, I find, has signalized his valour in several campaigns. Though a warrior and a traveller, he gives himself no overbearing or ostentatious airs. In Trebonius you see the brave officer, regulated by all the decency of the academic, and sweetened with all the affability of the courtier.

is a most amiable character, and delicately drawn, but is, I think, expressed with greater strength and superior beauty by the sacred penman: "Let him shew out of a good conversation his works, with meekness of wisdom," James iii. 15.

No one affects a morose silence, or assumes an immoderate loquacity. To engross the talk, is tyrannical; to seal up the lips, is monkish. Every one, therefore, from a fund of good sense, contributes his quota; and each speaks, not with an ambition to set off himself, but from a desire to please the

company.

Ther. Indeed, Aspasio, I think myself happy in this accomplished set of acquaintance; who add all the complaisance and politeness of the gentleman, to the benevolence and fidelity of the friend.

Their conversation is as innocent as their taste is refined. They have a noble abhorrence of slander, and detest the low, ungenerous artifices of detraction. No loose jest has either the service of their tongue, or the sanction of their smile. Was you to be with them, even in their freest moments, you would hear nothing that so much as borders upon profaneness, or is in the least injurious to purity of morals.

Asp. There is but one qualification wanting to render your friends completely valuable, and their social interviews a continual blessing.

Ther. Pray, what is that?

Asp. A turn for more serious conferences. Their literary debates are beautiful sketches of whatever is most curious in the sciences, or most delicate in the arts. From their remarks on our national affairs, and on foreign occurrences, a person may almost form a system of politics. But they never touch upon any topic of morality; never celebrate the sublime perfections of the Deity; never illustrate the beauties, nor enforce the truths

Ther. Fie upon you, Aspasio, for your unpolite hint! Who can forbear interrupting the harangue which pleads for such an outrageous violation of the mode? would introduce edifying talk into our fashionable assemblies? How is it that you, who, in other instances, are a gentleman of refinement, can be so strangely inelegant in this particular?

Asp. For such a practice, Theron, we have no in