SECTION VII.

Application.

WE find from the foregoing sections that the teffera was the testimonial and pledge of the most perfect friendship; the obligations of which were mutual, facred, and indissoluble, and the benefits perpetual. The little token was carefully and privately kept, that no one might claim and enjoy its privileges, but he for whom they were intended. And this cuftom, I have thought, gives the most natural explication of the following paffage in REVELATIONS ii. 17. To him that overcometh will I give a white ftone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth faving he that receiveth it. Allowing the verse to refer to the beforementioned method of commencing and perpetuating a special Friendfhip, the promise will be to this effect: To him that overcometh will I give a pledge of my affection which shall constitute him my FRIEND, and entitle him to privileges and

W

honors, of which none else can know the value or extent.*

THE following apoftrophe in Dr. WATTS' lxxviii hymn of the 1ft book, is a happy illustration of this paffage. It represents the Saint entreating his beloved Lord.

"O let my name engraven ftand
Both on thy heart and on thy hand,
Seal me upon thine arm, and wear
That pledge of love forever there!

Stronger than death thy love is known,
Which floods of wrath could never drown;
And hell and earth in vain combine
To quench a flame fo much divine.

But I am jealous of my heart,
Left it should once from thee depart;
Then let thy name be well imprest

As a fair fignet on my breast !"

* See more particularly DISCOURSE V

SEC. VIII.

Objections removed.

THE opinion of learned commentators upon this verse in the Apocalypfe, so far as they differ from this explanation, will be confidered as leffening its confequence; the object of this fection, therefore, is to make fome remarks upon the most plausible conftructions of this paffage. The explications which have been generally adopted, are the following.

1. THE text has been confidered as alluding to the black and white ftones with which the judges, among the antients, condemned or acquitted the criminal.

"Mos erat antiquis, niveis atrifque lapillis,
His damnare reos, illis abfolvere culpa."*

BUT the latter part of the verse convinces us that it could not intend this practice; for on these tefferæ there was no name written.

* Ovid.

2. OTHERS have fuppofed it an allufion to the stone given to fervants when they were liberated by their mafters, accompanied by the name of Freedman. Yet the benefit, the honor, and the privileges of this emancipation must be conferred in vain, or rather could not be given at all, unless known to others befides him who received them.

3. IT has again been fuppofed to allude to the token or ticket gieven to the conqueror in the olympic games, expreffing his name and fignifying the reward he was to receive for his achievements: but here the name must be known or the reward could not be procured.

CHAP. II.

OF THE ARRHA HOSPITALE.

THIS name was given to the pocket-pieces, or keep-fakes, formed by breaking a piece of money in two. Such broken coins are frequently found at Rome. On one fide are the heads of AUG. CESAR and M. AGRIPPA; on the other a crocodile chained to a tree, with the words COL. NEM. [COLONIA NE MAUSUS] a province of Gaul, with which thofe Princes were rewarded after the con

queft of Egypt. See in the Frontispiece, E, c.

PLAUTUS introduces Palæftrio, in his comedy entitled "Miles Gloriofus," presenting a token of this name.

"HUNC arrabonem amoris primum a me recipe."* The Romans, probably, obtained both the word and the custom from the antient Hebrews. The word is used, 1 Samu

A&t. IV. Scen. 1.