buted thereby to caft fome of them into opinions, and perhaps practices, contrary both to the truth and commandments of the chriftian religion. I do acknowledge, that having difcourfed freely with the author of the Critical History, and having heard from his own mouth, that he allowed yet lefs (encore moins) the authority of the New Teftament, than that of the Old, which should naturally have obliged me to avoid all communication with him, yet I furnished him with money to execute a design which he had framed of a Critical Polyglot Bible; which, after the declaration he had made to me, I think I ought to have confidered as a defign which tended to destroy the certainty of the books of the New Testament as well as the Old. I believe this project of a Polyglot Bible, was innocent enough in itself, and might have been likewife confiderably useful, in the manner agreed between Father SIMON, a friend of mine, and my felf. But however that may be, I cannot forgive my felf, after what I knew of that Father's opinion, concerning the authority of the Scripture, for embarking my self with a man who had fo plainly declared his thoughts to me in that matter. And fo much the rather, because, upon confideration, I fee well enough how the execution of this defign would have increased in me those loofe principles, which I had already received from reading the Critical Hiftory. This confeffion I make with all poffible fincerity, and with much grief for having offended God by so great a sin, for which I heartily beg pardon of him; and I do earneftly befeech all thofe that may, to any degree, have been feduced either by my discourses or example, that they would seriously reflect upon the danger they are in, that they may be delivered from it in time, and from fuch judgments of God as he has been pleas'd to lay upon me. This confeffion I have written and figned with my own hand, to the end, that if I fhould die before I can speak with those whom I have perverted by my example, they may return to themselves and to God, as I do by this folemn proteftation, which I make to them, that the opinions which I have taught them, were nothing but the effect of my pride and vanity, which I unfeignedly condemn, defigning to live and die in those laid down in the Scriptures. April 5. 1688, J. HAMBDEN. This paper was inclosed in another, on the back fide whereaf was written as follows. There is a paper herein inclosed, which Mr. ALLIX brought me, April 25. 1688. from Mr. J. HAMBDEN; which, if I die, I defire and charge my executors to deliver, as it is thus fealed up, without looking into it, unto the faid Mr. J. HAMBDEN, or his father, if alive, or to fome of his nearest and best relations and friends. SIMON PATRICK, Bp. Ely. Which wrapper was inclofed in another, upon which was written, This paper was left in my hands by Dr. ALLIX, Sept. 21. 1690. If I die, this is to charge my executors to deliver it as it is, into the hands of the faid Dr. ALLIX, or to such person as he shall appoint, under his hand, and by no means to open the fame. SIR, To the STUDEN T. Coll. Cam. Nov. 24. 1750. Am a new correspondent: if you approve of the under I write, be fo good as to infert it in your next num ber. I am, fir, A Your humble fervrant, and admirer. ESSAY I Qua moveant animum. Somnia narras, MART. Lib. vii. Ep. 53 S I was fet in my great chair the other night after reading LUCIAN'S Auction of Lives, with the wit of which I was not a little diverted, in the midst of a train of thought I infenfibly fell asleep, when fancy prefented to me the following vision. Methought there was a general auction proclaim'd, a large room chosen, and an aerial auctioneer presented himself to fell furniture for the mind of every fort. The first thing he expos'd to fale was vice, but the company being well furnish'd with that commodity, none was bought. He then put up virtue; and, after having according to cuftom enlarg❜d upon its excellencies, immediately a confus'd murmur ran thro' the room. Every one admir'd the beauties of it, and recommended it to his friend, as exceeding useful and neceffary; but ftill I was furpriz'd, that, amidst such general admiration, no body bid for it. At laft a feeble fqueaking voice offer'd a large price; I enquir'd who it was, and found it to be an old finner of fourfcore. As nobody bid more, he carry'd it off; but as he was fo exceeding ill and weak, it was not likely be liv'd to make use of it. Good fenfe was the next expos'd to fale. I expected that would have been immediately contended for, as I knew it was was fcarce; but I was mistaken.- -While I was wondering at this univerfal filence (-my candid reader knows what he must attribute it to-) I saw a certain author, furrounded by his friends, who were perfuading him to get it; he look'd angry at their follicitations, but to get rid of 'em offer'd a fum for it, with fuch an air however, as fhew'd he thought his money thrown away in a needlefs purchase.It was his without contention; but I was extremely delighted (nor was I the only one) with the confequence: for he had no fooner got good fenfe into his poffeffion, than he look'd like one amaz'd, and immediately running up to a fire that was in the room, pull'd out a large bundle of papers, and threw them into it. As they lay there, I cou'd plainly see what they were, but I beg to be excus'd difcovering any more of 'em than that in one leaf I faw the words GRUBSTREET CRITIC, in capitals. When they were confumed, he look'd very well pleas'd, and vow'd he wou'd never fet pen to paper again. Modefty came next, and I was pleas'd to see a young officer purchase it, and immediately retire with a becoming blush upon his countenance. An atheist fet up a loud laugh at religion appearing next; but bid for it, becaufe, as he faid, he was refolved to ex'pofe the phantom to the world. As the auctioneer deliver'd her to him, seeing him furpriz'd at her extraordinary beauty, he affur'd him, that a few hours ferious converfation and intimate acquaintance with her, wou'd make him relinquish his ill opinion, and fix him one of her great admirers. At fight of heathen morality, which was next put up, all the company feem'd to admire her fize, her majeftic port, and an air of folemn grandeur, that seem'd fettled in her countenance; fhe look'd with great dignity, and appear'd to view the world with a contempt, which yet methought, did not appear real. However fo generally was fhe admir'd, that many bid largely for her; but one man I obferv'd feem'd refolv'd upon the purchase. Upon enquiry who he was, I was inform'd he went by the name of Philofopher Square; he at laft last obtain'd her, and went eagerly to grafp his prize, as he thought, when, behold!Fruftra comprenfa manus effugit imago, the eluded his grasp and discover'd herself to be nothing but an airy phantom. Our auctioneer immediately produc'd christian morality, and if the company was delighted with the fight of the above-mention'd phantom, with this angelic appearance they were ravish'd; love, compaffion, mercy, and a thoufand beauties bloom'd on her looks, and beam'd from every heaven-form'd feature.- -While we were taken up in admiring this heavenly maid, the auctioneer prefented her to the company voluntarily, with an affurance that the great God of heaven and earth had fent that glorious Being, to inform our minds, to rectify our paffions, and to make us capable of an eternity of happiness. After many more which I have forgot, philofophy was propos'd to fale; fhe had an agreeable aspect and seem'd worth obtaining. A serious grave man bought her, and went to take her, when, to the great furprize of us all, fhe flipt from him, and fled with incredible fwiftness. The purchaser, unwilling to lose his prize, purfued, and we foon loft fight of 'em; but the auctioneer affur'd us 'twou'd be impoffible for him to overtake, or even long to keep her in fight. Upon this he offer'd real wisdom. A modeft-looking youth feem'd greatly enamour'd of her, and obtain'd her; upon his receiving her, fhe presented him with a label, on which was this infcription. not to know at large of things remote Many |