the Babes, the young Men, the Fathers in CHRIST. The Perception, the Affurance, the comfortable Enjoyment of the Mercy, may increase. But the Mercy itself is incapable of Augmentation.

The various Advances in Sanctification account for the various Degrees of future Glory. And not account for them only, but render them intirely reasonable; and, according to our Apprehenfion of Things, unavoidable. -As to fettling the Proportion, We may fafely leave that to the SUPREME ARBITRATOR. He, who meteth out the Heavens with a Span, and fetteth a Compass upon the Face of the Deep, cannot be at a loss to adjust this Particular.

Ther. The Organs of Hearing, though not precisely, are very nearly, of the fame Bulk, in the Babe and the Man. They acquire, from advancing Years, fcarce any Thing more than an Increase of Solidity. So that I make no Objection to your Illuftration, but only to your Doctrine.

If CHRIST has done all, and we are intitled to his whole Merits only by believing; to be faved must be the eafieft Thing in the World. Whereas, the Bible reprefents Christianity, as

a

be in different Degrees. So, once in the Wilderness, all "gathered not Manna in the fame Measure; yet, when "all came to measure, they had all alike; none above an "Omer, none under." Lightfoot, Vol. II. p. 1052.

a fharp Warfare, a State of Wrestling, a Course of Striving-In good Truth, Afpafio, You prophecy pleafing Things. Divinity is not your Profeffion; or elfe, I fhould number You among "the smooth, emollient, downy Doc"tors." For, according to the Articles of your Creed, there is no more Difficulty in fecuring Heaven, than in rifing from our Seat.

Afp. A fpeculative Affent to all the Principles of Religion, is, I acknowledge, a very eafy Matter. It may, it must exist, whenever there is a tolerable Capacity for Reasoning, and a due Attention to Evidence.-This notional Faith forced its Way into the Breast of Simon the Sorcerer *; and extorted a Confeffion from the dying Lips of Julian + the Apoftate. Irrefiftible as the Stroke of Lightning, terrible also as its fiery Glare, it flashes Con

*Acts viii. 13.

† It is related in Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, That, when the Emperor Julian was fetting out upon his Parthian Expedition, He threatened to perfecute the Christians with the utmost Severity, as foon as He returned victorious.-Upon this Occafion, Libanius the Rhetorician, with an infulting Air, afked one of them; What the Carpenter's Son was doing, while fuch a Storm hung over his Followers?-The Carpenter's Son, replied the Christian, is making a Coffin for your Emperor.-The Event proved the Answer to be prophetic. For, in an Engagement with the Enemy, the wretched Apoftate was mortally wounded; and cried, with his expiring Breath, Vicifti, O Galilæe! I am vanquished, O Galilean! Thy Right-hand hath the Pre-eminence!

Conviction into the very Devils. Even those execrable Spirits believe and tremble *.

But the Faith, which, far from resting in Speculation, exalts the Defires; regulates the Paffions; and refines the whole Conversation -the Faith which, according to the expreffive Language of Scripture, purifies the Heart; overcomes the World; and fets the Affections on Things above this truly noble and triumphant Faith, is no fuch eafy Acquifition. This is the Gift of an infinite Benefactor: the Work of a divine Agent. Called, therefore, by way of fuper-eminent Diftinction, Faith of the Operation of GOD. Because, GOD himself, by the effectual Working of his mighty Power, produces it in the human Soul.

The Exercife of this Faith, I would not compare to an active Gentleman, rifing from his Seat; but rather to a hip-wrecked Mariner, labouring to gain fome Place of Safety.He efpies a large Rock, that rears its Head above the boisterous Flood. To this He bears away, and to this He approaches: but, whirling Winds, and dafhing Waves, drive Him back to an unhappy Distance.-Exerting all his Strength, He advances nearer still; and attempts to climb the defirable Eminence. When, a fweeping Surge interpofes, and drenches Him again in the rolling Deep.

* Jam. ii. 19. + Col. ii. 12,

By

By determined Efforts, He recovers the Space He had loft. Now, He faftens on the Cliff, and has almost escaped the Danger. But, there is such a Numbness in his Limbs, that He cannot maintain his Hold; and fuch an impetuous Swell in the Ocean, that He is once more diflodged, and plunged afresh into the raging Billows. What can he do? His Life, his precious Life, is at ftake. He must renew, ftill renew his Endeavours. And let Him not abandon Himself to Defpair. The MASTER fees Him, amidft all his fruitless Toil. Let Him cry earneftly, LORD, fave me! I perish! and HE, who commandeth the Winds and the Waves, will be fure to put forth his Hand, and rescue Him from the devouring Waters.

Such, my Friend, fo painful, fo affiduous are the Struggles of Faith; before it can rest, in peaceful Security, on the Rock of Ages, CHRIST JESUS. Of this You may, fome Time or other, be affured, not only from my Lips, but from your own Experience.

Ther. What may happen in fome future Period of Time, is beyond my Power to foresee. At present, I am apt to think, We must put a stop to the theological Lecture. Don't You remember our Engagement with Altinous? And You will own, that Punctuality in performing our Promises, is at least a moral Virtue, if it be not a chriftian Grace.

DIALOGUE VI.

A

SPASIO's Affairs called Him to London. He ftaid in Town a few Days but as foon as Bufi

:

ness was finished, he quitted the City, and haftened to his Friend's Country-Seat. Upon his Arrival, He found fome agreeable Company, that came on purpose to spend the Evening with the Family. This Incident prevented the immediate Prosecution of their Subject.-As the next Morning proved misty, and unfit for walking abroad, Theron invited Afpafio to pafs an Hour in his Study.

It was fituate at the Extremity of a large Gallery: which, while it conducted the Feet to a Repository of Learning, interpofed between the Ear, and all the Disturbance of domeftic Affairs. So that You are accommodated with every Thing, that may regale a studious Mind; and incommoded with nothing, that

may