with them. The latter was persuaded by her words, and Satan restrained himself till he ascertained what she was, and why she addressed him as father, and that phantom as son. He added,

I know thee not, nor ever saw till now
Sight more detestable than him and thee.

She reminded him that once in heaven, when combining with many seraphim in bold conspiracy against God, the left side of his head opening, there sprung out an armed goddess, strongly resembling himself in shape and countenance, then shining heavenly fair. The host of heaven shunned her at first, and called her Sin; but after a time many became familiar with her, and even the most averse were won by her attractive graces, and took pleasure in the company of this lovely being. Satan himself was particularly delighted with her. Sin then proceeded to inform him that when the Son of God triumphed over his enemies, she was driven into the deep. The key of hell was put into her hand, with a charge to keep the gates for ever shut: Before then she sat alone till she had a son, an odious offspring, who as soon as he was

C 2

born brandished his fatal dart, made to destroy. The mother

Fled, and cried out Death;

Hell trembled at the hideous name, and sigh'd
From all her caves, and back resounded-Death!

Eliza.-Dear Mamma, what a shocking account! Is it not a kind of allegory, signifying that there would have been no death but for sin?

Emily. And does not sin coming out of Satan's head mean, that he was the first who formed a sinful thought?

Mamma.-You are both right. I wish you all, my dear children, to remember that the angels who at first feared and shunned Sin, loved her after she was become familiar with them. Those children, are highly favoured that have parents or friends who keep them as much as possible from seeing and hearing what is sinful; because when often in bad company, there is much danger of forgetting that "God is angry with the wicked every day," and that he will cast them into hell, unless they repent and receive pardon through Jesus Christ.

William.-Pray, Mamma, what is the meaning of the dogs that barked round Sin?

Mamma.-They were her offspring, and well are the sorrows of Sin represented by these yelling monsters, which preyed upon the entrails of their parent, surrounding her with ceaseless cries, that rest or intermission none she found. After speaking of her hateful progeny to Satan, she proceeded,

Before mine eyes in opposition sits

Grim Death, my son and foe, who sets them on,
And me, his parent, would full soon devour
For want of other prey, but that he knows
His end with mine involv'd.

The cunning fiend now called Sin his dear daughter, and Death their fair son, telling them he came no enemy, but to set both free from that dark, dismal house of pain. He made known the purpose of his journey, and promised to return and take them to earth, where they should be fed and filled immeasurably; for all things should be their prey. Both seemed highly pleased, and

Death

Grinn'd horribly a ghastly smile, to hear
His famine should be fill'd.

As no other power in hell could open the gates, Sin took from her side the fatal key, -sad instrument of all our woe,-and with

ease unfastened every iron, or solid rock.

bolt and bar of massy

You are too young, my children, to be entertained by an account of Satan's laborious and difficult journey before he saw our earth, which appeared to him at a distance to be a very small star.

Emily.-See, Mamma, our cousins are coming across the field, may I ṛun and invite them to drink tea with us this evening?

Mamma.-You may, my love, and I beg you and William will bear in mind what I said last week respecting your behaviour to them. Their Mamma being dead, they have not at present the advantages you possess. It is very unamiable to laugh at their ignorance, and talk in a boasting way of the many things you know. Such conduct is displeasing to God.

William.-I am very sorry, dear Mamma, and we will be exceedingly kind to them. You may ask Eliza to-morrow how we have behaved, as you will not return home before we go to bed.

CHAPTER IV.

Mamma.-I am glad to hear you were good children last evening, and as your writing-master cannot come to-day, and the rain prevents your taking a walk, I will proceed with my story :

When Satan drew near the earth, God spoke to his beloved Son of the disobedience of man, which He foresaw would be the consequence of the devil's temptation. The Almighty said that in order to satisfy divine justice, the first man and all his posterity must be eternally punished,

Unless for him

Some other able, and as willing, pay

The rigid satisfaction, death for death.

Say, heav'nly powers, where shall we find such love?

Which of ye will be mortal to redeem

Man's mortal crime, and just th' unjust to save ?
Dwells in all heaven charity so dear?

He ask'd, but all the heav'nly choir stood mute,
And silence was in heav'n.

Observe, my children, this passage implies that an angel, a created being, might have redeemed us, might have borne the punish