the difficulty exists. Hence we find that ocular demonstration is attended with feeming anomalies. If any perfon had prophetically told Archimedes, or the great philofopher Eudoxus, that vifion would one day be wonderfully affifted by art; and that the manner of improving fight would be to place a dark body directly between the object, and the eye, they must have thought the prophet out of his fenfes. And when they heard, that the other way was— in viewing an object not to look at it, but to keep the eye in a quite different direction; what must these learned men have thought of fuch means of improvement? How could they digeft thefe doctrines, by which they were taught, that fight would be helped by impediments; and that the best way of feeing an object was to look another way? Yet whoever is at all acquainted with the Gregorian telescope, must know, that fuch a dark body does intervene between the eye and the object: and in the Newtonian inftrument the fight is directed fideways at an angle of 90 degrees. Yet the system is true, and fight

greatly benefited: and when once known, the whole is found confonant to reason as well as experience.

If then we meet with many things in common life, and worldly fcience, which feem difficult to comprehend, and fome beyond our reason; we must expect to find others above our reason in that grand system of life and immortality, which Providence has laid before us. And it is our duty to acquiefce; and trust to the word of God, which cannot deceive.

Concerning Scruples and Difficulties, which obtrude themselves after Conviction.

When we are certified of the authenticity of the scriptures; and are fully convinced, that the Christian religion is true, and of divine original, we must guard against any subsequent impediments; fuch as the facred writers call ftumbling-blocks, and rocks of offence. If there fhould occur any thing, which we do not comprehend, it should be paffed by without any undue hesitation. For we must not fuffer, what we do not know, to come in competition with that

a

which we do. Ignorance must never be put in a balance against knowledge; nor uncertainty against manifest proof: for who would weigh a fhadow against a substance? The fcriptures, as I have often mentioned, are of a curious texture: and, if carefully examined, will often by the context folve the feeming difficulties, which arife, and explain themselves. Befides, much must be left for future investigation: for though the mine is rich and inexhaustible: yet the ore is not always fuperficial. It therefore requires both labour and time to arrive at that, which lies deep. We must not therefore be discouraged in our pursuits, though the truth may not be immediately obvious.

I have high authority for this mode of reasoning; which, I hope, I may take the liberty to produce. When a Great Personage fome years ago was visiting her Royal Nursery, a moft amiable * Princefs, who was at that time about fix years old, ran with a book in her hand, and tears in her

• Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary.

eyes,

eyes, and faid-Madam, I cannot comprehend it; I cannot comprehend it. Her Majefty, with true parental affection, looked upon the Princefs, and told her not to be alarmed. What you cannot comprehend today, you may comprehend to-morrow: and what you cannot attain to this year, you may arrive at the next. Do not therefore be frightened with little difficulties: but attend to what you do know, and the reft will come in time. This is a golden rule; and well worthy of our observation.

Many articles which feem complicated, and inveloped, will in due feafon, by an eafy and spontaneous evolution, unfold themselves; and appear obvious to the understanding. When therefore we are confirmed in our faith, and convinced of the great and effential truths of the gospel, we should not yield to idle furmifes: nor let our ignorance get the fuperiority of our knowledge. On the contrary we should stand firm, and wait with patience, if haply new light may break in, and this darkness be removed. But suppose it to be in some instances permanent: what fignifies a little

remote shade and obfcurity to those, who enjoy the brightness of day? Even to the laft there will be fome things, to which human wisdom in this life cannot attain.

The Chriftian Syftem faid to be too local and partial.

Many ferious perfons have thought it unaccountable, that the Christian religion, if it be fo excellent, fhould want univerfality. Hence undue fcruples have fometimes arisen to the prejudice of their faith, and peace of mind. This objection is couched in terms, which are liable to miflead; for when we are told, that it wants, &c. we are led to infer, that there is a defect in the system; and that it fails in fome material article. Whereas the excellence of its doctrines does not depend upon time, or place; but is the fame, whether limited, or extended. Light is light, whether confined in a fepulchral monument; or diffused through the whole folar fyftem. If then we properly state the objection, it amounts only to this, that Christianity is not univerfally admitted, and therefore, as it is inti

mated,