innocence in seasons of real temptation to real evil. We have no more warrant from nature or revealed religion to become, selftormentors, than we have to become selfmurderers; nor can we infringe upon the freedom of others, or our own, in matters of indifference, without departing from that true knowledge of the Christian dispensation which must ever produce Christian liberty.

Encouraged therefore by the promise of the great Author of our faith, let us devoutly and unfeignedly pray, that, guided by the light of the Gospel, and strengthened by the aid of the Spirit, we may be enabled to know the truth, and that the truth thus known, may make us free, from every yoke that is not easy, and every burthen that is not light; from the bondage of superstitious ceremonies and fanatical illusions; and from the tyranny of all those wayward affections and unruly appetites which produce uncharitableness in our tempers, and ungodliness.. in our lives.

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NOTES.

P.g.—The germ of this passion.

THE desire of wealth, fame, knowledge, and perhaps distinction from power, is in some individuals very languid. But the desire of exemption from restraint, instantaneously and invariably at tends our consciousness of strength, whether mental or corporeal, and it may be traced in the freaks of childhood and the exertions of our riper years. In addition to the direct pleasure arising from the attainment of power over other men, the absence of controul from their power over ourselves affords an indirect gratification highly agreeable. And thus we perceive the variety and intenseness of a passion which for the wisest purposes has been implanted in us by the Author of our nature.

P. 14.-Literal interpretations of metaphorical phraseology.

Hujusmodi similitudinis docendi gratia sic ad- ES hibentur in literis sacris, ut tamen non quadrent per omnia, says Erasmus de Libero Arbitrio, Colon. 1524. fol. 27. and again, fol. 36. Arbitror autem præcipuam esse clavem ad divinæ scripturæ intelli. gentiam, si spectemus quid eo in loco agatur: hoc animadverso conveniet ex parabolis aut exemplis illud excerpere, quod ad institutum pertinet. In

parabola

לי

parabola de œconomo qui submovendus ab officio fraude mutat codicillos Domini, quam multa sunt, quæ nihil faciunt ad sensum parabola.

P. 16. By rational cheerfulness.! Vehementer falluntur quidam, says ERASMUS, Dial. Epicur. p. 453. Lond. 1717. qui blaterant Christum natura fuisse tristem quempiamac melancholicum, nosque ad inamænum vitæ genus invitasse. Imo, is unus ostendit vitam omnium suavissimam, veræque voluptatis plenissimam.

P. 16.-Convivial enjoyments...

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That convivial enjoyments are not in their own nature necessarily criminal, is obvious even from the institutions of MOSES.

SP17. Socrates. ›

In the following passage, from the Dialogues of ERASMUS, besides some masterly touches on the character of SOCRATES which must affect every mind endowed with taste and feeling, the sagacious and enlightened reader will find ample materials for reflection. Proinde mihi nihil unquam legisse videor apud Ethnicos, quod aptius quadret in hominem vere Christianum, quam quod Socrates paulo post bibiturus cicutam dixit CRITONI: An opera,inquit, nostra sit probaturus Deus, nescio; certe sedulo conati sumus, ut illi placuerimus. Est mihi tamen bona spes, quodville conatus nostros sit boni consulturus. Vinille sic diffidit factis suis, ut tamen, lobanimi propensam voluntatem obtempernowe you tale toon godt mod andi recy! 1! 21, 201