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would be treating the offence as private, or paffing over it as a matter unknown, an affair which does not affect the well-being of fociety, and which therefore requires no public manifestation of displeafurè against it. Many a notorious offender would doubtlefs wifh matters to be thus conducted, and from an averfion to public expofure, would feel ftrong objections to the formal interpofition of a third perfon. Whether this may not be another reafon of diflike to the mediation of Chrift, I fhall not decide; but of this I am fully fatisfied, that the want of a proper sense of the great evil of fin as it affects the moral government of the univerfe is a reason why its adverfaries fee no neceflity for it, nor fitness in it. They prove by all their writings that they have no delight in the moral excellency of the divine nature, no just sense of the glory of moral government, and no proper views of the pernicious and wide extended influence of fin upon the moral fyftem: Is it any wonder therefore that they should be unconcerned about the plague being stayed by a facrifice? Such views are too enlarged for their felfish and contracted minds. The only object of their care, even in their most serious moments, is to efcape punishment: for the honour of God, and the real good of creation, they difcover no concern. The amount is this: If it be indeed improper for a guilty creature to lie low before its Creator; if it be unfit that any regard fhould be paid to the honour of his character; if the offence committed against him be of fo fmall account that it is unneceffary for him to exprefs any difpleasure against it; and if it have been fo private, and infulated in its operations as in no way to affect the well-being of the moral fyftem, the doctrine of forgiveness through a medi

ator is unreasonable. But if the contrary be true; if it be proper for a guilty creature to lie in the duft before his offended Creator; if the honour of the divine character deferve the firft and higheft regard; if moral evil be the greatest of all evils, and require, even where it is forgiven, a strong expreffion of di vine displeasure against it; and if its pernicious influence be fuch that if fuffered to operate according to its native tendency, it would dethrone the Almighty, and defolate the universe, the doctrine in queftion must accord with the plaineft dictates of reafon.

The fenfe of mankind, with regard to the neceffity of a mediator, may be illuftrated by the following fimilitude. Let us fuppofe a divifion in the army of one of the wifeft and beft of kings, through the evil council of a foreign enemy, to have been difaffected to his government; and that without any provocation on his part, they traitoroufly confpired against his crown and life. The attempt failed; and the offenders were feized, difarmed, tried by the laws of their country, and condemned to die. A refpite however was granted them, during his majesty's pleasure. At this folemn period, while every part of the army, and of the empire, was expecting the fatal order for execution, the king was employed in meditating mercy. But how could mercy be fhewn? To make light of a confpiracy, faid he to his friends, would loofen the bands of good government: other divifions of the army might be tempted to follow their example; and the nation at large might be in danger of imputing it to tameness, fear, or fome unworthy motive.' Every one felt in this cafe the neceffity of a mediator, and agreed as to the general line of conduct

proper for him to purfue. 'He must not attempt' faid they, to compromise the difference by dividing the blame: That would make things worse. He must juftify the king, and condemn the outrage committed against him; he must offer, if poffible, fome honourable expedient, by means of 'which the bestowment of pardon fhall not relax, ' but strengthen just authority; he must convince

the confpirators of their crime, and introduce them in the character of fupplicants; and mercy 'must be fhewn them out of refpect to him, or for ' his fake.'

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But who could be found to mediate in fuch a caufe? This was an important queftion. A work of this kind, it was allowed on all hands, required. fingular qualifications. He must be perfectly clear of any participation in the offence,' faid one, • inclination to favour it for to pardon confpira" tors at the interceffion of one who is friendly to 'their cause, would be not only making light of the crime, but giving a fanction to it.'

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He muft' faid another, be one who on account of his character and fervices ftands high in the esteem of the king and of the public: for to mediate in fuch a caufe is to become, in a fort, ref

ponsible for the iffue. A mediator in effect pledges his honour that no evil will refult to the state ⚫ from the granting of his request. But if a mean opinion be entertained of him, no truft can be placed in him, and confequently no good impreffion would be made by his mediation on the pub'lic mind.'

< I conceive it is neceffary,' faid a third, that 'the weight of the mediation should bear a pro'portion to the magnitude of the crime, and to

the value of the favour requested; and that for this end it is proper he should be a person of great dignity. For his majefty to pardon a company of confpirators at the interceffion of one of their former comrades, or of any other obfcure character, even though he might be a worthy man, would convey a very diminutive idea of the evil of the offence.'

A fourth remarked, that he must poffefs a ten• der compassion towards the unhappy offenders, or he would not cordially intereft himself on their • behalf.'

Finally, It was fuggested by a fifth, that for the greater fitness of the proceeding, it would be proC per that fome relation or connexion should subsist between the parties. We feel the propriety,' faid he, of forgiving an offence at the interceffion of a father, or a brother; or if it be committed by ⚫ a foldier, of his commanding officer. Without fome kind of previous relation or connexion, a 'mediation would have the appearance of an arbitrary and formal procefs, and prove but little interefting to the hearts of the community.'

Such were the reasonings of the king's friends; but where to find the character in whom thefe qualifications were united, and what particular expedient could be devifed by means of which, pardon, inftead of relaxing, fhould ftrengthen just authority, were fubjects too difficult for them to refolve.

Meanwhile the king and his fon, whom he greatly loved, and whom he had appointed Generaliffimo of all his forces, had retired from the company, and were converfing about the matter which attracted the general attention.

'My fon!' faid the benevolent Sovereign, 'what

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can be done in behalf of these unhappy men? To order them for execution, violates every feeling

of my heart: Yet to pardon them is dangerous. 'The army, and even the empire would be under a ftrong temptation to think lightly of rebellion. If mercy be exercifed, it must be through a 'me'diator; and who is qualified to mediate in fuch a 'caufe? And what expedient can be devifed by ' means of which pardon fhall not relax, but ftrengthen juft authority? Speak, my son, and fay what measures can be purfued ?'

My Father!' faid the prince, I feel the infult offered to your perfon and government, and 'the injury thereby aimed at the empire at large. They have tranfgreffed without cause, and deferve · to die without mercy.

Yet I alfo feel for them.

( I have the heart of a foldier. I cannot endure to What fhall I fay? On

' witness their execution.

me be this wrong! Let me fuffer in their ftead. Inflict on me as much as is neceffary to imprefs 'the army and the nation with a juft fenfe of the 'evil, and of the importance of good order, and 'faithful allegiance. Let it be in their prefence, ' and in the presence of all assembled. When this is done, let them be permitted to implore and re'ceive your majefty's pardon in my name. If any man refuse so to implore, and fo to receive it, let him die the death!'

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My Son' replied the king,' You have expreffed my heart! The fame things have occupied my mind; but it was my defire that you 'fhould be voluntary in the undertaking. It shall 'be as you have faid. I fhall be fatisfied; juftice

itfelf will be fatisfied; and I pledge my honour • that you also fhall be fatisfied, in feeing the hap