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■"■^■'"'-'""'^•'^-riri^ 
 
Examples to convert, 
 or at leafl amend 
 in every Family^ 
 either the Father^ 
 tbe Mother^ the 
 Senior the Daugh- 
 ter. 
 
 im^^^mm^ 
 
 The Cempany ant 
 Converfe tbe P//. 
 grims met toitb ai 
 AbrahamV Houft^ 
 are Emblems of 
 what Angels enjoy 
 in tbe Regions n^ 
 jond tbi Grave*) 
 
 
 THE 
 
 Virgin in EDEN: 
 
 OR, THE " 
 
 State of Innocency: 
 
 Delivered by way of Image and Description. 
 
 PRESENTING 
 A NoblemaUy a Student^ and Heirefs^ on their Pro* 
 
 grefs from Sodotn to Canaan. 
 With the P A R A B L E of the Shepherd^ Zachariaby 
 ■ and Maryy who dwelt in thatched Tenements, fecluded 
 from Noife and Snares. Their holy I^iving and Dymg. 
 
 To which are added. 
 
 Pa M E L A*s Letters proved to be immodeil Romances painted ialmam 
 of Virtue : Mafquerades in Difguife, that received Birth noy Vice 
 reigns in Triumph, atid fwclls in' Streams even to a Deluge. 
 
 In this Treatife are the Divine Sayings of Queen Mary and Carolina m 
 publick AfTemblies and feled Companies. Taken from their own 
 Manufcripts. 
 
 The Decree of God appointi thefe Records to be kept in every 
 Houfe, in every Kingdom and State, from one Generation to ano- 
 ther, till the great Fall of Nature. 
 
 Wrote by the Author of the Sheets entltJed, Torments after Death. Thrf Copy, of 
 which fuch vaft Numberj were printed and fold, Fcur, Seren^ and urU>mc Hoafe* 
 Twenty, to fend into the Country and beyond the Seat. ' 
 
 \^* 
 
 't 
 
 The Second Edition, 
 
 LONDO 
 
 Pamphlets 
 
 Street, Goodman* S'Fieldt, 
 
 N : Printed byj. RoBEiTsin Wanoick-Lane j and tdii^fl^^^l 
 ts and News-Paper* j and at the Author'* Houfe. N**. \. in Unit AiUt' 
 ooaman*t'Fteldi. Mnrovi* ' 
 
 M Dec xvt 
 
 J 
 
 Price II. 6 J. in KaMt-Pajcr, vA xi. id, txraod in dU'i-Latlser. 
 
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 ^^■^■: A^^-^^i■w>.^1l.^;^:A^•w^■.■■i>t;^^^..-,o^ 
 
 
 LOAN STACK 
 
 ncfo ;-. ■ 
 
THE 
 
 P R E F A C E. 
 
 Y Noughts on Solitude and Silence^ that 
 Jhould at this Time recehe their Birtb^ muft 
 remain in Manufcript uncorreSied : There 
 now lies before me two Volumes^ under th§ 
 Title of Virtue Rewarded, that I cannot 
 omit taking Notice of: The Work hath oh- 
 tained a glorious Chara^er in the Eye of fome ; they re* 
 commend it to Families equal to The whole Duty of Man, 
 to in/lill Religion into the Minds of both Sexet, 
 
 Good God ! what can Youths and Virgins learn from 
 Pamela's Letter Sy more than Lejfons to tempt their Chaftity ; 
 thofe Epijlles are only Scenes of Immodejly^ painted in 
 Images ofViitue\ Difguifes in Mafquerade^ as Ifhalltrove^ 
 both from Truth and Keafon^ in the Conclufionofjms my 
 Work, 
 
 Now as the World hath feen and read with Attention 
 thofe Volumes^ I have drawn a fmall Pieccy intitled^ The 
 Virgin in Eden^ or the State of Innocency ; by this every 
 Speech and Language may vote^ which of the two Effays 
 they recommend to fuccceding Ages^ as mofl worthy and ufe" 
 ful to cultivate Virtue in the Minds of Youths Now as 
 J behold Vice reigns in Triumph ^ and fwells even to a De* 
 luge 5 / cannot, tho* I am arrived at the Period offourfcore^ 
 retire from my Study till I have delivered my Ideas of Holy 
 Living and Dyings and prefentedthem to all Ranks and 
 Degrees in this degenerate Age, Would my Reader infure 
 the Riches of the prefent Worldy and a happy Duration^ 
 paint after this Copy^ indulge ynur Thoughts with future 
 Grandeur y that lives fecret Delight y exceeding all that we 
 can embrace in ASts of Sin, 
 
 The Time allotted irt thefe vifible Shades are momentary^ 
 
 Years flee awayy Ages leave no other Tracs behind them 
 
 747 A but 
 
 ■ I . Ml I. ii i iipp ffpppsBwppr 
 
a The P R E.F ACE. 
 
 but as if were Shadows or. Stories tranfmttted to us in 
 Jiiflory^ which oftentimes adds Deformity y rather than: 
 Beauty to the Memory. Here we make our C-ourt to Vanity^ 
 and Fancy what we fee at a Diflana to he amiable \ but 
 fo foon as we embrace them^ all is Emptinefs and of r» 
 worthy and y^t this will not convince us of our Error i our 
 jfmbitions are big enough tografp the JVorld in our Thoughts ; 
 but what is the Refult f* many painful Jleps taken in vain ^ 
 they that pry into unrevealed Points^ never come to any Cer" 
 tainty more than imperfeSf Ideas, 
 
 He that inquires into the Knowledge of the regular M^ 
 tionsofthe heavenly Bodies^ how they move and operate ^ «V 
 only in Purfuit of MyflerieSy that will never be perfeSlJy 
 revealed till we fire jftript of Mortality^ and changed int§ 
 Spiritual Bodies, 
 
 Manls principal End fhould be to acquaint himf elf with 
 facred Record^ and not let his Alind wander beyond the Li^ 
 mits ofReafon ; IVill not a Time come^ when we fhall knoWy 
 what is Truthy and what is not ? 
 
 IVife Men may be convinced of this, if they look back t9' 
 that which is tranfmitted to us from pafl Centuries \ what 
 is there more in them than empty AmufementSy that leaves us^ 
 as much in the dark as before we read their Ejfays ? How^ 
 frequent is it for Authors to value themfelves for their Parts 
 and Learning ? do they not often conclude they have amajfed 
 an inexhaujiible Stock ofjyiJdLmy that will immortalize their 
 Names; and when their If^orks come forth, there is fear ce 
 any TI)ing to be found in them, but Sheets crowded with un^ 
 known Myjleries F Thus every Age confutes old Errors, and 
 
 begets new ones, and fo it will be fo long as we run upon t09 
 
 As for 
 more fecret Delight, fliould this, and my former Jf^orks, be 
 
 nice Speculations, As for my Part, my Mind will receive 
 
 read and praSiifed, than if my Sovereign Prince fhould en- 
 circle me with Riches, and his highejl Fhvours j they die a?td 
 perijh with me ; but my JVritings will do me Honour in the 
 Sight of Men and Angels, when I am gone to Silence^ and' 
 returned to my original Duft, 
 
titliirfiti til' i-niiiiBiiiii-ii 
 
 THE 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 jf^^^^^c^^^ May truly ask the Queftion, What 
 ^^l-PTT^fe t have all the antient and modern 
 
 mm 
 
 2iLJi^ 
 
 1^^ learned Authors been amufing 
 ^j:;;p themfelvcs about, fb as never to 
 [^■■'tp ^^^^^ '^^ Youths and Virgins 
 ^ii^ Journey from this World, to 
 ^^^^^u^^:<i£M3 that which is to come ? What 
 couJd have been more entertaining to the Publicfc 
 than fuch a Subjeft well compiled ? Experience tells 
 r us this by the Pilgrim^ s Progrefs^ wrote by J o h w 
 B u N Y A N, a poor Mechanick, to his Honour be 
 it fpoke ; had his Stile and Language anfwered 
 the Thread of his Ideas, that Work might have 
 been as much efleemed and valued by the Ingenious^ 
 I as, it ever was by the Mean and Illiterate 
 
 Here I prefent Emblems of both Sexes, and of 
 different Ages, going from Sodom to the Ne^j9 
 yerufakm \ to the utmoft of my Genius I have pre*, 
 icribed Rules to prevail with the mod profane Part 
 of Mankind to become Proiely tes ; no weary Pilgri-' 
 mages are here affigned, nor is it required to drefi 
 in the Habits of Hermits, Nuns, or begging 
 Fryars ; no Pennances are laid to abftain from 
 Meats, nor to fcourge our Bodies with wire Whipsi 
 Man is not obliged to dwell in a Cell, or a Cave, 
 or abfent himfelf fronvihoffenfive ConveHation; the 
 Load of Sin is here taken off at the very Inftant 
 • the Chriftian fets out for the Kingdom of Glory, 
 
 A2 
 
 Religion 
 
 -"SPfl 
 
 [ ■ i^UlxWJff ll W WWiWWW JlPM ' j i ji i i i i, » ii. i w pi 
 
•^"-"^•-'-'••- VrfTl ii i m '- Tfl i alf lil 
 
 iv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Religion is a Plcafurc not Pam. A Chrif^ 
 tian's Life, be he Rich or Poor, is all Joy and 
 Peace. 
 
 The Scenes that I have drawn may prevail 
 with Jtws, ^urksy and Pagans^ to go with the 
 Student and the Virgin into the Wildemels, wherQ 
 the Son of God fafted forty Days and forty 
 Nights. 
 
 T am for writing Subjecfls to convey even the 
 Thoughts of Atheifts and Deifts beyond fenfuaj 
 Pleafures, and to confirm them m the Faith of the 
 Church Militant. 
 
 . Here are Reprefentations of flowery Gardens 
 and Solitary Groves, as Places proper to converfc 
 with humble Men, Divine Antiquaries ; and even 
 with Animals and Infe(5ls, there is to be fcen the 
 Face of God ; in thofe Schools curious Leflbns are 
 to be learnt; Aiam and Eve zxt here decypher'd 
 in their original Innocency before their Fall and 
 naked State. I call Time back, and begin with 
 the Days of Mofes^ Aaron^ the Prophets^ the ApO^ 
 files and Evangelifls. Thefe Difcourles are leveli'd 
 to carry the Reader's Mind to the very Borders 
 * of Eg^t^ where Jj)t pitch'd- his Tents within Sight 
 of Sodom: Here are Converts on their Way to 
 jibraham^s Houfe in the Land of Canaan^ to end 
 their Days in Peace and Retirement; Here are 
 introduced an induftrious Farmer, a poor Shep- 
 herd, and the Governefs of a School pafling 
 through thele Earthly Vales to the defired Harbour 
 of Reft. 
 
 In my two Volumes, publiflied near forty Years 
 ago, intitled, The Vi/ions of Sir Heifter Rcily, and 
 the Meditations of a Divine Sculy I let fprtjj, tbp 
 political Conduft pf Anipials ?ind Infcfis; ''with 
 
 
f limiMiiii 
 
 INTRODUCTION. V, 
 
 ' die Rich and P(5or Man's Pleafures in a Life fy 
 eluded from .Noife and Hurry; out of thole my 
 Works I take fome Ideas to entertain, not to dull 
 the Fancy, even of wandring Minds. 
 
 I think I cannot wind up my Time, and bicT 
 the World farewel in a more Chriftian Way, thaa 
 by leaving this work as my laft Legacy to fucceed- 
 ing Ages, the Ideas I have formed of Virtues 
 and Examples. Cannot the great God, by (iich 
 a Piece, convert, or at lead amend in every Fa- 
 itiily, either the Father, the Mother, the Son, or - 
 the Daughter, even from the tender Age of Ten 
 Years, to the Period of Ninety ; a Race fcarce one 
 in a Thoufand ever runs beyond it, and of that 
 Time great Part is generally attended either with 
 Want, Pain, Sicknefs, peevifh Paffions,' or wild 
 ^nd delpairing Thoughts of Providence. 
 
 Had it not been to avoid vain Complements 
 and down-right Flattery, which mofl Authors be- 
 gin their EflTays with, next to their Title Pages^ 
 I fhould have dedicated thele Sheets to the Duke 
 and the young Princefles, the King's IfTue, and to 
 the Defendants of his Royal Highnels the Prince 
 and Princeis of PFiales, 
 
 But all I (hall do is to pray, that each of thofe 
 Royal Branches would paint after the Student and 
 the Virgin, thofe young Converts in their Progrefi 
 from Tinae to Eternity ; fo that at the Period of 
 their feveral Days, their Brows may be then in- 
 circled with bright Piadems, and their Hands fway 
 Golden Scepters, more glorious than all their Pre- 
 deceflbrs, in Token that their Reigns on Earth 
 exceeded them in Righteoufiieis, Juftice and Equity, 
 
 I may fay never any Subjed in my Station ever 
 4id greater Service to the Hanover Succeflion, nor 
 ^ncreafed the Revenues of their Crown more than 
 I have done, and at the Jlj^pencc, not only of my 
 
 Thoughti 
 
vi INTRODUCT I O NI 
 
 Thoughts and Writings, but rfly Fortune an J 
 even the Hazard of my Life. I am forry. to iky 
 all Proruifes and Gratuity expired as ibon as I had 
 performed their Work. Read my Sheets, intitled, 
 Hfe Englifh Meniorial^ that I prefented to the King 
 and Parliament in the Year one dioufand feven 
 hundred and thirty feven ; there you will find and 
 fee my Wrongs and Sufferings : It is there proved 
 beyond I>;nial, that the Government have received 
 from my Undertakings only, above one Million of 
 Money Sterling, and alfo eiKreafed the Income of 
 the General Poft-Of5ce, near thirty thoufand Pound 
 every Year : this their Gain laid me in Ruins, till 
 Divine Providence fent me, from an unforefeea 
 Quarter, a plentiful Fortune, to enable me to lend 
 to the Poor, and bear the Charges to my Sc-^ 
 pulchre, the Habitation of the Dead. 
 
 
 / 
 
 
 
 'V>.^ 
 
 
THE 
 
 Virgin in ED'EN; 
 
 O R, T H E 
 
 State of Innocency/ 
 
 DELIVERED 
 
 By way of Image and Description^ 
 
 S I was upon my Travels, through an 
 ■|J Ifland of Plenty, I loft myfelf in a De- 
 fart, and wandering about in Diftrcfe, 
 I faw at a diftance two Men going bc 
 ^j fore me; L called to them; they waited 
 my coming up ; I aiked them froni 
 whence they came, and which way 
 going; they anfwered, from Sodom to jfhrahatrCs Houfe, 
 in the Land of Canaan^ and that if I would go with 
 them they fliould be glad of my Company j \ accepted 
 iht Offer, and joined in their Convcrfation. ' 
 
 Upon difcourfmg a little " together, I found one to 
 be a Student, the other his Guide; at the further End 
 ©f the Defart there was a Houfc for the Entertain- 
 ment of Strangers, we Inn'd there that Night, and m 
 the Morning early went to a Town, where there wa« 
 an Abby, an Ancient Pile of Building; our Curiofity 
 led us to fee the Antiquities of that venerable Place. 
 
 As we walked amidft the Monuments of the Deai, 
 thfire came up to us a young Man, who feemcd to 
 
 hate 
 
 
 '^*.-^ 
 
_____ ■ - t s J— ^ ^ 
 
 luve /bmcthing extravagant in his Countenance ^ hir 
 afketf the Guide whether he could tell him which was 
 the Sepulchre of a certain Monarch, (naming him) the 
 Guide pointed to the Tomb ; he went up to it, and 
 after he read the Infcription, we faw his Countenance 
 change with a kind of Concern, and he fuddenly broke 
 out into thefe pathetical Expreffions, which we won- 
 dered at, confidering what we took the Man to be. 
 
 Is this, faid he, become the Habitation of a King, 
 whom 1 once faw fitting upon an Imperial Throned 
 Are thefe the Boundaries of his Dominions ? Oh, afto- 
 nifliing Confinement ! For a Prince of his vaft Ge- 
 nius to J lie hid in this dark Cavern, the Habitation 
 of Worms and Corruption. 
 
 Upon this he fat down, and for a while remained 
 filentj at laft he faid^ notwithftanding my gay Hu- 
 mour, I am, when I look into thefe narrow rrifons 
 fo full of Thoughts, that they flow like a rapid Stream, 
 and run even beyond Time into Eternity j which, me- 
 thinks, gives me an Opportunity to converfe, for a 
 Seafon, with unbodied Spirits, and take a Profpeil of 
 the hidden Things of another State: But when thefe 
 fudden Flafhcs of Contemplation ceafe, and I return 
 from wandering amidft thefe unknown Regions of Light 
 (where refined Beings dwell) and re-enter my drefled- 
 up Sepulchre (I mean this my Body) I am funk low, 
 and behold with Shame the Depravity of my vain Na- 
 ture, which difcovers itfelf in every Scene of Life. 
 
 Now, continues he, I apprehend what the original 
 of grofs Matter is, and what my feparated Particles muft 
 be when they come to lie level with the Duft of this 
 great Monarch : I confider the Bones, that are con- 
 cealed in this dark Cell, as the Relicks of a fine Build- 
 ing, mingled together with a Multitude of Afhes of a 
 courfer Soil; neither can I tell how to feparate 
 the one from the other: But fure I am, that one Day 
 the Rubbifh will be parted, and the more noble Mould 
 recover its original Form and Greatne(s. 
 
 The Gentleman would ftill have continued hb {a~ 
 lemn Difcourfe, had not the Student conducted him to 
 a Grave in the Abby Yard, and confuted his Error, 
 by telling him, that it was not the being a Prince 
 that made the Aflies ever the finer, but that it was 
 the Perfection and Purity of the Mind that would beau- ^ 
 tify the Stru£lure of Man at the Refurre<5lion : For, 
 iaiys the Student, here lies Interred a poor Peafant, who 
 
 daii/ 
 
t 9 1 
 
 daily laboured in the Fields ; and had that greatneis of 
 Soul in him, that fhew'd the Capacity and Ability 
 of a moft elevated Mind : But wanting acquired Helps^ 
 the brightnefs of his Perfections could not dart forth 
 with that Luftre as other wife it would have done ; 
 neverthelefs his A(hes lay as honourable Fragments, ready 
 for a Call, to be raifed a ftately Pile^ when Emperors 
 and Kings will appear defpicable* By this Time the 
 Abby Bells chim'd in to Prayers, and Company inter- 
 rupted our fublime Conferences. 
 
 The Student afk'd the Guide who this Pcrfbn was; 
 Ke faid a Nobleman, his Name is Felix i upon this 
 the Student entered into Cohverfation with hirti, and 
 told Feiix what Country he was going to, and to what 
 Houfe and Family. I am informed, that the Company 
 and Converfation I fhall meet with there, are Emblems 
 of what immaterial Spirits enjoy in the Light Regions 
 .beyond the Grave, 
 
 This Speech put Felix into an Extafy ; fays he, I 
 am not almoft, but now altogether a Convert ; and if it be 
 as you fay, I will leave my Pofleffions and go along 
 with you. Then the Student and Felix went on to- 
 
 f ether, and had feveral Conferences, by the Way, oil 
 ubje£b Divine and Moral. T, 
 In their Progrefs they pafTed through a Grove, in the 
 Center of which there was a- Cell, and joining to it 
 a Grotto, which the Guide faid, was frequented by 
 Virgins on their Way to Mount Sion; where they 
 Contemplate as they pais along: Andjuftas the Guide was 
 ipeaking, they obferved at a diftance a young beautiful Wo- 
 man coming up ; on which the Student and Felix concealed 
 themfelves in the Cell, to obferve how fhe behaved. As foon 
 as fheentred the Grotto fhe fhut the Door, and went toiler 
 Devotion. Now, fays (he, I am in fecret, where no 
 Eye fees but that of Heaven; here I can meditate a- 
 lone, and Converfe with my Crucified Jefus. I fancy 
 that I now fee him in the Wildcmefs, Fafting forty^ 
 Days and forty Nights, to teach Man the Duty of 
 Mortification, and Adts of Humility: Here, on this , 
 my Journey from Sodom to the New Jerufalem I can 
 quench my Thirfl at the Springs, which arife at 
 the defcent of every Hill, and be fed by the Ravens of • 
 the'i Air, that imitate my Thoughts in their foaring 
 up *Xfi. thofe Regions which are beyond, and out of 
 Sight ^of this jnfignificant Globe of Earth. 
 
 TV B Here 
 
 ,mp.m i n,m]pmi< ii wi-M ' >. ' ,"-. "i i »w'ii.' i . .. " ^ M imi^'mimimmW^^ 
 
.^^-l.:^.,.,.;.^,^..^-.,v... . u-^y,-. 
 
 [ «> 3 
 
 Here I may few green Leaves together, and maka' 
 me a Garment for more ornamental, to the Eye of a 
 meek Chriftian, than all the lively Colours of an /»- 
 /iian Robe: Here I can fpend the delightful Spring of 
 every Year in viewing the Works of my Creator, and 
 beholding the tender Buds, as they {hoot forth, with an 
 imperceptible Motion, into fpreading Leaves and bloom- 
 mg BlofToms : Here I can fit under the Branches of 
 fhady Trees, and behold how artificially the Chirping 
 Birds build their Nefts to the beft Advantage, and ob- 
 serve with what Care and Tenderncfs they provide for 
 their Offspring. 
 
 O, inchanting Solitude! I may, in this my Progrefs, 
 lay myfelf down to Reft at Night, and in the Dawn 
 of the Morn walk forth and fee how early the deli- 
 cate Larks arife, refrefliing themfelves in the Morn* 
 ing Air, and chanting out their pretty Notes, before 
 the glorious Rays of the Sun are difplayed on the ver- 
 dant Meadows: So that by that Time their melodious 
 Matins are over, all the reft of the winged Choir will 
 have trim'd their Feathers with their pecking Bills, 
 and join their imited Voices in whiftling fuch various 
 Hymns of Praife to their daily Benefactor, as may 
 fufficiently roufc drowfy Man out of the dreadful Le- 
 thargy of Vice, and make him ftand abafh'd to fee a 
 flight of Animals, only guided by inftin£t of Nature, war- 
 bling forth their Morning Songs to the Great yeho-* 
 vahy before they, who bear the Image of the Deity, 
 have made their Requeft known to Jejus^ or blefled 
 his Name for the Mercies of a paft Night. O bleffed 
 Harmony I to hear the pretty Chirping Sounds of fuch 
 Multitudes of Airy Inhabitants, that meet in Affemblies 
 on the Tops of the Trees, to pay their Daily Tribute, 
 and (hew vain Man his Duty. 
 
 As foon as (he had ended thefe her Divine Eja- 
 culations, (he came out of the Grotto and walked into the 
 Grove, lifting up her Eyes and Hands in Raptures of Joy* 
 The Guide informed Us, that this was an Heirefs, aVirgia 
 who had made her Retreat from Sodom to live in Canaan. 
 
 Then the Student and Felix came out of the Cell, and 
 -went up to her, and told her who they were, and 
 the Place they vyras going to^ what, fays (he, to AbrahanCt 
 Houfe? Thither I am Travelling: It is theway to5/<?«, 
 let us keep together, and never part, 'till Death. Wc'H 
 difcourfe on the Records of facred Writ, and talk of the 
 firft Ages of the World : how Mea lived and a£led in 
 
 thofo 
 
[ " ] 
 
 thofc ancient.Times : Such Conferences as thcfc wiH maka 
 our Hearts glow within us, and raife our Spirits above the 
 Sphere of wandering Vanities. 
 
 Then the Student, />//>, and the Virgin, went on 'till 
 they came to a Wildernefs, a Place that appeared at a 
 diftance green and ihady, but when they entered, it re(em-» 
 bled the Habitation of wild Animab, or an obfcure folitaiy 
 Grove, fuch as Poets refort to, and where Spirits meet 
 and Converfe with thofe they were acquainted with when 
 drefled in the Body of Corruption. 
 
 On the Skirts of this Wildernefs, upon an Eminence 
 that overlooked the adjacent Country, we (aw a Man of a 
 venerable Afpeft, fitting at the Door of a Cave, with a 
 Book and Pencil in his Hand. We went up to him, and 
 obferved him to take Notice of the Movements of every 
 little Infect that pafTed by, and often viewed one of them 
 upon his Table, thro* a Microfcope ; then he wouM minute 
 fdown the Remarks he made upon their Shapes and Pro- 
 portions. 
 
 Our Converts were mightily taken with the Penfiveheft 
 they faw in his Countenance, as well as with his many cu- 
 rious Fancies j biit, to colour their Dcfigns, they feigned 
 to him, as tho* they thought his Employment altogether 
 difagreeable to his Age, on purpofc to hearHvhat Anfwer 
 he would make. 
 
 The Student afked him why he fpent his Time after 
 fuch a carclefs Manner, out of the way of all Converfation, 
 and remote from the Schools of Inftru<flion? He anfwered, 
 he chofe this Retirement to avoid thofe Particulars he re- 
 commended ; for that thofe Places of Education are often 
 perverted to bad Purpofes, and Human Societies are gene- 
 rally fo ill regulated, that I fhall learn to fubmit Right to 
 Force; the Strong does not fcruple to take the Weak Perfon's 
 Portion from him : That there is nothing more common than 
 to fee Men, in thp Face of Juflice, contend for that which 
 is not properly their own ; and many times the Strife ends 
 not before the utter Ruin of the Injur'd. . 
 
 Do not they, fays he, who teach the Symbols of Mercy 
 very often put off all Bowels of Tendernefs ? What can 
 be more furious than the Malice of Religious Contefb f 
 Their Heat is generally lengthened out into perpetual En- 
 mity! Sliall I not learn the moft unnatural Barbarity in 
 the Schools where you'd fend me ? If I go Abroad, into the 
 World, (hall I not fee all forts of Wickednefs pradiied 
 there? In all probabilitv I might there learn how to ieiae 
 9n every Thing that lay within my reach, in order to 
 
 B ft ftorc 
 
[ " 3 
 
 liorc up Trcafurcs like the Mifer. Thus he entertained 
 the Converts with variety of thefe odd Hints, which were 
 altogether inflructive to them ; whether it was in Com* 
 plaifance that he thought they were of his Opinion, and 
 look*d upon thofe Men to be unfortunate who had their Re** 
 fidence in the Circles of Vanity, for which there can be no 
 Word that fignifies a verier Nothing. The old Gentleman 
 advanced feveral Paradoxes that required a vaft Capacity 
 to reach ; there feemed to be in him fomething above com«^ 
 mon Art in his Arguments. 
 
 I defie, fays he, any Man to have fo many Opportunities 
 of improving his Genius, as I have in this ftill Retire- 
 ment ; for my Bufinefs is to Converfe daily, at the Door 
 of my Cave, or within a few Rods of it, with the greateft 
 Artifts and Wits of the Age, who have a Noblenefs in 
 them, that in many Refpe£b, out fhines-Man, and makes 
 him look like a fallen Star clouded with Smoke. 
 
 He faid, if Iimocency, Induftry, and a competent Stock 
 of Knowledge ought to be accounted Virtues, none had a 
 jufter Claim to them than the Company he kept ; for that 
 tho' many of them do but appear as the mofl inconfiderable 
 of all Beings; fuch as are often iheltered in the Mifts of the 
 Air, hid in Sheets of Water, or buried under Clods of 
 Earth, yet tftir different A£lion3 and furprizing Inftin^, 
 are, perhaps, one of the profoundeft Subjedls on which 
 our Reafon can be exercifcd; and, fays he, I am furprized 
 that fo few People perceive it. 
 
 For, continues he, the feveral beautiful Pcrfe£iions, I 
 behold in them, lead me into a Thoufand fine and uncom- 
 mon Notions; they give me an Idea of the very niceneis 
 of the Inltrument that worked every particular Part of 
 their Veins and Arteries, which are fo curioufly joined and 
 put together. 
 
 Then he flopt, and with a fort of unufual Hafte fetched 
 out of his Cave a large Fly ; this Infeft, fays he, hasfevc- 
 ral Miracles to be feen in it, if all its juft Meafures were 
 narrowly inquired into ; befides the Senfe that I find to be 
 infufed into it ; for the Creature lives and guides itfelf in a 
 regular and fteady Courfe, and knows when he rifes in a 
 fair or an intollerable Morning, and how to go to the Pof t 
 tion provided for its Nourifhment. 
 
 The Converts thought he would now have ended fpeak^* 
 ing about thefe minute Creatures, but he went on, and 
 carried the Point ftill further, upon the Policy and Cun* 
 fling of a much leiFer Being than that Infe^ which be had 
 '^ l^is Jf an4^ 
 
 F9I 
 
[ »3 ] 
 
 For (ceing an Ant creep ^ong, he took it up ; I challenge, 
 fays he, any of thofe Perfons, who value themfelves upoa 
 their A£livity, to go through near fo much Budnefs, or pro- 
 duce half the Adventures, with lefs Miftakc, than this In- 
 feft has been engaged in, and will pafs through before 
 Michaelmas^ the time of her marching into Winter 
 Quarters. By the Notice I have taken, continued he, of 
 thefe Creatures, I am convinced that they are a fubtle Ge- 
 neration ; they feem to have a kind of Government among 
 them ; and, 1 do aflure you, their Obfervation of Juftice and 
 Charity is fo ftridt, that it far exceeds the Management 
 and Honefty of moft Men. • 
 
 I have frequently, added he, fat down by their HiUs, 
 when they were crowding Home in an Evening, and fcen, 
 that when an aged Ant has deprived a young one of what 
 (he had been labouring for with much Induftry, others have 
 come in and reflored all that was taken from her, and in* 
 Aided a deferved Punifhment upon the Offender, 
 
 Before he pafTed off from this Hiftory, he gave the Con* 
 verts a Relation of the many Fatigues and Labours, he 
 had obferved, they went thro* to maintain themfelves, with 
 the manner of their getting, and hoarding up their Stores: 
 he told them^ they were fo knowing, that they feemed to 
 Converfe together at their publick Meetiri^, and under- 
 ftood accidental Things concerning themfdves ; for tho* 
 their Language be fomewhat broken and unintelligible^ 
 yet they apprehend one another by particular Signs. 
 
 Then he brought an Example, that they never loofe their 
 Way when they are out upon their Progrefs. I have, (ays 
 he, often made it my Bufinefs to watch one of thofe Crea- 
 tures out of her Cell in the Morning, and follow her all 
 Day thro' many intricate Mazes, and k^n her run up and 
 ^wn feveral Trees; yet, a little before Night, (he has gone 
 diredly to her own Apartment, {looping under a heavy 
 Burden, without ever miffing her Path, or turning afide. 
 
 The Converts feemed extreamly delighted with his quick 
 Turns of Humour, for he continued to go on at this agree«» 
 able Rate, very naturally, upon the Ants. Then he turned • 
 his Difcourfe, and fpoke of other Species, which, he faid, 
 had likewife very fine Notions and fome excellent Laws 
 pradlifed amongil them. Thus he diverted us upon thefe nice 
 Heads, and brought in many Infbnces of the changeable 
 Turns thofe Beings frequently meet with, very much re- 
 fembling the crols Accidents of Men, 
 
 For, fays he, after they have &iled through many vio- 
 ]k;>.t Storms^ and formed thpir Nptes froix^ t^ lead Breath 
 
 . of 
 
C u I 
 
 of Wind, juft as they find themfelvte deckej with bcautl* 
 ful Ornaments, fit for the entertainment of a few imperti«» 
 ncnt Joys, it is common for them, in the midft of theif 
 Jollity and wilder Feafts, to be taken Captive, and thrown 
 into fuch a ftrait Confinement as not to know whether 
 their Imprifonment will end in Death, or a triumphant 
 Efcapc. Others, as they were making glad, and the Sun 
 Ihining hot upon them, under the fmage of a Rainbow, 
 diverfifyed with Colours, have immediately funk down by 
 the Weight of a Cloud, or have been caft into Darknefs. 
 He had many of thofe Copies by him of the good and bad 
 Chances that often happen to irrational Beings, and ho 
 carried the Subje£^ fo far, as if he was capable of fpanning 
 all the cafual Events that ever befel any of them. 
 
 Upon his readily being fupplied with new Matter, as he 
 always was, he returned, in the heat of his Difcourie, to 
 his former Refle6^ions upon human Society, and the many 
 Improvements there may be made in examining the exa^ 
 Occonomy obfervable in Animals and Infei^. 
 
 If a Man, fays he, is proud of his Knowledge, of his 
 Skill in curious Speculations ; Serpents and Eagles, who' 
 are but the Dream of a Shadow, and when they die 
 are foon annihilated, know more of it than he ; for 
 they have mahy Antidotes againft Poifon and Difeafes, 
 and are acquainted with the Virtue of fomc Stones for 
 the Cure of their little Qnes, which Phyficians value 
 fo much, that when they find fome of them, they 
 think themfelves poflefled of a Ma(s of Treafure. 
 
 Here he made a Stand, and argued very naturally upon 
 the ill-placed Humours of Men, rcprefenting a forma] 
 Prok)gue to their Vanity ; he (aid, if any one pretended 
 that Man was the only Being capable of receiving Reafon, 
 there was fome other Creatures, who had glorious Ideas 
 of Sorrow, Joy, and accidental Paflions, and who where 
 immediately, upon any fudden Surprize, tranfported from 
 Pleafure to Pain ; for fome of them are mightily con- 
 cerned at the Lois of any Creature, which they have been 
 long acquainted with; or when they fee their OfFsprinff 
 taken away. At fuch Times, faid he, I have obferved 
 them look wiflifully into the Places where their beloved 
 had lain, and either lie down there, or fetch about it 
 many Windings backwards and forwards, with fuch an 
 Appearance of Cpncem, as if they would (where it poiE- 
 blc) have fainted, or (bed Tears at the fad Mifchance. 
 
 As the Converts thought the old Gentleman was finiih« 
 ing the lafl Scene, he drew another, and (aid, there are 
 
[ 15 3 
 
 fome irrational Animals, who very well underfland tan* 
 guages ; for I have obferved, that after they have told tbcit 
 Bufmefs to each other, they have gone to fuch a Place^ 
 and done there fuch a Thing, and what Work they bad 
 begun they a£tually performed. 
 
 He was going on to fhew us, how artificially fome of 
 them built their Houfes, and thatch'd them over Head to 
 keep pfF the Violence of the Weather, when a Flight o£ 
 Birds flew juft by him: I deny, fays hCj that any Aftro-» 
 loger knows fo much of Divination as thefe Animals i 
 He is a Fool to them in many Refpe6ls : They arc his 
 Matters, and teach him fome of their Arts by particular 
 Signs. 
 
 He then (hewed us a tame Bird he kept by him,' whidi 
 had fo much Knowledge as to kill Serpents and other 
 Vermine which attempted to enter his Cave ; and after- 
 wards brought them to the Sight of feveral other Creatures^' 
 that he always kept by him, which, he faid, told him» 
 by their Natural Voices, as he lay in his Cave, the firft^ 
 fecond, third, and fourth Watch of the Night. 
 
 From thence he led the Converts to a River, where they 
 faw feveral young Swans funing thcmfelves upon the Shore* 
 About an Hour ago, fays he, thele Creatures were roling upon 
 the Water, ballafted with Sand in the folds of their Wings, 
 and landed by the help of their common Mother, where 
 they now wait for 'her return, and though they arc but a 
 few Weeks old, have fo much Senfe as not to go with any 
 other of the Kind. 
 
 Afterwards ftooping down by the Bank of the River, he 
 took up a large Minnow, that he faw fwimming amidfl the 
 Weeds, and perceiving it to be very old, made a long Def^i 
 cant on the fuccelsful Voyages, which that fmall Fim had 
 undertaken in its time, while many blooming Fortunes had 
 whithered by Wrecks or Deluges. He fpoke much of its 
 Travels and Adventures. This Creature, (ays he, has Ca 
 much Subtlety, as to know how to make its efcapc and 
 hide itfelf out of danger, if it fees too powerful an Enemy 
 coming againfl it : And then he flung the Fifb again inta 
 its natural Element. 
 
 Having ended thefe changeable Difcourfes, be led us 
 back to his Cave, where he took up a Covering pf Clay, 
 and fhewed us engraven on Leaves' of Brafs, the fcvend 
 Arts and Sciences that the irrational Beings teach. The 
 Student, for his Information, perufed fome Part of thofe 
 Ihort Lefl'ons, and faw that the Dove laid down the ex- 
 cellent Rules of Innocencyi The Bees Induftry; The 
 
 Spiders 
 
[ .6 ] 
 
 Spiders, the Art of fplnning fine Threads; and the Liofis^ 
 Noblcnefs of Spirit. 
 
 After reading over thefe and feveral other Laws that the 
 different Species of Animals obferved, and which might 
 very well ferve for the Inftru6tion of the politeft Nations ; 
 The venerable Gentleman faid, he had ftill remaining to 
 tell them a far more curious Relation than any he had 
 hitherto produced, touching the Knowledge and Chaflity 
 of the Beings he had been difcourfing about. 
 
 The Elephant, fays he, is the worthieft and moll fen- 
 fible Creature of them all : He never changes his Female ; 
 he loves her tenderly, whom he has chofen ; with whom 
 neverthelefs he does not cohabit but every third Year, 
 and that only five Days, and fo privately, that he is never 
 feen in that A(ft : But on the fixth Day he appears ; when 
 before all Things he goes dire£lly to fome River, wherein 
 he wafhes his whole Body, without returning any more 
 to the Herd before he is purified. 
 
 Upon hearing all thefe Inftance?, the Student told him, 
 at their parting, that at this Rate there were Philofophers^ 
 and Virtuofos, even among the Animals he had mentioned ; 
 who fearched into many Curiofities, and made nice Obfer- 
 vations of Things, infomuch that he thought their Schools 
 of Morality were the only Places to make Men fee their 
 Diforders, by comparing their own irregular Conduft 
 with the Decency and Order obferved by thofe Animals. 
 
 At the End of thefe Speculations, Feiixy the Student, 
 and the Virgin, told the Hermit, that his curious Obfer- 
 vations would dwell upon their Minds to the lafl Period of 
 Life ; for that he had inflrufted them in the Laws and 
 Precepts of Animals and Infe£ts; Examples worthy the 
 Notice of the moft learned and finefl Genius of all human 
 and rational Beings. 
 
 Here they parted, in full Confidence that a Time would 
 come, when they (hould meet again in a more refined 
 Region, to re£tify all Error and Miflake that they here 
 have fellen into in their Enquiries relating either to ratio- 
 nal or irrational Beings. 
 
 From hence />/;>, the Student, and the Virgin, went 
 o;i their Journey, and in the Road ftopt at a Houfe, where 
 they were asked, as being Strangers, to come in and rcfl 
 themfelves in the Heat of the Day : As they fat looking 
 out of the Window they obferved coming up a Perfon of a 
 grave Afpe£l, but withal he had fomething fo fublime and 
 elevated in his Countenance, as plainly befpoke him a 
 Perfon of a more than ordinary Genius. His Eye was 
 
 quick 
 
t t7 ] . ; • 
 
 tjuick and pJercing, which denoted a h'vely . and brisk ImaA 
 gination ; wlien at the fame time his Afpe«Si was fo fe* 
 date, and his Deportment fo majcftick, as plainly denoted ' 
 him a Man of a ftrong and folid Judgment. 
 
 Upon the Appearance of fo extraordinary a PerfonagC^ • 
 the Student feemed tranfportcd, and immediately rifing up . 
 ran out to meet him ; and after the ordinary Salutation^ 
 defircd him to walk in and refrefh himfelf, which the otheif 
 readily accepted of, as the Day began to grow extremely 
 hot. As foon as he. had feated himfeJf, he began to enquire 
 who we were, how fuch a mixt Company came together, 
 and wlicre \^e were going ? We anfwered his Queries, and 
 dcfired his Directions. He feemed mightily pleafed with 
 our Journey, and aflurcd us wc had made the only Choice 
 in this World that could be of any Service to us hereafter; 
 For that the Plairfs of Sodcffty where all worldly-minded 
 Men take their Abode, are fo full of Snares and Vexation, 
 that no one can find any folid Satisfee^ion there j whereas 
 the Place you are going to, fays he, is always quiet and. . 
 fecurc. The Country may not appear perhaps at firft 
 Sight (o feir and pleafant, and inviting ; but then you -will 
 find this more than fufficiently fupplied by the Eafe, Com« 
 fort, and Satisfaction, you will perpetually enjoy. Indeed, 
 continues he, the Country of Sodom is extremely fertile^ 
 and very full of rich Inhabitants ; but then it is fo fubje*^ 
 to Storms and Earthquakes, and Eruptions of fulphureous 
 Matter, that I am furprized any rational Creature (hould 
 make his Abode there. On the contrary, in the Land of 
 Canaan the Air is always calm and ferene, and thelnha-* 
 bitants are very feldom known to fufFer any confiderable 
 Misfortunes. Thcfe are the Advantages you will there en- . 
 ' joy with RefpeCl to this World only : But when I tell you, 
 that the Gate of Paradife is in this Country, and that 
 none but the Inhabitants of this Land of Promife can dc- 
 fcend into the Regions of the Elcfled Place, you myft 
 think this, beyond all Conaparifon, preferable to the othert 
 He then proceeded, ^ the Subject naturally led him to dif* 
 courfe, of a future State, and the Condition in which de- 
 parted Souls are placed, till they come to Judgment at the - 
 great Day. I have fnade, fays he, Obfervations oh thd 
 Accounts given by Men of great Genius, who had only 
 the Light of Nature, and the Helps of Human Learning 
 to guide them ; and they defcrlbe the Soul, as defcending 
 into the State of the Dead, with a Tranfccipt of what 
 they muft do as foon as tlicy ccme into thole Regions, 
 
: t 18 1\ 
 
 where they mufl continue till the final Diflblution of thefc 
 vifible Beings. 
 
 He faid feme were of Opinion, that upon the Confines 
 of the Dead, and in View of the other World, they de- 
 fcribed feveral Inhabitants, whofe Natures are wonderfully 
 fuited to the Situation of the Place; for Emblems of 
 Death, fay they, may be fuppofed to be of feveral Kinds 
 and Divernties. 
 
 The firft Kind arc the Shadows of old Age, Sickfiefe, 
 Fear, Famine, and Poverty : Apparitions terrible to be- 
 hold to human Nature. They prefent Death alfo as the 
 Rcfemblance of Toil, War, Contention, and Difcord : 
 All of which contribute to People this common Receptacle 
 of human Spirits. • 
 
 The Student reply'd, thefe Notions and Defcriptlons of 
 the Habitations of the Deccafcd are to be underflood of 
 their Abode, before the incorruptible Body be raifed and 
 re-united totheSouL 
 
 After this the Moralift continued his Narration with 
 great Exac^nels, according to the Religious Opinions of 
 the Antient Heathens. 
 
 Felix told him, fome were of Opinion, that the Souls 
 of thofe, who had liv'd InofFenfively in this Life, are per- 
 mitted to go into their refpecSlive Regions of Reft, till 
 called forth at the Great Day to be made much more re- 
 fined than they were before. 
 
 With Submifllon fays the Virgin, I think Innocency of 
 Thought, and Divine Converfation, raifes the Mind to 
 high and glorious Ideas, tho' at the fame time the Soul 
 dwells in this Tabernacle of Earth. Virtue, faysfhe, con- 
 veys our Meditations beyond Trifles and Vanities ; and in- 
 fenfibly draws us into the practice of our holy and pure Re- 
 ligion : It keeps the Soul alive, and carries it as it were up- 
 on its Wings into thofe Habitations, where unbodied Spi« 
 rits commune and convefe together. 
 
 The Moralift anfwered, that oftentimes Vifions and 
 Dreams carry him even to the Throne of the Creator ; 
 where he fancies he fees Angels attending their Maker, with 
 Songs and Hallelujahs. Says the Virgin, I believe what 
 you fay to be true, for frequently before I dofe my Eyes to 
 Sleep at Night, I think myfelf going to the State of the 
 Dead, the Place of Silence, a Retreat from Sorrow, Pain 
 and Vexation. 
 
 Says the Student, my Thoughts join with yours: I am 
 delighted with thefe fort of Contemplations 5 they prefent 
 to us the future State of Soulsi whether they be gone to thofe 
 
 Regions 
 
 ■. li U i UiUMWWINIJMIllliU i i miJIJi III m i l i. »^.^ miM i H i NU . . ]. ii p|MJ i 
 
[ 19 3 
 
 Regions of Light and Felicity, or to thofe of Sorrow 
 and Darkne(s. It is a Pleafure to carry our Concep- 
 tions into the Dominions of the other World: It 
 gives us fome Foretafte of the StatjC of the Deceafed. 
 I have read, proceeds he, that there are three Kinds of 
 Perfons defcribcd, as being fituated on the Borders between 
 Time and Eternity j and I can give no Reafon for their 
 being placed there in fo particular a manner, becaufe they 
 none of them feem to have a proper Right to a Habitation 
 in thofe Places, as not having fpun out the whole Thread 
 of their Lives, and finifhed their Term of Days allotted 
 them in this vifiblc World. 
 
 The firft of thefe are the Souls of Infants, who arc hur- 
 ried from the Face of the Earth by untimely Ends. 
 
 The fecond are of thofe who die Martyrs, or fuffer 
 wrongfully, or by an unjuft Sentence. 
 
 The third are of thofe who grew weary of their Lives, 
 and laid violent Hands upon themfelves. 
 
 As for the fecond of thefe, the Ancients add, with great . 
 Beauty, that the Judge of the Dead gives them a re-hear- 
 ing, and afligns them their Apartments, fuitable to the 
 Sentence pafled upon them at their fecond Trial. As for the 
 Souls of thofe unhappy Men who deftroy themfelves, O 
 how glad would they now endure Life with all its Mifery ? 
 But their Deftiny forbids their return to Earth. 
 
 Felix made anfwer, my Belief, fays he, is that Man is 
 placed in his Station of Life, like a Poft-Boy in hb proper 
 inn, which he mufl not quit, whatever may happen, till 
 he is called ofF to carry away his next Packet of Letters. 
 
 Thus the Conference went on in their feveral Difcourfes, 
 relating to the various Opinions of Philofophers and Others, 
 as to the State of the Dead and departed Souk. 
 
 At the End of this Interview the Converts left the Mo- 
 ralift, and proceeded on their Journey till they arrived in 
 the Land of Canaan^ in view of Abraham's Houfe, draw- 
 ing near that ancient and ftately Pile, which had a Being 
 Tcven from the beginning of Time. 
 
 They took a ProfpeSl of the Situation, and viewed the 
 Fabrick with a more than ordinary Attention : The Vir- 
 gin's eager Defires were fo inflamed, that (he bid the Guide 
 ftay awhile, that fhe might behold the Situation of the 
 Place with greater Conveniency ; they being now arrived 
 on the Top of a Hill and the Houfe feated on a little De- 
 fcent, furrounded with Gardens and delicate Vineyards, 
 fenced with lofty Cedars and fpreading Walhiut- trees. 
 They cfpyed a fpacious Mote, and a Bridge to let down in 
 Ca the 
 
 J Hi ll I I U i f ii p m. i j..t .i,ii ii ui i y i i j ii i i iMBHiii i i. Mil 
 
.. liTiflrtiiiiwiiiiTitiriii^fiiigiiiaiiiitBitiii - 
 
 t 20 3 
 
 the Day and draw up at Night. The next remarkable 
 $cene was a mighty Wall raifed up with rubb'd BricJ;s, and 
 pver-run with Laurel Branches and Ivy. The Houfc was 
 built altogether of rich Marble, the 'Window Frames be- 
 ing made of Wallnut-tree Wood. Thus having fatisfied 
 their Curiofity, in beholding f6 lovely a Palace, they went 
 down the Hill, where there was two Rows of tall Elms 
 leading to the Manfion. " - - 
 
 When they came to the Gate they read the Infcription 
 wrote over it in Letters of Gold : In this origi^ 
 
 JJAL FaBRICK here INHABITS THE DE- 
 SCENDANTS OF Moses, Aaron, THE Pro- 
 phets, ApostlesandEvancelists;thev 
 
 CONTINUE TO B E AR their For E-F AT HERS 
 
 Names, and practice their Laws and 
 Ordinances. Felix bid the Guide knock at the 
 Gate, and inform the Collegians that there were three 
 Strangers, Converts, come from Sodoniy and were going 
 to Mount Stony the Nezv "JcrufaUm. 
 
 As foon as the Guide had delivered his McfTage the Bell 
 in the Turret rung, which was, as fuppofed, to call a ge- 
 neral Confultation of the Society; fo that by that time 
 /V//A-, the Student and the Virgin had taken a few Turns in 
 the ihady Walks, the Gate was opened for their admit- 
 tance ; where a Perfon of a venerable Afpeft, whofe Name 
 the Guide faid was Aiofes^ received them with all the 
 Civility becoming his great Anceftor. Then Jaron came 
 up to them, and expreflcd, in the mod pathetick Terms, 
 the Satisfa£tion it was to him, and to all the Collegians, in 
 feeing the arrival of three wealthy Profelytes from the 
 Tents of Sodom to Ahraham\ Houfe in the Land of 
 Canaan. 
 
 Then they were condu£^ed into a fpacious Hall, to re- 
 frefh themfelves after the Fatigue of a tedious Progrefs; at 
 thefe Words the Virgin burft forth into Tears of Joy, and 
 addrefled herfelf to this EfFc£l : Moft noble and worthy 
 Patrons, it muft needs be acknowledged that our Journey 
 may well be faid to be weary fome, fince we have been tra- 
 velling in a barren Egypty and could never, as yet, find the 
 way to Reft, till lighting on this faithful Guide,-Our Guar- 
 dian Angel, he conduced the Student, Felix and myfelf to 
 ypur blifsful Seat • otherwife we might have fpent a whole 
 Life in wandering up and down the dark Mountains of 
 Folly, where our Pefires carried us, ever fince the Years 
 of Difcretion, fo as never to entertain fo much as one fe- 
 jrious Thought of Death and Judgment ; The inchanting 
 *'" - ' ■ ' Snares 
 
 i.'U l UiW!|lJ i |iW«!-»- , I ' -:'."< ! -"JMI^ 
 
[ " ] 
 
 Snares of Bodcm extlnguiflied our Thirds, after the refrefli- 
 ing Streams that flow in this Land of Canaan, O that 
 we had laid afide our Prejudice to Virtus, and accuflomed 
 our feh'cs to a holy Life ! but why ftiould we repine at what 
 cannot be recalled. Who knows but that our Sincerity, 
 tho' late, may be accepted ; and that we may now be 
 faithful to Death, and receive the Crown of Life, the 
 Diadem of Glory. 
 
 Then the Student addrefled himfejf; fays he, wecanonljr 
 
 • return you the Tribute of our Thanks, for condefcending 
 
 fo far as to admit us into your Society, and this delightful 
 
 Habitation, which are far more agreeable than an. Imperial 
 
 Court crowded with Licencious Libertines. * 
 
 Felix concluded, we hope our Addrefles have not Inter- 
 rupted your Proceedings, or run counter to your eftablifhed 
 Rules ; therefore we intreat you to z^ with a free Temper, 
 and make us acquainted with your Difcipl/ne, which we 
 ihall readily obferve with the greateft Complacency and 
 Satisfaction of Mind. ^ ' 
 
 They had no fooner ended their Speeches to Mofes^ 
 Aarcn and Abraham^ but the Dcfcendants of the Prophets, 
 Apoflles and the Evangelifls came up in a Body, and made 
 fcveral Speeches to them, too numerous here to Record : 
 Then conducted the Converts into a Room to read the 
 Orders of the Houfe, which were hung up, and wrote in 
 fair Characters. Here they were left alone to imprint every 
 Article upon the Table of their Hearts, each Line being 
 fufficient to charm a Heathen into the Love of Virtue. The 
 firft Article was, that whenever any Inhabitant was admit- 
 ted into the Family,- frequent Prayers fhould be made to 
 the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth, that he would 
 vouchfafe to encreafethe number of his Ele£t, and to hailen 
 his Kingdom; then the Bells, being eight in number, 
 run.g their Chimes, and made fo melodious a Sound that 
 />//>, the Student and the Virgin (bed Tears of Joy, and 
 went up to the Chappel with the Collegians in greater 
 Tranfport than they ever did to a Wedding, or a Corona- 
 tion Day, in the Tents of Sodom. 
 
 As foon as the Student and the Virgin had entered the 
 holy Place, they were feated under a fumptuous Canopy, oa 
 the Top of which was the Figure of a Crown of curious 
 .Work; the Guide told them that was in Token of their 
 Youth, and the Victory gained over the Vanities of Life, 
 ^nd their iafc arrival at Abraham^ Houfe in the Land of 
 Canaan. 
 " • r : ^ Oa 
 
 lilHIRiliiUi iiiiiiJ.,ig!LB«iH||PH» 
 
^AM-smi^mi.^i^4ii^^i^JrM^,.^^i^^,^:^r,^.^.....-^:.~:^^.. 
 
 [ 2* ] 
 
 On this extraordinary Occafion the following Prayer was 
 made by one of the Defcendants of the Evangalifts, 
 
 *' O Father of Mercies, and God of all Comforts, we 
 •* are here met together to fet forth thy Praife, and blefs 
 •' thy holy Name for all thy Wonders of Grace fo boun- 
 •' tifully (hewn to us, and to all Mankind ; but more efpe- 
 ** cially for adding to this Family three more Souls that 
 •' fhall be faved, Perfons that were implanted in vicious 
 •* Habits, of the continual Growth, in the rank Soil of Ini- 
 ** quity, and the Offspring of the moft luxuriant Plants in 
 ** Satati*s Garden, and of thofe, concerning whom our 
 *' dear Redeemer faid it was more poflible for a Camel to 
 ** go through the Eye of a Needle than that they ibould 
 ** enter into his Kingdom ; Lord, here is a rich Felix 
 ** come to work in thy Vineyard, in the eleventh Hour 
 •* of Life ; and two others in the fixth Hour of Life ; it 
 *' grieves them to the very Heart that they came no fooner, 
 •* and we praife thee that they are come at bft : Pour 
 *• down thy richeft Bleflings on them, thy humbleServants, 
 •* who arc defirous to change the Tents of Sodom, to live 
 ** in Abraham's Houfe; they who have deferted the 
 ** Prince of Darknefs to adhere to the King of Glory ; they 
 ** are retired from the Crowds of a debauched City to en- 
 •* joy the Comfort of a retired Solitude ; they have for- 
 •* faken the Society of the Licentious to keep Company 
 •* with the righteous Lots in Canaan : May no Argument 
 •* of the Wicked prevail fo far as ever to draw them back, 
 ** or caufe their Souls to relapfc, but endue them with thy 
 *' Heavenly Aid, and give them fufEcicnt Strength to anfwer 
 ** the Atheift and Deift in their erroneous Notions: O 
 *' thou Father of Light illuminate their Minds by the 
 ** powerful Influence of thy divine Spirit, and make them 
 *' truly fenfiblc that Holinefs brings Peace and A flu ranee 
 ** for ever. Thefc Prayers and Praifcs we mofl humbly in- 
 *' treat thee, O thou Jehovahy to accept, for the 
 *' Mercies of thy dear Son Jefus Chrifty our blefl'ed 
 ♦* Lord and Saviour," 
 
 At the Conclufion of this Prayer there remained a 
 profound Silence, the whole Audience kept on their 
 Knees, folemnizing private Ejaculations to the high God 
 that reigneth in Glory. ; 
 
 As foon as they arofe, every one of the Collegians 
 had delivered to them, by the Servants of the Chappel, 
 cither a Harp or fome other mufical Inflrument; then 
 one of the Defcendants of the Royal Prophet David bcr 
 gun an Anthem with his Voice and his Harp only, 
 ^ when 
 
t 23 ] 
 
 when immediately the whole Audience (except FfUx^ 
 the Student and the Virgin) joined in Concert both 
 with their Inftruments and Voices; in the heighth of 
 the Hallelujah every Eye was fixed. upon the new In- 
 habitants, the Converts. I thought the Eccho. founded 
 fo melodious as if all the Heavenly Hoft had, for a 
 Time, come down and affifted in the Hallelujahs and 
 Praifes in AhrahanCs Houfe in the Land of Canaan ; 
 the Converts even feemed tranflated from Earth to the 
 Regions of Light; they rcfembled Saint Paul,, as it 
 were, when carried out of the Body. 
 
 The Anthem being ended, the Virgin rofe up; lam, 
 faid fhe, fo far carried beyond the frivolous Vanities of 
 this Vale of fenfual Pleafure, that I could willingly fct 
 me down in one of the loweft Seats in this Chappd, 
 and, if it were pcflible, fpend the Remains of Life* 
 in adoring my Sovereign Creator, and fetting forth his 
 Praife in Pfalms and fpiritual Songs : O fweet Harmo- 
 ny! to hear every Morning, Noon and Night, thcfe 
 Angelical Voices, Emblems of the Church Triumphant, 
 where Saints inhabit to endlefs Ages: This is to mc a 
 Forctafte of thofe inexpreffible Delights, in the Enjoy- 
 ment of which we are to fpend our Days, when our 
 Spirits are glorified and divefled of a Body of Fleih. 
 
 As the Virgin was coming from the Houfe of Prayer, 
 Sarah^ the Wife of Jbrahaniy came up to her, and ad- 
 dreflcd her in thefe Words; may this Houfe for ever 
 thus flourifli, and be continually filled with fuch Con- 
 verts as you : O virtuous and chaft Virgin ! may every 
 Kingdom and State imitate fuch your glorious « Ex- 
 ample ; may every Mannor and private Farm be blcf- 
 ied with fuch fprcading Branches, that {hoot out of a 
 noble Stock; may the aged as well as young, look 
 and drefs themfelves by this Virgin's and the Student's 
 Glafe. • 
 
 Let the Hiftory of thefe Penitents be tranflated into 
 all Languages, and preferved in every Study and Library 
 as Records to the End of Time. 
 
 For what can contribute more to the Glory and 
 Safety of any Nation than the examplary Lives of 
 young Students and Virgins. They will find that the 
 bifcipL'ne of Religion is not fo ftri(Sl and rigid, as re- 
 prefented by the Atheifls and Deifts; but on the con- 
 trary, its Burden is eafy, and its Yoke is light: The 
 Precepts of holy Writ allows all the innocent Plcafurct 
 that reafonable Creatures can defire; and abridges its 
 
 Votaries 
 
f. 24 J. 
 
 Votaries of no Enjoyments but thofe that are apparentljr 
 prejudicial to their Welfare in both Worlds. 
 
 To this Addrcfs of Sarah no Anfwer was returned; 
 the Virgin feemcd to be veiled with the Mantle of Hu^' 
 inility, as not afluming any Merit at all in herfelf : this 
 A6t 1 thought added Beauty to ail her other Virtues. 
 
 Then I faw that *the Audience feparated, and left 
 Felixy the Student and the Virgin to contemplate alone, 
 by themfclves, in fecret Prayer and private Conference. 
 
 Felix fpoke firfl ; fays he, fuppofing there were no Re- 
 wards or Punifhments, in the future State, neverthelefs, 
 it is evident that there is more real Satisfaction in one 
 Day's Converfe in the Converfation of the Righteous, 
 than in an Age within the Tents of Sodom^ tho' fet 
 out in all its gaudy Luftre and painted Vanity. 
 
 Says the Student, I never as yet found any Plcafure in 
 a vicious Habit, but what was varnlfhcd over with falfc 
 Colours, the End Shame and Confufion of Soul. 
 
 The Virgin reply'd, where is that particular Vice 
 that can afford rational Beings any folid Comfort^ or 
 lafting Tranquility of Mind ? After they had thus given 
 in their particular Opinions, upon ihefe Subjects, it 
 was near the going down of the Sun, in the longeft 
 Day, when the Creation was drefled in her Summer 
 Habit : The whole Society went into the adjacent Fields 
 and Meadows, to divert themfclves with an Evening 
 Repaft, till Supper "was prepared and ready to beforved 
 up ; when all fat down and jpintly participated of what 
 Providence had prepared for them. After Grace was 
 faid, and the Table uncovered, the Servants retired and 
 •fhut the Door. 
 
 Then the Collegians entertained their new Comers 
 with variety of diverting Difcourfes upon Philofophv, 
 Arts, Sciences and Hiftorical Records ; thus they fct in 
 Converfation till the Bell rung to Prayers, and the Cha- 
 pel illummatcd with Candles, fct in Ciiryflal Branches > 
 at the End of the Service all the Collegians took up 
 again, either a Harp, a Lute, or a Dulcimer, and be-, 
 gun an Hymn joined with their Voices; fo that (the 
 Luftre of the Scene of the Lights was fo dazzling, and 
 the Harmony of the Inftruments fo inchanting) I thought 
 it reprefented the Glories of the invifible World. 
 
 Ti:e publick Service of the Day being thus ended, />- 
 //V, the Student and the Virgin were conducted to their 
 fcveral Apartments ; all which were hung round with 
 the Pidures of Mofes^ Aaroriy the Prophets, the Apo- 
 
^, p. ;:.^^.^^-;«:i,..-^.^,.-^^ :.;^';:,_.-^- ■.■.-,^...:..:y^...:»!A^:.-^.,i.t^,i,..,ri>.^.^->i. . 
 
 I is 3 
 
 files, and the Evahgelifts ; as alfo thofe of ShaJrach^ 
 Mefach aud AbednegOy walking in the midft of a fiery" 
 Furnace^ without a Hem of their Garments being fmged 
 by Fire. , . . . 
 
 Thefe Images, of departed Saints and Martyh, kept therii' 
 awake till Midnight j thofe Scences fent their Thoughts 
 back to the firft original Age, when the Creator, had 
 finifhed his fix Days Work, and the whole Face of t^e . 
 Earth appeared in all her new-made Ornaments ; when 
 the Image of Man had familiar Converfe with his God^ 
 and Abraham talked with him, and heard him anfwer. 
 
 I thought, with myfelf, that could I be infpired, but 
 for one Hour, to converfe with my Creator, and my 
 Jefus, I (hould think my Soul fafe, and my Aflurancc to 
 Heaven confirmed. 
 
 Then I faw that FellXj the Student and the Virgin^ 
 went to their . private Devotion, to implore Divine Pro- 
 teflion, during the nightly Shades, that bear the Image of 
 Death. . 
 
 Early in the Morning they all arofe, and put up, their 
 Ejaculations to their God ; then they opened theCafements 
 ©f their Windows, that looked into the Grove j there they 
 were entertained with a Choir of Birds, finging on the 
 Branches of Trees, as if they were bid to welcome them 
 to Ahraham*s Houfe. 
 
 When thefe Matings,-^ of the winged Choir were ovcf, 
 the Converts walked out of their feparate Apartments into 
 one of the Gardens, incircled with Borders, decked on 
 every Side with Flowers, fome blown, others juft peeping 
 out from the Clifts of their Hoods j at the Sight of thefe 
 delightful Obje(5ls the Student broke forth, and faidj 
 
 " O, how amiable art thou, the Creator, in all thy 
 *' Works! Who is like unto thee in thy Energies? I have 
 *' heard of thofe Artifts that could draw the Likene(s of 
 *' any Thing that appears to their View, but I could nevcr^ 
 *^ as yet, meet with that Mortal whofe Ingenuity crbwn'd 
 *' him with fuch Succeis as to caufe Flowers to bud and 
 •* blow, and fpring out of the Earth, without either 
 *' planting or fowihg Seed." 
 
 • Then Felix came out of his Apartment, and went to' 
 the Student and the Virgin; as they were viewing thefe 
 glorious Contextures of Nature, fays he, what a wonder- 
 ful Work was the firfl founding of all thefe Vegetables that 
 we now behold and wonder- at with Aflonifhment^ not tcr 
 be cxprefTed in Words or conceived by Thought ? 
 .1 . ^ -^^'/ 
 
 t' W Hj HiP iPJl* ' 
 
i i 26 ] 
 
 FeVix^ the Student and the Virgin continued thus, till 
 called to receive their Morning Rcfrefliment, of Goo's 
 good Creatures : Here they ftaid near an Hour, conveHing 
 with the Collegians upon innocent and inofFenfive Points, 
 entertaining to the Body, and not hurtful to the SouL 
 
 From thence all the Family went to the Morning Service, 
 and the Inftruments and human Voices broke forth into 
 high Strains of Praifes ; there was not one jarring Sound 
 heard in all their Times ; their melodious Notes were fo 
 fwect and mufical that the very Animals, the Deer in the 
 Park came up to the Terras Walk, under the Windows 
 of the Chapel, and liftned attentively to hear the Sound 
 eccho from above, and in the adjacent Thickets. The a£- 
 fcmbling together of thcfe Animals, as it were into a 
 united Company, looked as if they underftood how to pay 
 their early Tribute to the firft Caufe of all Beings. 
 
 From thefe holy Exercifes the Collegians, Felix^ the Stu- 
 dent and the Virgin went into the Vineyards and Grove, 
 and feparated into fmall Companies. 
 
 The Converts took a bye Path to themfelves. Says the 
 Student, whenever I look over my Books, in my Study, 
 it brings to my Mind, that good Men, without ftirring from 
 their Books, may make great Difcovcries of the 
 Beauty and Deformity of Nature: For the reading ancient 
 Authors, and looking back to paft Ages, gives a Hiftory, 
 or properly fpeaking, a Colleftion of the Crimes and Mif- 
 'fortunes of Mankind : Tho* thefe Evils do not fill up the 
 Pages in Record, and include all the Experience of private 
 Perfons, yet there are every where foraething that is mo* 
 rally good; fome Examples of Virtue and Happinels ; and 
 this is that which makes the Difficulty ; for if there were 
 none but evil and unhappy Men, there would be no occa- 
 Con of making Remarks between Virtue and Vice ; it is a 
 Mixture of Happinefs and Virtue,' with Mifery and Vice, 
 which gives a Scope to Authors to treat upon fuch variety 
 of Subje^, 
 
 Says FeliXy I have often taken an Obfervation of the 
 Affairs of Mankijid, and conlidering, a litrie, that good 
 Things are fometimes beftowed upon a Nation, and after- 
 wards that People are often afflifted for their Offences com- 
 mitted within themfelvc9. 
 
 . The Student aqfwered ; fays he, if we perufe paft Rc« 
 cprds ever .fo little, we (hall find tho Truth of this Affer- 
 tiori : I have, read the Obfervations given by the Ingenious, 
 and there I apprehend that the fame Jupiter, tawhom Sa* 
 q-^ficqj were offered for a *Vi6lory gained, was honoured 
 
 upon 
 
-t rifc'iiim iHhii iiiii ■iriti inmrli *i mWtiiii nin'nii ii ir . 
 
 f 27 3 
 
 upon bther Occafions, to the end he fhould cdafe to affli^ 
 the People of Heme', and tho' there was one Fejovis^ much 
 • more inclined to do Evil than to do Good> neverthelefs it 
 was believed that Dijovis^ or Diefpiters i, e, the God Ju*^ 
 piier^ darted the Thunder Bolts. JuliusGallius explains him* 
 felf in fuch a manner, that he clearly diilinguifhes Jupitwr 
 from T^efc^s. 
 
 Says Felix^ I apply thcfe Fi<flions of the Poets to the oc» 
 cafion of our arrival in the Land of Canaan^ from the 
 Tents of Sodom. Providence has given us from out of her 
 Fountain of rich Wine, large Portions to drink; and out of 
 the Fountain there is nothing but bitter Dregs ; fhe has 
 given full Bowls into the Hands of thofe that dill remain in 
 Sodoniy and will not make a Progreis to Mount Skn^ .the 
 New JerufaUm, The Student faid j 
 
 I have taken Notice how the Engine of the World run« 
 round, ibmetimes Profperity points towards the Wicked^ 
 and fometimcs towards the Virtuous. Felix anfwered^ 
 
 Should a curious Artift undertake to paint the Linea- 
 ments of Virtue and Vice, and hang Pictures at the Doo^ 
 of our Temples, I am fure ex'ery Peribn, who beheld the 
 Portraiture, would fay, as they come to divine Worfhipi, 
 what are Sinners doing? every Figure dcfcribcs them an 
 Athcift, a Delft, or a Reprobate. 
 
 After thefe Conferences, between the Student and Filix^ 
 I obfervcJ, at a diftance, Sarah, Jhraham's Wife, and the 
 Virgin, fet alone on a Bench in the Grove, difcourfing^to^ 
 gethcr ; I went up to them, their Subjeft was on Death^ 
 the Period of all Mortals. 
 
 Says Sarah to the Virgin, this folitiry Retreat puts me 
 in mind of Mortality, and our fhort continuance here 
 on Earth : We come into the World with a Cry, and de- 
 part with a Groan : Our fliort Abode in this Vale, may 
 well be compared to that of Flowers, which fuddcnly ipring 
 up in a fruitful Soil : Some appear more gay -and beautiful 
 than others ; fome begin to blow in the Morning, and o- 
 thcrs to take their Turns when the Day is farther advanced, 
 difcovering themfelves by an iiifenfiblc growth ; but a Fate 
 attends tbem all : For fome are nipt in the Bud ; othets 
 when a buding; fome are blown to their utmoft extent 
 before they arc gathered ; others are crc^t off as foon as 
 their Colours are difplayed: Some die away by the iharp* 
 nefe of the Air; others by the heat of the Sun: ^ome for 
 want of Refrefbroent, whilft others continue till the Root is 
 *<iuitc dried up for want of Moifturc : However, in the ipace 
 
 0» of 
 
[28 3 
 
 of a few Months there is nothing to be feen but a 
 Bundle of dry Kecks, or withered Stalks. 
 
 To this folemn Relation the Virgin made anfwer ; 
 fays {he, our firft Parents were created in the infancy 
 of the World, and ever fince the Generation of Men 
 have taken their Turns in the feveral Ages of it: Some 
 depart in their Mother's Womb, and never fee the Light 
 of the Day : Some come into the World juft to die ; 
 and others only live fo long in it as to fend forth a few 
 mournful Cries: Some give their Parents a few Months 
 Trouble, and depart as foon as weaned from the Breafl : 
 Some live to hear thcmfelves utter a few intricate Words, 
 which they do not underfland, and then expire as if 
 they had never been: Some continue five or fix Years, 
 anci then fink into the lower Shades : Some ftand the 
 Shock till fifteen, and then are turned to Dufl : Some 
 l)are it out to the flower of Youth, and then go down 
 with Sorrow to the Grave : Some having attained to 
 the middle Age bid adieu to all their Pleafures, and fall a 
 Vi6lim to unrelenting Death : Some get up above the 
 feventieth Year, and leave the World in a good old 
 Age: Some weather the Storm for ninety Years, and 
 at lafl die like a Child : So that the Generations that 
 were formerly living in the World, as we are at pre- 
 fent, are all dead and gone : And in a fhort Time we 
 ihall follow the Steps of our Fore-fathers, and Men will 
 ceafe to be born. 
 
 I obferved, that all the Time the Virgin was deli- 
 vering this Le<5lure of Mortality, Tears diftillcd from her 
 Eyes like Drops of Water from a Fountain. I was 
 highly delighted to fee Virtue thus P.ow and fpring up 
 in the Breaft of a young Virgin : What Philofopher, 
 what Divine, could deliver himfelf in a more elo- 
 quent and florid Stile than fhe did ? a Language out of 
 the common Level of Mankind : Her Voice, her Speech, 
 conveyed my Thoughts to the Tombs and Charnel Houfe 
 of Death, the End of all Flefh. No fooner had I cal- 
 led back my Thoughts from the Habitation of the Dead, but 
 I heard the Harps, the Lutes and the Dulcimers, tu- 
 jiing their Notes in the Grove: Here I fencied myfelf 
 tranflated out of the Body, and carried up into the Regions 
 -above ; for the Mufick feemed to dye in a diflant Sound, 
 land its Notes raifed up beyond the Airy Regions. 
 ' Thefe, and fuch like, arc the Amufements of every 
 Day, within the Verge of Abraham's Houfe: One Porr 
 iion of Time is fpent to converfe and talk with God; 
 "'•' ' •/ . . another 
 
[ 29 } 
 
 another Part is allotted for Prayer, and fome for PleafureV ' 
 So that the Body is refrefhed as well as the Soul, with fuch 
 Diverfities and Changes of Duties and Exercifes. At other 
 Seafons of the Day and Night fome adjourn to their Clofets, 
 fome to the Vineyards, or wherever virtuous or innocent 
 Diverfions leads them : No Vice or Irregularities arc feca ' 
 or heard within this Retreat fronj Sodom. 
 
 Here every Hour fecms to be a Thankfgiving, or a Co- 
 ronation Day : All are inftru(^ed in facred Writ ; every 
 Text is truly explained, and expounded ; as alfo Philofo- 
 phy. Arts and Sciences, Voyages and Travels : Thefc Re- 
 cords are depofited in jibrahanCs Library, 
 
 /V//>, the Student and the Virgin, frequently retire to the 
 Park, and walk round the Canals, viewing the Robes of 
 State with which " the divine Being clothes the fpacious 
 Plains, Fields and Meadows, in the Spring of every Year; 
 and undrcfTes them again in the Autumn and Winter^ 
 Thus the Loom of Nature is ever working, it never (bmds 
 unimployed; it is a perpetual Motion, >* 
 
 If we do but fearch, ever fo little, into the Secrets of 
 natural Produ(5tions, we may obferve feveral Sorts of Trees 
 and Plants, that are no fooner ftript of their old Vefturcs, 
 but the God of Nature is working new ones out of their 
 own Subflance. 
 
 Then is it not highly reafonable to believe that Man, the 
 Image of his Creator, will be fet off in the Morning of the 
 Refurrcclion with everlafling Ornaments, and made fer 
 more lovely than the Rofes and Pionys now appears to our 
 View, 
 
 How tranfcendent, glorious and feraphick, will our Spi- 
 rits appear, when we come to enter within the refplendenC 
 l^cgions. There is not a fingle Plant or Weed, in anj 
 Park, but the more we look on it, the more its wonderfiil 
 Contexture difcovers itfelf to our Eyes. Sweet Jefus I 
 how ought we to be filled with Admiration, when we be- 
 hold thy Wonders, and feel thy fwcet enamulation of that 
 inward Peace, which infenfibly flows from Virtue and In- 
 nocency, b»::almed with olivine Contemplation in Re- 
 tirement. 
 
 Virtue and Innocency is a continual Fcaft ; it is made 
 for the Entertainment of the Soul, and the Soul ordained 
 for the' everlafling Enjoyment of it : The Guilty are 
 Strangers to it : It is truly known to none but the Regene- 
 rate. There is a feeming Virtue and Innocency, which 
 for a while, may attend the Hypocrite or ^le-hearted 
 Profeflor^ who thinks himfclf happy by reafon of the 
 
 fuddea 
 
Tnr'iiiitfrlitf%rr-':;^,firT|ii%tii<ttfiitVitf^^^ I, ii -. ^ ^ 
 
 I so 1 
 
 flicWcn Fhflics of Peace that dart^ ihfd his Mind, at 
 fomc uncertain Seafons : But alafe ! it falls (hort of thofe 
 Rivers of well-grounded Satisfadion that continually 
 flow from Virtue and Innocency. The Peace of the 
 Wicked is much broken, but the innocent Mind con- 
 tinues in Tranquility, and ftands like a Rock of Ada- 
 mant. The Sinner's Peace is counterfeit ; his Virtues 
 arc withered : But tbe truly innocent and inofFenfivc 
 Soul is continually blooming frefli and green : The 
 Sinner's Eafe is (hort and tranfitory, but the Joys of 
 the Righteous are evcrlafting: The Sinner's Thoughts 
 are variable; but the Virtuous are durable, and not 
 fubje^l to change. The Sinner's Mind is clouded with 
 Ftars, but the Virtuous are always Compofed and Calm: The 
 Sinner's Hope will perifh with him, but the Righteous 
 will remain in the Day of Adverfity, and in the Hour 
 of Death. 
 
 Let none deceive their Souls in expe^Sbtion of arri- 
 ving at Mount Sion by the Means of carnal Security^ 
 a ftcadinefs of Mind, "built on a fandy Foundation; 
 but examine the State of their own Heart, and bring 
 it to the Touchllone of the Divine Law; For what 
 win a falfe Hope avail, when the Tr}'al is called on 
 at the creat Day of general Aflize. 
 
 As Jv/;>, the Student and the \nrgin, were con- 
 templating upon what had been thus delivered to them, 
 Ijpon the Subject of Saints and Sinners, Virtue and In- 
 liocency, one of the Servants of the Houfe came and 
 told them there were Coaches at the Gate, attended 
 with a large Retinue, who defired to fpealc with them. 
 
 The Converts were ftruck with no fmall Surprize, 
 
 as not knowing the Meaning of fuch a Viiit; they 
 
 • went to them, and who ftiould they be but the Duire 
 
 »f Worldly Honour, the Marquefs of Mafquerades, Plays, 
 
 &c. with the young Countcfs of Senfual Pleafurc. 
 
 Thefe Vifitors pretended they had travelled Day and 
 Night, out of fingular Love and Refpc<St they hid for 
 Felix^ the Student, and the Virgin : The Converts could 
 do no leis than to take them into their Apartments to rc^ 
 fre{h themfelves, and to walk put with them Into the Gar- 
 dens and Groves, to hear the Reafon of their Vifit. 
 
 The firft that fpoke was the Duke of Worldly Honour: 
 He addrefs'dhimfelf to the Student; fays he, I admire that 
 a Man of your Parts and Learning ihould be fo ftrangely 
 led away by a Pack of crazy Dotards, with the fimple No- 
 tion of the fuprcmc Power and a Rcfurio^ion-Day^ fince 
 
 there 
 
{ jt 3 
 
 can he no more in it than there b in a Dafe Ihat grow* 
 in the Fields, a filly fort of Flower which ferves only to a-i 
 mufe Children and Fools. Be wife and go back with mc to 
 the Tents of SoJom ; there are Preferments to crown you 
 with which will abundantly (ktiate yovir Defires, and 
 yaife your Grandeur. ' ' 
 
 The Student returned for anfwer ;' alafe! do you think 
 to bring me over to your Party by repeating an old Atheifv, 
 tical Aphorifm, which is fcarce of fufficient Force to pro* 
 vail with a JiW, a Turky or a Tagan^ that there is no fuch 
 thing as a fupreme Being and a future Day of Reckoning. 
 
 Sir, fays he, if you defign to prevail with mc, yt>u mu^ 
 produce more cogent Reafons, and offer me greater Hoa. 
 nours ; for no lefs Reward than a Crown will be able to 
 draw me out of Ahraham\ Houfe, in my Progreis toMount 
 Ston ; and it mufl be alfo an Imperial Diadem, purchafed 
 from above, or elfe it will not ferve my Turn. 
 
 Ygu tell me that the divine Power and the Truth of % ■. 
 Refurre£lion, is no more viflble than it is in a Dalie Flowery 
 I'll grant it, and fliall prove the Reality of botl?, by the ad- 
 mirable Curiofity that appears in the Texture of that dcf-* 
 picable Weed : For how many pretty Leaves, diverfifyed 
 with curious Colours, (hoot out of the Top of that littla 
 Stalk ? Tell me, if thou can'ft, by what Art it is fo wonderfuUjr 
 wrought, and by what Force it fprings out of the Ground?^ 
 Thy want of Ability, to refolvethis Qucftion, afiuresma 
 of the immenfe Power of God, and the Certainty of my 
 Body arifing again ; fo that 1 am refolved to ftay in Soli" 
 tude, till thou can*ft fummon up ftronger Arguments to 
 prove thy prefumptuous Aflertion. 
 
 As for thy Preferments in Sodom^ I do not value them, 
 there is nothing in it but an empty bbft of Air, that is 
 foon blown over, and difperfed in the thick Mift of Obli"* 
 vion. As for my Part, 
 
 Whofoever may be enamoured with fleeting Shadows, I 
 dcfire not to be dandled in fuch flippery Arms, which raiies 
 up in a Trice, to make Fools look and think it a fine thin^ 
 to be advanced to a high Station, and then to be let fallen, 
 on a fudden,and fo become a LaughingrStock to the Crowds 
 of gazing SpecEiators ; which is frequently the fad CataC* 
 trophe of thofe who ambitioufly afpire to the higbeft Pia« • 
 nacle of Preferment, either in Church or State.. - . : 
 . I fhall think myfclf fufEciently rewarded if I can but b6« 
 come a Favourite of the Sovereign Monarch of Heaven, 
 and be raifed to his Kingdom, .where I {hall never be in 
 danger of falling into the Valleys of Difgrace^ but admired 
 
 rmmmmmmmummim* 
 
ii'TrM i lft"i ii W <i tiai i M ii r .i . i ■ ■<■ ■ i i m ii nn i i ii Mi i n i ftf .. .. - ...r. l.^miwit,. .h. .,. 
 
 C 3» ] 
 
 by all the Citizens of Mount Stony to the cndlefs Agbrof 
 Eternity. 
 
 The Duke of Worldly Honour, perceiving his Defigns 
 to be fruftrated, retired and fent up the Marquefs of Maf- 
 querades. Plays, Wf. This Vice-chancellor of Satan's 
 Univerfities addreflcd himfelf to Felix; moft worthy Feiixy 
 fays he, and well-beloved Friend, What ftrange Fancy hath 
 led thee hither to fo difmal a Solitude, incirded with me- 
 lancholy Groves and wild Wildernefles? This is no proper 
 Habitation for the Frequenters of my Houfes, efpecially a 
 Ruler of the People, a generous Soul who ufed to be my 
 conftant Gueft every Evening, either to fee a Mafquerade, 
 Ball, Tragedy, or Comedy. 
 
 It is not theLofs of part of my yearly Revenues, to which 
 thou haft fubfcribed with great Liberality, that caufcs me 
 to be fo much concerned, as the Abfence of thy noble Perfon 
 and that of thy Companions ; for if my Houfe were defer- 
 ted by Men of thy Quality, my Traffick would altogether 
 ceafe, and the Doors muft be mut up. 
 
 Therefore, I intreat thee, noble FeliXy to return with 
 me ; I have new Operas, Tragedies and Comedies, in Re-' 
 fcearfal, and ready to be performed at our arrival: The 
 DrefTes and Scenes are likewifc new, fo that I doubt not but 
 to have Houfes filled with the chiefeft of thy Rank and 
 (Jiiality : And for their better Entertainment, there is juft 
 arrived fe\'cral French and Italians to Dance and Sing, 
 which perform to Admiration. Their Voices and Harmony, 
 with the Beauties of the female Sex, will charm and glut 
 thy Eyes and Ears, and fatiate thy Dcfires more than the 
 Elyfian Fields. 
 
 Sir, fays Felix y will you be plea fed to take notice, thit 
 the quick Senfe of the malignant Nature of Sin was the 
 chief Motive that induced me to go with the Student and 
 the Virgin : I am confcious of my frequent reforting to thy 
 lewd Operas, Mafquerades, ^c. and the fight of thy gaudy 
 and drelled up Audience. 
 
 The more Company I formerly ufed to bring to thy 
 Houfe, fo much the more I ought to refrain from thofe Va- 
 nities for the future. As for your deluding Phantoms of a 
 Company of /r^«f^ and //fl//<2nj,jufl arrived, that (hall never 
 decoy me into the Snare. I defire no more to fee their an- 
 tick and dilguifed DrefTes, nor to hear their atheiftical and 
 blafphemous Difcourfes j thofe wanton Airs, painted Scenes, 
 and tempting Songs, are apt to ftrikc a Damp on the Spirits 
 even of the beft of Men. 
 
 . I have 
 
1 have often obferved, that many faithful Sen'ants ofv^od 
 who took the Liberty to go to your Entertainments, once 
 or twice a Year, have ftrangely fall*n away in the Perfor- 
 mance of their refpedive Duties ; not being able to reco- 
 ver their former Sandtity of Life for fome conflderablc 
 Time; which Indifpofition was apparently pccafioned by 
 vain Thoughts, that darted into their Minds, relating to 
 what they had feen or heard in thofe licentious Theatres. 
 
 Tell me not of the Crowds of Nobility and Gentry 
 that are to be Partakers of your pompous Shews and new 
 Scenes ; it now grieves me to the very Heart that Perfbns 
 nobly defcended (hould a<5l fo contrary to known Principles, 
 anddebafe themfelves fo ^as to fet forth fuch ill Precedents. 
 
 If I could by any Means be prevailed upon to return 
 with you, it fliould be to let thole Perlbns of Honour 
 know how mifbecoming it is to their high Birth and Cha- 
 ra(5^er, to encourage and maintain fuch leWd Packs of 
 flafliy, ill contrived Sophifters, who fain would pais for 
 the greateft Wits of the Age ; but are altogether void of 
 true Wifdom, as not being capable to hold a Difputation 
 with Men of fcund Judgment. For it may be obferved, 
 by any judicious Perfon, that when thefe pretended Sdo* 
 mons arc engaged in any folid Argument, and find them« 
 felves put to it, they immediately have recourfe to 
 pittiflil Shifts and Evahons, endeavouring to buffoon 4 
 fmcere Chriitian out of his excellent Reafonings, by a few 
 Repartees and wild Notions, which the Poets have beat 
 into their addPd Brains, as a Rod of Corredion does the 
 A, B, C> into the Ihallow Intellects of a dull-pated Boy, 
 who can fay no more than what he learns by wrote. 
 
 On the other Hand, the Children of the high God cao- 
 not be bufFoon'd, or eafily impofcd upon; but foon cx- 
 pofe their Adverfaries egregious Follies to Scorn and Deri- 
 lion. For who can have greater Advantages than tho(e 
 that are enriched from above ? and experimentally know 
 the Difference between Good and Evil ; between Virtue 
 and Vice j between Things that arc honeft, laudable 
 lovely and of good Report; and thofe that are fordid, dc- 
 teflable, vile and infamous. 
 
 For whereas wicked Miscreants are (killM in nothing but 
 the black Art of Hell, withaTin<5hire of blind Philofophy: 
 So that true Prudence is to be found in none but the gc* 
 nuine Sons of the all- wife God, and Heirs of Salvation. ' 
 
 The Marquifs of Mafquerades, * Plays, ^c. having 
 heard Felix's Rcfolves, went away, and gave Place to 
 the young Countcfs ofSenfual Pleafurcs| (be came up 
 
 £ to 
 
[ 34 ] 
 
 tothe Virgin, drefled to the bcft Advantage, in gaudy At- 
 tir?, to demand the Reafon how (he had changed her fine 
 Apparel for fo plain a Dre(s, as {he now appeared in ; be- 
 coming all of a fudden fo meak and humble in Spirit, who 
 not long fmce was of a high and haughty Difpofition : 
 Come, faid fhe. Virgin, return with me to the Tents of 
 Sodomy I will ftrip thee of this formal Habit, and adorn 
 thee with Plumes of Pride, agreeable to thy Birth and ce- 
 lebrated Beauty : Be perfuaded to lay afide thefe melancholy 
 Looks and Carriage towards thy Inferiors, and ornament 
 thy noble Defcent with a majeftick Look. 
 
 The Virgin anfwered ; my former Mifdemeanors oughf 
 not to be expofed, and brought in as a Motive to enducc 
 me to continue in the fame Follies ; fince Experience and 
 divine Grace has refin*d my Underftanding, and purified my 
 Morals. Pride may become brute Beafts, but it is alto- 
 gether unfeemly and odious in theProfeflbrsofChriftianity; 
 for nothing difplays a Woman's Folly more than an idle 
 Conceit of her own Worth and Beauty : And indeed when- 
 ever our Sex, vain-glorioufly, vaunt it over their Inferiors, 
 as if they were not FIe(h and Blood equal with themfelves, 
 they do but imitate a filly Child that is mightily pleafed 
 with a gaudy Feather in his Cap, and thinks he can do 
 much greater Feats in his mallering his Playfellow, than if 
 he where ftript of his Finery, or appeared in as mean a 
 Garb as the poor Boy with whom he is contending with. 
 
 Madam, fays {he, it is not your black Plague-Spots of 
 Damnation, nor the paint laid fo thick on your freckled 
 Face, which fitly reprefcnts the Flames of a wounded Con- 
 fcience: It it not your Equipage, Necklace of Pearl, rich 
 Pendents, Bread Jewels, Lockets of Diamonds, repeating 
 Watch, and other gay Trinkets, they {hall no longer daz- 
 zle my Eyes, or inchant my Scnfes, fo as to make me your 
 future Companion : On the contrary, Pll learn to adorn 
 my Mind with thofe excellent Graces of Virtue and Inno- 
 cence, and keep on this my plain Drefs, as you are pleafed 
 to term it, fo {hall I become an humble A{rociate of the 
 lowly and meak in Spirit. 
 
 Pride of Heart is the very ElTencc of the Prince of 
 Darkneis, and gorgeoufnels of Ve{lure, is as it were his 
 outward Garb, in which he fometimes Counterfeits the 
 Luftre of an Angel of Light : Then whofoever will may 
 take Pleafure in being pufFed-up with Vain-Glory and Ar- 
 rogance J talking big, and calling fcornful Glances on o- 
 ther VefTels made of the fame Mould with themfelves. 
 VH incclfantly put up my Petition to Heaven for an even 
 • * Temper, 
 
1.35 1 
 
 Temper, equal to that of the Patriarch yeh^ and learn of 
 my crucified Je/us the Adb of Mortification and Self-de- 
 
 j nial ; and be familiar in my Demeanour towards all that 
 bear the Image of their Creator. 
 
 I For what Excellency is there in me, tho* I am wealthy, 
 
 I young and beautiful, more than in another Perfon ? am not 
 I framed in the fame Likenefs ? And mufl not I lay down 
 in the fame Level at lafl, with all the refl of mortal 
 
 I Beings? 
 
 Are my Qualifications more fublime than thofe of other 
 Virgins ? Am I carved out in a finer Shape than they, by 
 the curious Hand of the Almighty ? fo much the more 
 ought I to humble myfelf, and look up to the indulgent 
 Father of Mercies, from whom every good and perfed 
 Gift proceeds ; as well knowing that if 1 be conceited with 
 myfelf, or pufFed-up on Account of my natural Endow- 
 ments, fuch a vain Prefumption would over-fhadow, and c- 
 clipfe all my real Worth and Excellency. Til never enter- 
 tain a fond Opinion of my own Abilities, but learn by De- 
 grees to refine my Speculations, by taking more Delight in 
 hearing other Virgins well fpoke of, than feeing myfelf 
 revered and applauded. 
 
 Let my Sex make what Figure they pleafe, by triming 
 up a dying and corruptible Body with gay Apparel, I ihall 
 think my Drefs fuificiently genteel, if I can but cover the 
 Nakednefs of my firfl Parents, and defend myfelf againfl 
 the cold Blafls of Winter Storms : For what Advantage 
 is the outward Ornament of a few gay Peacock Feathers f 
 which only encreafes the Arrogance of the Perfon that 
 wears them, and attra<Sls the Eyes of the Envious to look 
 how they are fluck on, who are apt to cavil at every Mode 
 of dreffing, and even at the mifplace of a fingle Lock of 
 Hair. 
 
 Therefore be gone from me, vain-glorious Countefs, for 
 I am refolvcd to dwell in JbrahanCs Houfe, with the Fa- 
 mily of the Meek ; where no ambitious Worldlings inha- 
 bit, nor haughty infulting Spirits diflurb the Tranquility 
 of our Retirement. 
 
 Upon thefe refolute Reprimands, the arrogant Lady per* 
 ceiving her Allurements to be of no Force, went away, 
 and left the Virgin alone to return treble Praifes to the high 
 God, that {he had thus valiantly overcome the grand £ne« 
 mles of her Salvation. 
 
 ^ The three Agents, the Vicegerents of Satan, werein- 
 '• ccnfed with theDifappointmcnt they met with, after a lone 
 
 £ % . and 
 
[ 36 ] 
 
 and tedious Journey, fo that they returned from whencil 
 they came, viz. the Tents of Sodom, 
 
 At their departure the Converts told the Collegians all 
 that had pafsM, and to perpetuate the Memory of this 
 Day, Felix, the Student and the Virgin were conduced, in 
 the Evening, into an Apartment, reprefenting a Theatre, 
 in which there was a Stage illuminated with Lamps and 
 Candles ; then all the Collegians appeared, with mufical 
 Inftruments in their Hands, and performed an Anthem 
 upon this extraordinary Occafion; which, what with 
 their Voices and the found of Harps, I thought was (b fe- 
 raphick and glorious, that it imitated holy and immaterial 
 Spirits in their Hallelujahs^ 
 
 At the Period of thefe Praifes and Thankfgivings, Cent 
 up to the high God, that reigns in Glory, a Scene was 
 drawn, reprefenting a Penitent furrounded on all Sides with 
 Laurels and Trophies of Honour. 
 
 The Hiftory of this Convert was rehcarfed to />//jf, the 
 Student and the Virgin : The Contents ran thus, the Peni- 
 tent, rcprcfcnted in this Scene, was a Sinner, as well as 
 you; he lived in Sodomy before it was deftroved by Fire and 
 Brimftone, but by the mighty Power of God he left that 
 City, and travelled to Jbraham'^s Houfe in Canaan, there 
 he lived, and there he died: It is to his Memory that this 
 Record is kept, as an original Piece to paint after, of which 
 Felix, the Student and the Virgin may be faid to Copy 
 in the firft Part of their Progrcfsjand in this haveobtained 
 a Viiflory over Worldly Honours, fenfual Pleafurcs, Pride 
 and Ambition. 
 
 This original Penitent, at his Converfion, compofed the 
 following Prayer: " O, thou God ychovah! let my 
 ** Petition at thy Throne be, that thou wouldft ne- 
 ** ver forfakc me, but grant me the Favour, and the 
 *' Light of thy Countenance: Let me not be betrayed into 
 •* any Thing that is ungrateful or unjuft: Let me notfhut 
 ** my Ear to the Cries of the Needy, nor forget the Per- 
 *' fon that has dcferved well of me : Let me not for any 
 *' Fear dcfcrt my Friends, my Principles, or my Honour :- 
 •* If Wealth is to yifit me, and come with her ufual At- 
 *' tendance, make me meek and humble in Soul : If Pover^ 
 « ty overtakes me, " may I refign to thy Will, and bear 
 ** Hunger, Cold and Nakednefs. There is more Pleafure 
 f* in the Pra6lice of Virtue, than in that of Riches^ Pa- 
 *' rents, Children, Wife or Friends. My Soul glow'd with- 
 in me at the rehcarfah of this original rrayer, made be- 
 fore 5o</^;w was deilroycd. ' ^ ". ' \ 
 
 An4 
 
 '»^-P.'.^WWP!SI'l|(f||p 
 
t 37 ] 
 
 And yet I was (lill more delighted in fteing anothe? 
 Scene drawn, reprefenting two Altars, one the Emblem of 
 Light, the other of Darknefs: In the firft there was an* 
 Angel decyphered, holding a Tranfparcnt Globe in his 
 Hand, fignifying the Glories of Heaven: Then I cailmv 
 Eye upon the Altar of Darknefs, there I was flruck with 
 Pain and Horror ; I beheld nothing there but Shadows^ 
 Clouds and Darknefs ; the Regions crowded with multi- 
 tude of Images, disfigured with frightful and amazing 
 Afpe6ts: There was reprefented Life and Death, endlels 
 Joys and endlefs Pains. 
 
 Upon a nearer View of this Altar of Darknefs, I 
 fancied the Frame of it fhak'd and trembled, which made 
 the Scene appear as a Foundation ere6led upon the Sands } 
 yet the World's Favourites made their Addrefles to it, in 
 expcdiation of receiving Delight and Pleafure, but they 
 were immediately fatiated and went oiFwith Regret. Thus 
 every Generation, Male and Female, take iheir Turns, 
 and make their Court to this Altar of Obfcurity, Mifexy 
 and Death. 
 
 I aflced the Student how he liked this Scene; heanfwer- 
 cd, that there wa«; once a time when he made Court to 
 this Goddcfs; once, fays he, my wandering Thoughts were 
 on thcfe empty Shadows ; then thofe falfe Appearances 
 were my Pleafure, now they are my Averfion : I have 
 turned my Eyes and Thoughts to the Altar of Light, there 
 mv Meditations are fixed and center'd. 
 
 The next Scene prcfented to /v//r, the Student and the 
 Virgin, was this : There appeared on the Stage a gay 
 Youth, flufticd with Wealth, and a religious Votarr, iit 
 a Nun's Drefs ; they obferved each other with a kind of 
 Scorn or Refentment : O ! fays the Youth, you will find 
 yourfelf miferably miilaken in living an auftere Life, (houkl 
 there be no Reward in a future State, which is contrary 
 to my Belief; true, fays the Nun; but what will )rour Con- 
 dition be if there are Regions of Pain? which is my Faith 
 that there is. 
 
 Man, (ays the Nun, is the Image of the Creator, an4 
 is defigned for two different Worlds : The firft Life is (hort 
 and momentary, the fecond lading and endleft. The 
 principal Point, we are all concerned in, is which of thefe 
 two Worlds we make our Choice : The prcfent State is 
 but, as it were, a Span, and the Duration of a few Evening 
 Dreams and Shadows : As for my Part, I will learn to fecure 
 the Region of Light, which is fixed and fettled for ever, 
 Jii PraAice, the generality of Men adhere to the wrong 
 
 Side 
 
C 38 ] 
 
 Side of the Queftion ; they make Choice of the prefent 
 Time, . and caft off all Thoughts of what will be future. 
 
 Here the Nun ftopt ; and there appeared a Perfon, dref- 
 fed in the Habit of a divine Philofopher, mufing within 
 himfelf ; one while he looked upon the Youth, and at ano- 
 ther his Eyes was towards the Nun. 
 
 Says he, I have taken a View of both Worlds; in my 
 Thoughts, I conclude Man to be a Specie of quite different 
 Ends and Purpofes than what he really is; mufl not 1 ima- 
 gine according to his Actions, that he only looks after the 
 PofTeffions of Honour and worldly Grandeur? Mufl not I 
 tfeink that his Duty is only to toil and labour for that which 
 perifhcs ? Mufl not I certainly imagine that he is influenced 
 by a Scheme, quite oppofite to Reafon, and the Rules pre- 
 fcribed in the Laws of Nature ? Truly, according to my 
 Thoughts, he mufl conclude that he is the mofl obflinate 
 Creature in the Univerfc ; and daily keeps in View the 
 End for which his Adlions fecm to point at, viz. A (hort 
 Scence of uninterrupted Vanities, and a Refolution to run 
 the Rifk, at all Adventures, of being lofl and damned for 
 ever. 
 
 The Entertainment concluded with the Sayings of the 
 original Penitent. O, Lord God ! what is my Life in this 
 State of Mirery,but as it were, a continual putting on and 
 pulling off; or an a£ling the fame Part often over. What 
 therefore, can I compare myfelf unto, whilll abiding in 
 this Vale, than to an Infant fprawHng about in the dark 
 and narrow RcccfTes of his Mother's Womb, not knowing 
 whether it goes, drawing near to its Birth he knows not 
 when ; and flaying there awhile, in order to be thrown 
 naked into a Region it kno'ws nothing of : Why even thus 
 it is with me, as to my natural Man, I lie fhifting about, 
 to-and-fro\ in this cloudy and little World, doing I fcarce 
 no what ; looking to be removed hence, 1 cannot tell on 
 what Day, Time or Hour, waiting to be flung bare into 
 an unfeen Being, that as yet I know little off; but Thanks 
 be to thee great jfehovahy it is otherwife with my more 
 noble Part the Soul, for that divine Ray has Liberty, with- 
 out controul, to fetch many a Peep into the light Regions, 
 and refrefh itfelf by holy Contemplations, notwithfbnding 
 its Confinement in this Body of Clay. 
 
 Should my Soul be denied that Freedom, toconverfe 
 with my God, it would be flifled in the Womb of this 
 fufFocating Globe of Earth, before it is delivered hence. O, 
 my Creator ! what makes me talk of this State of Dufl ? 
 fince ten thoufand fuch material Worlds as this would not 
 
[ 39 ] 
 
 be large enough to contain my Soul within their Bounds i 
 for did it not ever and anon fetch a few Breathings, in its 
 own natural Air, the heavenly Kingdom, and take fomc 
 Turns in its native Situation, the Dwellings of immate- 
 rial Spirits, it would languifli with Defpair, The next 
 Scene drawn, prefented a Youth in white Rayment, hold- 
 ing a Palm in one Hand, and a Manufcript in the other, an ^ 
 original Piece j he repeated every Word extemporyy as the 
 Copy run. 
 
 Says the divine Author, as often as I take a Profpe^ of 
 the Creation, I enter into the fathomlefs depth of Infinity, 
 thofe Scenes furnifh my Mind with Variety of Objefb, and 
 prove that there is a Superior that rules over all. I delight 
 to rife early to fee the Earth watered with the Dew of the 
 Morning, how the Chriftal Drops hang on every Blade of 
 Grafs, in the Fields and Meadows : Thefe Thoughts fur- 
 nifti me with a fecret Wonder and profound Awe in thefe 
 Meditations: I fancy myfelf in the Garden oi Eden^ before 
 Eve prevailed with Jdam to eat the forbidden Apple, My 
 Opinion is, that then Paradice out-(hined all the other 
 part of the whole Creation, being in its primitive State of 
 Innocency, but not now to be fcen, fmce the World hath 
 been corrupted, and flained with Degeneracy, Indolence 
 now finks the Soul below itfelf ; its Purfuits are center'd 
 little further than this Period of Time : How few take any 
 Obfervation, or ever read one Line in the whole Volume 
 and Manufcripts that hangs over us, and incompafTes this 
 Globe. In that excellent Book there is painted out fuch 
 variety of Miracles, that may entertain our Thoughts .with 
 Dslight ; the Univcrfe is placed in fuch Order, and there 
 are fuch diverfities of Images to be fccn, that was' Man to 
 live ten Generations, and to fill aPage,clofe written, every 
 Day of his Life, yet thofe vaft numbers of Sheets would 
 not contain one quarter of the Hiflory that may be wrote 
 cf all the Bodies, 13eings and Vegetables, that adorn our 
 vifible World. * 
 
 In fome Inftances the Works of Men are curiqus, and 
 drawn out in fine Threads, both divine and philofophical ; 
 even there we may extraft fine Examples, which may guide 
 our Adtions in many Stages of Life. It is not acquired 
 Parts that always inrich the Mind with Virtue, or give 
 the Thoughts fine Ideas; for without natural Acquirements 
 and divine Gifts, we {hall never attain to thofe Perfe^ions 
 that adorn the Soul of wife and good Men. At the End of 
 this Speech there was a profound Silence, the whole Audience 
 
 feemed 
 
 />>: 
 
.-^^^ i^-^-v-. ,.. ,.■■. . .,-1.^:^...^ ...-^^..^-y^ 
 
 . [ 40 ] 
 
 feemcd to be conveyed from Earth to Glory : Then the . 
 Curtain fell, and the Entertainment concluded^ 
 
 Here ends the firft: Part of />//>, the Student and the 
 Virgin's Journey, from Time to Eternity. The next to be 
 treated of will contain their Conferences with the Collegi- 
 ans ; their Sayings in their lalt Sicknefs, and the Orations^ 
 made at their funeral Obfequies. 
 
 The Subject will be folcmn; fuch as may convey the 
 Meditations of Chriftlansy Jeivs^ Turks y and Pagans^ into, 
 the Confines of Mourning: There you will fee every 
 Scene painted out in the Images of Mortality, fo as you 
 may take a View of the Tombs, there prefented, of the 
 Deceafed, and let fall a Sigh and a Tear, in Memo- 
 ry of your deceafed Anceftors, that havc'already fufFercd 
 all the Diftionours of Corruption, and now deep in the 
 Vaults of the E?rth. Tho' our Spirits refemblc the I- 
 mage of Jefus^ yet it is predeftinated tliat our Flelh an<i 
 Bones muft be the Companion of Worms and Putri- 
 fa<5ion : Our original is Duft, and Duft and Rottcnnefs 
 will be our Portion, before our Bodies fiiall be refined 
 and changed into an immaterial and fpiritual Body. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
Anri 
 
 C 41 J 
 
 The Vi R G I n's Vifion 
 
 H^e frji Night Jhe lay in Abraham's 
 Houfe. 
 
 I Had no fooner drawn my Curtains, and compofed mj 
 Mind to reft, with the pleadng Ideas of my being arri- 
 ved in Canaan from Sodomy but I fencied I was conveyed 
 into an unknown Region ; and paffing away my Time in 
 Company of Myriads of Beings, entertaining each other 
 with Hallelujah's and Songs of Prai fes, I beheld there the 
 infinite Perfc<5lion of the Deity, and faw even created Be- 
 ings moving round the Throne of Jefus. Thus my Specu- 
 lations were raifcd beyond fcnfual Enjoyments. Thefc 
 glorious Sights av/aked me out of my Sleep; but I was im- 
 mediately thrown again into a ftrange Amufement, if I may 
 call it fuch; for I cannot certainly tell what it was, by rea- 
 fon the Sun had been for fome Hours fet, and my Thoughts 
 were wholly taken up on divine Obje<Sls. Be it what it 
 will, I was entertained with fo clear a Profped of an end- 
 Jefs Scene of Worlds, as if I had feen a new Creation of 
 Wonders weaved out to me in the Loom of Nature. I 
 fancied I faw the azure Sky crouded with the fame glorious 
 Lamps, which I had been lately contemplating upon. I 
 was looking very attentively on a Star towards the Eail, 
 when on a fudden there appeared a blazing Light, as if the 
 Element was all of a Flame. Upon its abating, the great 
 Luminary came forth of his private Chamber, with all the 
 Emblems of Beauty about him, fliining in its full Strength, 
 and fpoke to me after a very uncommon manner: I am, 
 fays he, of a pu/cr Subftance than the Earth, and compo- 
 fcd of Particles, which never fwimmed in the Floods that 
 were difperfed about the black Chaos. But upon my bcinz 
 advanced into the unknown Depth of the Firmanent, i 
 was ordered immediately to go to my limited Circuit, 
 where I met, in my firft three Day's Progrefs, Multitudes 
 of Beings juft formed, peeping forth from the dark Womb 
 of Obfcurity in their full Growth, endowed with Scnfe. 
 They all inftantly entered upon Adion, with as much Ex- 
 perience, as if they had been acquainted With the BuQnefi 
 of the World for a whole Age. What with their Diverfi* 
 
 mmnKpmmmmm — -^mmmmm 
 
-""•"fi'TriiiifliTtf - 
 
 [4»1 
 
 ty of Shapes, A^^Ivity and Labour, I faw prcfcntoJ to me 
 an Art more curious than I could irnagine, in the framing of 
 that Part of the Creation wherein they moved. But things of 
 this fort are not the Occafion of my Vifit. There is a vaft 
 Number of Objc£ls lodged in the long Track of Heaven, 
 which you cannot view to any Pcrfe£lion, that have divine 
 LefTons of the fupreme Eflence defcribed on every Part of 
 them. I, who am of a clear Light, can make what Ob- 
 fervations 1 pleafe. I have divided them, and dill open 
 them, and ftill difcover new Wonders of Providence. It 
 may be, you are ftartled at what I fay ; but I muft tell you, 
 that there arc many other fliining Spheres, which I can on- 
 ly difcern at a ifeft Diftance, glimmering like fmall Sparks 
 of Fire afcending upwards; which, if you could fuit your 
 Notions, as I can, to their Dimenfions, you might fee one 
 Apartment within another; and fo proceed fo long as you 
 think fit to continue your Difquifition. If thcfe things ap- 
 pear extravagant and ridiculous, it is becaufe you live remote 
 from fuch Miracles, and your blunt and grofs Organs of 
 Scnfc are not capable of retaining Ideas that come fo near 
 to Perfc^ion. I told him my Mind was filled with fecret 
 Delight, and I could frame prodigious Schemes to myfclf 
 of the large Extent of thofe diftant Worlds ; but I ^ncied 
 I fiiould be laughed at, if I went about to broach fuch O- 
 pinions, as Precepts to be believed by others. Your Re- 
 marks, fays he, are very right ; and I muft allow, that 
 what I fpeak of the mighty Wonders in the upper Regions, 
 only fuits fuch,. who very artfully contraft within the Com- 
 pafs of their Fancies thofe great Olyedh of Admiration, 
 with a Defign to inftil them into the Minds of others by a 
 kind of infenfible Advantage of Inftru6lion. I defired him 
 to furnifl] me with fomething more fuitable to a general 
 Approbation, and fpeak of his own Performances. Youc 
 Reafon tells you, fays he, there is no Trace in the Book 
 of Nature that appears to you, which reprefents a more 
 glorious Figure than myfelf ; tiiough it is ftrange to fee the 
 Clouds and the Rain frequently overfhadowing my flaming 
 Orb, which gives by its Heat and Influence many Creatures 
 their firft Shapes, fo as they come to be fo ftrong and 
 mighty, as to climb up Hills and Trees, and perform the 
 little A&ions of Play and Eating. I (hall pals over men- 
 tioning my bringing forth out of the Earth from Acorns 
 and fmall Seeds, Woods, Fdrcfts, winding Mazes, Beds 
 of painted Fbwers, Gardens of Rofes, and Bowers of 
 Jcflamsnes, entangled over with Amaranths^ and onlv 
 
[45) 
 
 rpeak of two tilings, which arc very cxtriordlnaiy, neither 
 of them having ever fell out above once in my whole Tra* 
 vels. The firlt was my being unexpcibdiy flopped in my 
 Courie ; which was a great Surprize to the Hiilorians, who 
 have very judicioufly fet down that Incident in their largeft 
 Pieces of Antiquity in Capital Letters. The fccond Ob* 
 (bcle, which I mufl not omit, was this, I was forced td 
 go back, and bring again my Shadow, which was gone 
 down ten Decrees on the Dial. My toul Eclipfe, whicft 
 was fo very remarkable, is fo well known, that I (hali 
 fpeak nothing of it, only that I was tiien abalhed, and 
 thought a Star looked down from the Sky on the Earth 
 with a much brighter Luftre than myfelf. As I was*c6*> 
 deavouring to pierce into the utmoil Spaces that had beefl 
 defcribed to me, the pleafing Objc6t veiled itfelf in Dark^ 
 nefs ; I was left alone, and could fee no Appearance in tht 
 Sky of any Being wliatfocver. At laft I heard great mur* 
 muring in the Air, as if there had been many Voices con-^ 
 tending for Precedency ; when on a fudden a rich Sccrie 6f 
 Nature was opcn'd to me, adorn'd with Multitudes of 
 Images, which filled my Mind with a facred Pleafure^ if I 
 may be allowed that ExprefHon. As ibon as I had 
 flrengthen'd my Sight to the utmoft of my Ambition, I hw 
 the Moon, with die reft of the wandering Planets, comft 
 forth of their Houfes, difputing very earneilly, which of 
 them (hould be the Leader of the Company. When they 
 had (bttied that Ceremony, they began to difcourfe mey ill 
 very familiar Terms, about the feveral Produ^ons of Nat* 
 ture, that cannot be difcover'd, by reafon of their vaft Di*- 
 ftance, with the Help of a Telefcope. Your Philofophers 
 fay, they make Difleitions upon human Bodies to fee ho\f 
 they are contrived, and think, when they have unraveU*4 
 that Myftcry, tliey have attained to abundance of Kno^* 
 ledge: But were they to make fuch narrow Infpe6tions in- 
 to the great Number of Obje<5^s that are confined within the 
 Limits of our Circles, they would look upon all they have 
 hitherto found out, to be little trifling Niceties, icarce wor* 
 thy their Obfervation. What you underftand of our mu-» 
 table Revolutions, the diftiiici Stations we belong to, and 
 the particular Signs and Names we are diftinguiftied by, ifc 
 very imperfect, arid many of the Notions are altogether 
 extravagant. There is fomething fo fine and intricate ill 
 the Particles we are compofed of, that would puzzle all our 
 Thoughts to find out the curious Contexture of theitt. I 
 mufl ownj (aid I, that what you fay is more edifying thaa 
 
 iF 2 a Preach" 
 
 . i j i )i ii ^pp,w>,t. iii ia|ii i» wiii.i i^ 
 
[44] 
 
 a Preacher ; yet they are Subjc6^ too nice for ftich as ntvcf 
 framed an Idea of the beautiful Perfe(3ions that lie conceal* 
 ed in the upper Part of the Creation ; which the bare mu* 
 iing upon them, fcts forth to Men of Judgment, the great 
 Wifdom and Art vifiblc in the hidden Secrets of the Infi* 
 nitc Being. They were returning me an Anfwer j but bc-r 
 fore they came to the Conclufion of it, what with the Di- 
 vcrfiiy of Languages, and Variety of Subjefb, which I 
 ifimcied to be very charming, as well as loud, I got up to 
 reach my Pen and Ink to write down feme particular Paf- 
 iages, when unexpectedly I fcund myfelf in my Chamber 
 in jibraham*s Houfe, in the Land of Canaan^ with only a 
 Ru{h Candle burning at the Bed- fide. I called the Servant 
 that lay in the Room, and asked if any Company had 
 been there. Being anfwer*d in the Negative, I was much 
 furprized, bccaufe I thought I had been engaged almoft two 
 Hours in viewing and difcourfing with prodigious Multi- 
 tudes of high-born Beings about very conspicuous Matters. 
 As foon as I was dreflcd, and found out perfe<5tly, that thii 
 was only the Fruits of my natural Fancy, I caft away 
 from me all that was too copious for my Memory to re- 
 tain, and went to colIc6i what Heads might improve my 
 Mnd ; yet I could not believe there was any Seed of Vani- 
 ty in thofe mere Shadows of my Thoughts, which was fo 
 very intricate, as would offend any, who think it the moft 
 agreeable Task imaginable, to be frequently pra£lifing in 
 the retired Studies of Nature, where every Genius is not 
 capable of entering : for the Notions may ferve as Guides 
 to lead divine Minds through both Hemifpheres, diverfified 
 with Suns, Stars, Lamps and Tapers, feated one above ano- 
 ther, and going up to (o prodigious a Heighth, that fcarce 
 all our framed Ideas can reach, or pafs to the End of them. 
 If any of the Periods in this Vifion on the Works of the 
 Creation for confuting Atheifm appear too long, and the 
 Thread of them fpun out fomewhat of the fmallcfl, it will 
 be cfteemed fo by none, but thofe who imagine that they 
 can fee nothing more than Fields of Riddles painted 
 oiit in flrange Colours, or as an Afiembly of Monftert 
 hid in Embrio.. Such Men look upon the Pieces that fUnd 
 fixed in the immenfe TraA of the Heavens through falfe 
 Glafles, that prefcnt every Objc£l walking about in blind 
 pi%ui(es; and take all things of this Nature to be only 
 Crouds of immaterial Shadows, defcribed in new Kind oi 
 FonnBf according to the variable Humours of the Mind. 
 
 miiuLu i j.n i i ,,,, 1 1 J I UJWUI.L, J.J ■ mmmmmmmm mmmsM 
 
C 45 I 
 
 Indigent and 
 humble Chrl/ii- 
 Qm are more ex- 
 cellent than 
 wealthy and 
 proud Sinners, 
 
 Tlje Peafant 
 that plows and 
 harrows in thf 
 Fields^ enjoj^ 
 more Peace than 
 Tyrants encircTd 
 with Diadem$ 
 and Sceptres, . 
 
 The PARABLE, 
 
 Of the Shepherd, Jofhua and Mary, 
 
 Who Ihed in thatched T'enements^ fecluded from 
 T^oife ajid Snares : .Iheir Sayings and ^xern^ 
 plary Lives* 
 
 TH E Day after I had taken my FarewcH of Felix the 
 Student, and the Virgin, I pafled over to an Ifland ; 
 and being a Stranger there, I made myfelf known to a 
 'Gentleman, efteemed for his Virtue and Generofity. He 
 received me with Refpeft, and told mc I might make his 
 Houfe my Home. After we had pafled through (cveral 
 Conferences relating to Abraham^ Houfe in the Land of 
 Canaan ; Sir, (ays he, there are three Pcrfons that live in 
 my Neighbourhood, whom I value for their Knowledge 
 and holy Living ; though I poflefs a plentiful Fortune, and 
 they move in low Spheres, they exceed me in fevcral Scenes 
 of Life. I efteem their Converfation more than that of 
 the learned Rabbies of the Age. I call them- Righteous 
 ycjhuay Zachariah and Mary, Says he, Jojhua rents a little 
 Farm, Zachariah |s a Shepherd, and Mary keeps a SchooL 
 Having heard their Charafters, I was defirous of their Ac- 
 quaintance. It is a fecret Pleafure to mc to converfe with 
 j^cefe ai)4 t>u^(ilc Chriillans, though their Fortunes are 
 
[46] 
 
 mean. I went firft to Jojhua-, he had a Wife and throe 
 Ciiildren. My Vifit to him was on the Sabbath-day, in 
 the Morning. When I came, he was reading to his Fa- 
 mily out of that excellent Parable, the Book oijob ; then 
 he retir'd to Prayer, fung a Pfalm, and went to Church. 
 I attended him to the holy Temple to obferve his Demeanor, 
 which was devout and ferious : He folemnized every Mo- 
 ment in fo decent a manner, that it afFeded my Soul. I 
 returned with him to his thatched Houfe, and partook of 
 what Nature had allotted for that Day's Rcpaft, which was 
 only a little Pottage, and Barley-Bread ; the Drink not 
 much better than fair Water. Though his Table was 
 thus meanly fprcad, he fat down with great Ccnteiit ; and 
 after he had cat his Morfcl, he faid Grace, and read two 
 Chapters in Ecclefiafles : then he and his Family went to 
 perform the remaining Duties of publick Worftiip ; which 
 he did with an awful Refpc£l and refolved Obedience to the 
 faving Truths then delivered. When Sermon was over, 
 he put up a fhort Ejaculation, and returned home, faluted 
 all he met with a chearful Countenance. At his Entrance 
 into his Cottage he made the following Prayer. 
 
 OjfefuSy what Reafon have w: U rejoice and pratfe thy 
 holy Namsy who hath vouchfafd to honour us this blejfed 
 Sahhaih with thy more immediaU Prefencc : A Favour that 
 ought to he deeply engraven on cur ThoughtSy fo as to infiuenct 
 the Actions of cur Life^ and raife a Scene of thy divine Mer^ 
 Cfy fo as never to offend agauu 
 
 Thus Jofhua pafTed on from one Exercife to another for 
 near two Hours j then he walked into his little Plat, fet 
 with Cabbages and Pot-herbs. I talked with him there on 
 the Works of Nature and Providence : after which he went 
 in, and expounded upon the Texts of Scripture treated up- 
 on that Day. Near the going down of the Sun, he con- 
 cluded the Evening Exercife in thefe Expreflions: * O 
 
 • Thou Eternal and High God that reigns in endlefs Ages, 
 
 • we poor Peafants, the Vaflals of an earthly Lord, are 
 « come, at the Clofe of the Sabbath, to pour out our Souls 
 « to thee with due Reverence and Humility. We believe 
 
 • that tlirough the Merits of Chrift*s Blood our Pardon will 
 
 • be fealed in Glory before we remove out of this Tent of 
 
 • Clay. O great Jehovah, condefccnd fo far as to give 
 « ear to the unlearned Petitions of us frail, defpicable Mor- 
 > tals: aFgnoily that are no more regarded by the ric|i 
 
 ^ * Divti^i 
 
[47] . 
 
 f Dives's of the World, than a few lowly Drakes by the 
 ^ haughty Swans of the Meadows, that take little notice of 
 ' any other fcather'd Fowls but thofe of their own Tribe, 
 ' dreiTed in the fame ihining Array. The Cafe is far 
 ' otherwife with thee, O thou eternal Fountain of Light. 
 ' Thou badft much j^ther look down with an Eye of 
 ' Mercy on a few mortified Chriftians cloathed in plaia 
 ' Apparel, than on a Company of imperious Sinners adom- 
 
 * cd with Purple and fine Linnen. 
 
 * On this Account we are embolden'd reverently to faQ 
 
 * down at the Footftool of thy Throne, preferring thy di- 
 
 * vine Favour before the Smiles of the Great. Here we 
 
 * are, where no Eyes fee, nor Ears hear, but thou the 
 
 * Great Being ; we befeech thee to anfwcr the Supplicati- 
 
 * ons we now put up : let them ever be rcceiv*d as a fuffi- 
 ' cient Sacrifice. 
 
 * Caft us not away from thy Prefence, nor ever take 
 
 * thy Holy Spirit from us. Revive our Souls with the 
 
 * Pledges of thy Love ; raife our Thoughts beyond carnal 
 
 * Defircs ; let not Sin interrupt our fpiritual Flight towards 
 
 * Sicriy but increafc our Contemplations on thy Excellen- 
 
 * cies. It is but a ihort Space, and all Winter Storms will 
 
 * be laid, the long and tedious Nights will then end, and we . 
 
 * (hall awake to the Dawn of a glorious Refurre£tion. A 
 
 * Day, that never will be obfciir'd by Clouds of Darkneft; 
 
 * a Morn, in which we (hall (hine brighter than the Rays 
 
 * ofa material Sun at its meridian Height. Send dowa^ 
 
 * we moft humbly befeech thee, a chofen Guard of thy 
 
 * heavenly Hoft to watch round about this our obfcure Ha- 
 
 * bitation, till the Light of another Day appears beyond the 
 
 * ftirther Hills, or the Cocks begin to fend forth their early 
 
 * Strains to raife our fleepy Souls, and rouze up our drow(jr 
 
 * Bodies, in order to pour out our early Petitions to Hea- 
 
 * Yen, and then go out of this Cottage to our daily La- 
 « hour.' 
 
 Whcnjojhua had ended this Prayer, he and his FamUjr 
 retir'd to reft ; and early in tiie Morning tliey arofe, ana 
 after fome fhort Ejaculations went into the Field to labour 
 Thus. 5^^//5 fpent his Sabbath, and the enfuingWeck> in 
 performing the Duties of Chriftianity and Indufiry. Such 
 bufy Labourers live in Silence, are fecluded from the Con- 
 verfation of wealthy and obftinate Sinners. 'Jojhua^ at the 
 End of his Pilgrimage, wound up his Time in taking leave 
 of the World : He told his Wife and Children he was going 
 to M a Victim to the Summons of Death. 
 
 The 
 
',^^ »^--;.,>.,-v.i...^»»..^^..-^>i^»^:|.^ 
 
 I 48 3 
 
 r The Almighty requires no more of me than what I re* 
 ceived. I have fcrved him to the utmoft of my Ability. I 
 need not repeat how averfe I have been from living in So- 
 dorrty where the Spots of Guilt might have overfpread mjr 
 Soul as a malignant Leprofy, and plunged it in the unfa* 
 thomcd Gulph of Defpair. I blefs his Name, that 1 was 
 never inrolled in the Regiftcr of the Wife, nor number**! 
 amongft the Learned. How much more eafy is it for me, 
 now in my laft Moments, to refign my Breath in a fmall 
 Cottage on a Flock-bed, with a Mind free from Blame, at- 
 tended with a virtuous Spoufe and inofFenfive Offspring, 
 than to give up the Ghoft on a Down-pillow with a pol- 
 luted Soul, furrounded by an imperious Concubine, and her 
 fpurious Brood, that never learnt the Science of living holy. 
 Happy Day when I came to this Habitation, encompaffed 
 with a few Acres of Land. Here I have been free from 
 die outrageous Tranfports of unruly Paflions, and the Baits 
 of Vice. 
 
 In this Retreat no Wantons have tempted our Hearts to 
 Lewdncfs, nor reeling Sots to drown us in Bowls of intoxi* 
 eating Liquors ; no crafty Knaves to fiiew us the Arts of 
 Deceit, nor perjur*d Rakes to drill us into pernicious Snares; 
 no ftately Palaces ia our Neighbourhood, to bring a Dif- 
 gracc on my little Houfe ; neither have gilded Gwriots run 
 by our Door, to demand Acclamations to a vain Lump of 
 Mortality ; no Stage-Players to divert our Thoughts to Sin, 
 nor filly Toys to withdraw our Souls from divine Contem- 
 plations ; no Drums to beat for Volunteers, nor roaring 
 Caimons to difturb our Peace ; no Siege laid againft our 
 Fort, nor Batteries raifed to beat it down ; no Robbers to 
 lifle our little Wardrobe, nor Licendiarics to burn my wi- 
 thy Chair of State; neither have there been any dillblute 
 Libertines to tempt the Wife of my Bofom to Lewdncfs, 
 nor to decoy the Daughter of my Youth. 
 
 Thus have we pafl'ed through the feveral Stages of Life 
 with an inward Satisfaction of Mind, and have fairly efca* 
 ped the dangerous Snares of Folly ; and now, by the un- 
 alterable Decree of God, I am going to leave the World, 
 and part with you, my Wife and Children. The Gain is 
 great to me, to exchange a few Roods of Land for an cver- 
 iafting Inheritance ; a Cottage of Earth, for a magnificent 
 Palace ; a hard Bed, for a foft Couch of Rofes ; a Nurfery 
 of Weeds, for the Garden of Life; a Vale of Mifery, for 
 a Region of GIpry, 
 
 Now 
 
■ ^U■■.■.:^...,i...«aaLi^fe^^:^:^^^^^■:;..-^...,,.■^,/-.. ■^■v-.i/-^ 
 
 [49] 
 
 Kow I addrcfs myfelf to you, my dear Spoufe and little 
 Flock : Let no Tears diftil from your Eyes, nor Sorrow 
 from your Hearts: Lament not the Lofs of me, neither 
 lake any unneceilary Thought for to-morrow, what ye /hall 
 fat, or what yejhall drinky cr wherewithal ye Jhall he cloath-- 
 €d. View the Lillies that are growing in my iittlc Clofe, 
 and obferve the providential Care that is apparently over 
 thofe gaudy Flowers which fpread themfelves in the Val- 
 leys ; then how much rather will the Almighty cloaih you^ O 
 ye (f little Faith. 
 
 Have Patience but a while, and you will meet with the 
 fame God of A^ercies, when my Head is laid in the Duft, 
 as if 1 ftill continued with you. He that hath hitherto 
 provided Bread, will never let you want it when I am 
 gone. Call to mind the noble Example of the Heroe, 
 who took little Care for the future, but diftributed his large 
 Portion to the Ufe of the Poor, till nothing was left but 
 two finall Pieces of Silver, for the prefent Maintenance of 
 himfelf and Family : infomuch that this excellent Perfon, 
 fitting alone on a certain Day near a Grove, took upon 
 him to plead with the Almighty after the following man- 
 ner: 
 
 ' O Thou Eternal King of Heaven and Earth, I in- 
 
 * truftcd thee with all my PofleiTions, bccaufe thou halt 
 
 * promifed that the Righteous Jhall never befcrfaken^ nor his 
 
 * Seed beg their Bread, It is exprefied in thy facred Word, , 
 
 * He that hath pity upon the Poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and 
 
 * what he layeth out, it Jhall he paid him again : and, Blef- 
 
 * Jed he the Man that provideth for the Sick and Needy ^ the 
 
 * Lord Jhall deliver him in the time of Trouble, Now I 
 
 * befeech thee, O Jefus, to make good thefe Promifes to 
 
 * me in this my greateft NecefTity, cfpecially flnce my 
 
 * Faith is fo ftrong as to believe them without the Icaft 
 « Miftruft/ 
 
 The difconfolate Gentleman having fat a while under 
 Covert of the fhady Bower, returned to his Houfe j and 
 after a little communing between God and his own Soul, 
 jie heard a Noife in an adjacent Field, and looking out d[ 
 his Window, difcovefd two Men fcuffling together s 
 whereupon he went out to know the Rcafon of fuch a Con- 
 teft, and ufed Arguments to perfuade them to be reconcird, 
 and not to fall out by the way : But his Chriilian Advice 
 was rejeded, till the two Combatants fought fo long, as to 
 Jbc.forced to demand time of each other to recover Breath \ 
 and then they acquainted him with the Occailon of their 
 t . . G • Quvrcl; 
 
[5ol 
 
 Quarrel : That they had found a fort of precious Stone, 
 and could not agree who fhould carry it off, as being 
 Strangers one to the other ; but if he would purchafc it, 
 they might eafily divide the Spoil. The good Man rcply'd, 
 'Tw^ much to be fear*d it would be of no Value to him ; 
 ?nd that he had but two Pieces of Silver remaining in the 
 World, out of all his Revenues, to buy Bread for his Fa- 
 mily : neverthclefs, rather than there fliould be any further 
 Contention between them, he would give them his whole 
 Stocks; which they readily accepted of, and parted good 
 Friends. Then the Gentleman fhcwed the Stone to a La- 
 pidary, who told him it was a valuable Jewel ; infomuch 
 that it brought him great Riches, and by that means received 
 ten-fold for what he had ever beftow'd in charitable Ufes. 
 
 Now let me intrcat you, my Wife and Children, to 
 arm yourfelves with the fame Faith ; and then the Almigh- 
 ty will provide for you by fome Means or other, though 
 not after fo wonderful a manner, and in fo great Plenty, 
 yet fo far as may be fufficient to fupply your craving Wants ; 
 and at lafl you (hall not foil in your Hope of receiving the 
 valuable Pearl of inert imablc Price, referved for your Ufe 
 in the everlafting Kingdom. Now I recommend you to 
 the Care and Prott£lion of Jefus, not doubting in the leaft 
 but he will be a provident Husband, to wipe away all bri- 
 ni(h Tears from the Eyes of a difconfolate Widow, and an 
 indulgent Guardian to the fatherlefs Children. I have nei- 
 ther Wealth nor Honours to leave; but this I bequeath to 
 you, That you be faithful to Death, always abounding in 
 good Works, loving one another, depending entirely on 
 the Divine VVill in all Changes and Chances of this tnorul 
 Stote. - 
 
 Let me conjure you, as you tender your own Peace, the 
 Requefl of a dying Husband, and the Bleffing of a Father, 
 never leave this Retirement to go to Sodom ; but keep a 
 tlofe Correfpondence with the moft High in this your fix*d 
 Habitation, labouring with your Hands as long as bodily 
 Strength continues ; and when that fails, then throw your 
 .fclves into the Arms of Providence, and you will meet 
 with a timely Supply when it is leaft cxpe£^ed. Have no 
 Regard to the Splendor of this World, nor envy the Pro- 
 fperity of Sinners. Implant in your Minds a Belief, that 
 we (ball in due time meet again in the Regions above, there 
 to fmg the Praifes of a high God, and hear the Hallelujahs 
 of Angels to eternal Ages. Now I bid farewell to this 
 vain, fhort, and frivolous Life: I bid fkrcwcU to Wife and 
 Childitn : 1 bid all a fin^ adicu« Tbf 
 
 1 1 1 . 1 11 jL.ji.j i i.tL ii ai.n.4* 
 
itif' i\ iTiiUftitiiirii- ■III ■ miiiiiiff iBJii '■ 
 
 [5i] 
 
 5' 
 
 The following Piece is a Copy of a Writing found fa 
 yo/bua*s little Box after his Deceafe. The Lines are woi- 
 thy of Notice, becaufe their Original are deriv'd from a 
 poor Farmer, deftitute of acquired Parts, but endowed with 
 a natural Genius. The Contents of the Manufcript run in 
 a fine Thread of Thought, and exalted Ideas, ♦ Jf^ fays 
 
 * he, thefe Beings that I behold with my Eye are formed 
 
 * out of a rude Chaos, from what Original did it derive its 
 
 * Exiftcnce? Was it by the Finger of an eternal Spirit, or 
 
 * the gathering together of rude Matter out of an Abyfs of 
 
 * nothing ? Are there any Limits or Spaces between Finite 
 
 * and Infinite? Can Man's Thought reach the facred Coun- 
 
 * cil of the undivided Trinity ? Can his Wifdom find out 
 
 * what that infinite Being is now doing, and will bring ta 
 
 * pafs in future Ages ? Doth not every Generation bring 
 
 < forth uncommon and Grange Births ? Is not Nature al- 
 
 * ways a teeming with new Changes and Alterations, that 
 
 * no Power can create, or even fathom, but God ? What 
 
 * is higher than the original Creator, and what is wilder 
 
 * than the Ideas of Man? What is fo perfeft as that Spirit, 
 
 * which ever did, and ever will, rule in the vaft ar4 
 
 * boundlefs Circles ? When I look at yonder Firmament in 
 
 * a glorious and bright Day, or in a clear Night, and feo 
 
 * the Orbs, I am ftruck with a profound Awe. Thofe 
 
 * Sights fink me into Admiration, and confirm my Faith. 
 
 * Amazing Thoughts 1 to confider that this created Earth 
 
 * (hould undergo, as it were, an Eclipfe every twenty-four 
 
 * Hours, and then afTume again all its Luftre and Beauty, 
 
 < I fee every Evening the Face of the Earth veiled with 
 
 * Darknefs. There I behold an invifible Mind, that in- 
 
 * fpires my Thoughts with the ftrongeft Ideas, that thero 
 
 * is an Almighty Exiftence in the leaft trifling Obje^ that 
 
 * appears to our View, either in the Earth, iix the Sea, Oj? 
 
 < in the Air. 
 
 * To enrich my Soul, I have frequently carry *d my 
 
 * Conceptions further than all this. I have nicely enquir*d 
 « into the VVifdom of Nature, and arofc early in the 
 
 * Morning before any glimmering Light appeared on tbQ 
 
 * Mountains, except it was here and there a bright wander-^ 
 
 * ing Star. In this high Flight I have afcended to the Top, 
 « of a Hill, and there obferv'd the Darknefs gently difper* 
 
 * fing itfelf from the Weftern Pole, and giving way to th«^ 
 
 * Dawn of the Eaftern Light, that diffufes its Beams by 
 
 * degrees, till it had difpers'd all the Mifls and Clouds of tb<5 
 
 * fable Night into a clear and glorious Morning. Thus,^ 
 
[52] 
 
 f by viewing this vifible World, and obferving how Na- 
 
 * tune undreiies hcrfelf in the Habit of Silence, and repre- 
 
 * fents the Image of Death ; this tells me, that the whole 
 
 * Creation muft die as well as Alan, and be reduced to its 
 
 * primitive Nothing. I frequently furnifli*d my Mind with 
 
 * Points ftill more fubJime; for wlien I awake, and behold 
 
 * a bright and clear Morn, I am afTur'd that Men, the 
 
 * Image of the Deity, will be called out of tlieir feparatc 
 
 * Tombs and Sepulchres, and rife to a bright, or a gloomy 
 « Refurreaion.' 
 
 Th\isJo/hua hath left to fuccceding Ages, his Thoughts 
 of the World's funeral Obfequies, and the Immortality of 
 the Soul ; the Virtuous to a State of Joy, and tlic Rtvcrfc 
 to Agonies and Defpair. 
 
 The 
 
 '^immfW'ff^imimim 
 
[53] 
 
 The PARABLE 
 
 Of Z A c H A R I A H thz , Shepherd. 
 
 AF T E R I had attended Jcfhuah Funeral, and wrote 
 his Elegy, I made a Vint to Zachariahj as he was 
 tending^ his Flock upon the Common. At firft Sight I 
 faw fomething in his Afpeft, that bcfpoke him both Wife . 
 and Divine, I fat down, and asked him fcveral Queftions 
 as to his way of living, and how he fjcLt the many vacant 
 Days by himfelf. Alas, Sir, fays he, though I h*vc in a 
 Cottage, am mean in Apparel, fare and lodge hard ; yet 
 my God hath inftru£ted me how to employ my Icifure 
 Hours and vacant Minutes. I converfe with Bodies of a 
 high Order; they enrich my Soul, There I view (he vi- 
 fible Beings to Perfe6Uon ; the Sun, the Moon, and the 
 Stars, thofe Luminaries fiand one above another, and ap- 
 pear to me in beautiful Colours: Scenes that entertain my 
 Mind on the Divine Energy. What, fays he, can be 
 more rcfin'd, than to furvey thofe Lights that difcover fo 
 many Beings rai^ged in a curious and regular Order ? The 
 Planets walk in their Brightnefs, and take their Prog reft 
 appointed them : they never exceed their Bounds, but keep 
 a fix'd, ftated, and perpetual Motion. 
 
 I told the Shepherd, he argu'd as one infpir'd. The 
 Points he mentioned to me, had perfectly cleared up what 
 had occafion'd many Difputes and Controverfles amongft 
 the learned Aftronomers; and yet even after many Gene- 
 rations that are paft, they are ftill as much in the Shades of 
 Ignorance as ever. The Wifeft, in my Opinion, never 
 difcourfed more excellently upon thefc Subjects than he had 
 done. The Images that you have drawn, fays I, I confl* 
 der as nice Ideas, fcarce to be found in any Hillory either 
 in former or latter Times. 
 
 I told him, when I refleded on what he related of the 
 heavenly Bodie*:, I queftion*d whether the greatcft Capacity 
 is capable of coming fo near his Speculations on the Works 
 of God. No fooner had I thus delivered my Thoughts, 
 but he went on with the Thread of his Difcourfc. Says 
 he, the Frame of the Creation is of fuch vaft Extent, and 
 there are in it to appearance fo many Worlds, that the 
 Glob^, ia which we live, J t4ke.to bp but as it were a 
 
 iinall 
 
 "m 
 
■'ir^tiin^iiit'-tfMiiiiiirit-iiii-'itiiiii'iiri 
 
 t54l 
 
 fmall Point, in Comparifon to all thofe vaft Territories. 
 Only confider what a Multitude of them we can obfcrvc 
 with the naked Eye, befides others by the Help of a Tele- 
 fcope ; and yet what vaft Numbers are there out of Sight, 
 that rife one above another, not to be viewed by any In- 
 llrument yet invented. 
 
 I told the Shepherd my Thoughts were, that every one 
 of thofe Worlds had its Bounds fet ; and that there was not 
 the leaft Obje6l in the Firmament, but what was dire£led 
 by an unerring Hand : which proves to me, that not one of 
 thofe high Orders were made for no Ufe, or fland as Cy- 
 phers. Such a Thought, in my Opinion, would eclipfe the . 
 Wifdom of an Infinite Being, and charge him with crea- 
 ting Works for no End or Purpofe whatfoever. 
 
 Says the Shepherd, I often lofe myfelf in the Variety of 
 Beings that I behold even in xhis our little Globe ; but how 
 much more, when I look up and furvey what I fee and can 
 conceive in yonder ftarry Regions. In this imperfetSl State 
 we can never attain to the full Knowledge of things ; for 
 if we give a right Judgment in fome Points, we are wrong 
 in others. But thefe Mifts will be difpers*d, and we ftiaU 
 come to a clearer and more extenfive Comprehenfion, when 
 our corruptible Bodies are undrefs*d, and fpiritually purify*d 
 in the Morning of the Refurredion. The Sphere in which 
 we (hall then move and a£l, will be of a much wider Cir- 
 cumference, and we (hall know as the Angels that furround 
 the celeftial Throne. Thus far we already know, that all 
 thefe things difcover the Attributes and Power of God in this 
 vifible Creation, and in thofe Regions where God now 
 dwells in Light inacccflible. 
 
 I told the Shepherd, I thought the Creation, of which 
 our Earth is a Part, is confin'd to certain Limits ; but the 
 Sphere in which we move, and a(5^, and underftand, arc 
 not limited : for we can reach by Thoughts far beyond all 
 created Beings, and even take a diftant Look into the invi- 
 fible Orbs, whofe Extent can never be meafur'd, even by 
 the Angels themfelves. Duration is a Space of Time, that 
 look we ever fo far back, we never can reach the Begin- 
 ning of it, nor find a Period with all our Speculations. The 
 Eflence of Divine Exiftence is of too wide a Nature to be 
 jneafur'd by any created or uncreated Beings : Only the 
 facred and holy Trinity in Unity is a Being, whofe Cinter 
 is every where, and its Circumference without Limits. 
 
 I told him, that (hould all the immortal Spirits above 
 traverfe for Millions and Millions of Ages, yet even they 
 
 could 
 
issl 
 
 could never reach to the Immenfitj^ of divine Power: And 
 as for mortal Man, whofe firft Original ij Du&y he muA 
 never afpire to fpan the Length of Eternity. 
 
 Says the Shepherd, Since we are upon the Subjc6^ of 
 created and uncreated Beings, at Times when my Flocks 
 are folded in the Pens, I go out into the Koad, and con- 
 vcrfe with Travellers that have leifure Hour^ to fpare. The 
 other Day one came to my Cottage } he entertained mt 
 with Variety of odd Subjefts. Whether he had been in 
 Company with Men, who converfe with invifible Beings, 
 or in an unbodied State, I know not. He was at that 
 time on vtry abftrufc Points, and feem'd eager to carry my 
 Thoughts into the Center of the Chaos, before rude Matter 
 was regulated. Which at firft a little furpriz'd me ; but 
 when he began to difpute fo excellently upon tlie Original 
 of the Creation, that he gave me very fine Thoughts of the 
 Nature and Caufe of perpetual Motion, I was much ta- 
 ken with his wonderful Genius. We enter'd into Debate 
 of Difcoveries too fine for Perfons, whofe Senfes are only 
 ftruck with Defcriptions of what is common. He- namol 
 two of the beft Judges we have in our publick Schools of 
 Sciences, who can Icarch into human Secrets with fuch 
 Nicety, that there is a certain Sublimity of Soul which 
 fhines through all their Works, and befpeaks them not only 
 good Philofophers, but even infpir'd with all the curious 
 Dictates of Divine Principles, fuch as none but wife aod 
 thinking Men are capable of comprehending. 
 
 The Shepherd told me, this Conference with the Stranger 
 made fo deep an Impreflion on his Mind, that he (hut him- 
 felf into his thatched Cottage the remaining Part of the 
 Day, with an Intent to take no other Refrefliment than 
 the Ufe of Pen, Ink, and Paper, to minute down Ibmc 
 
 f.rticular Points ; but an unufual Drowfinefs feized him. 
 was forc'd, fays the Shepherd, to lean back in my with/ 
 Chair, and allow myfelf a (hort Repofe: which was very 
 much broken ; for between fleeping and waking, I fancy'd 
 the Earth presented herfelf to my View, drefied in all the 
 gay Colours which (he wears in the Spring ; and made a 
 Motion, as if fhe was defirous to deliver fomething of Mor 
 ment to me. This ftrange Vifion, or Trance, foon awak*d 
 me, and put me upon writing down in Chara^ers, fonte 
 particular Notes by way of Memorandum ; which I did 
 with incredible Swiftnefs and £xa<5lnefs. 1 had no fooner 
 finifhed that Work, which did not take up ten Minutes^ 
 but I was again thrown into a fort of an Amufemeot or 
 
 Slumber. 
 
Tr-'^'r-'iTaiiiiitiiii 
 
 [56] 
 
 Slumber. I thought the fame Apparition came a tecotii 
 time, and ftem'd to frown upon me, becaufe I took fo ht- 
 tie Notice of her, when fbe had obh'gM me with a fort of 
 an unufual Vifit, which (he had never yet made to any of 
 her grcateft Favourites. Upon excufing my Rudencfs for 
 running away fo quickly, fhe turned her(elf towards me, 
 and in a very eloquent Stile gave me an Account of her firft 
 Original and Birth ; of her being brought forth, about five 
 thoufand fcvcn hundred Years ago, in a moft wonderful 
 manner. She told me how ihe was fram*d in the Womb 
 of tlie rude and black Chaos, amidft a Heap of Confufion ; .^ 
 and how ihe came to break through the Bars of that dark ' 
 Dungeon in which her fcattcr'd Particles were confined, 
 and by what Means ihe fhot forth into a freffi Region ; how 
 her Parts were brought to their perfect Shape ; how (he 
 proceeded every Minute in her fenfible Growth ; how her 
 Subftancc was recciv*d and diftributed to every Quarter in 
 her obfcure Prifon; how Fire, Earth, Air and Water 
 were order'd to their feveral Stations with an agreeable Sy- 
 metry; and how they placed themfelves in their diftant 
 Chambers, according to their refpeftive Levity and Gravi- 
 ty ; how ftri(5l an Alliance was made between them ; and 
 Ik)w at laft fhc came to afTume all her Light and Beauty. 
 
 I was not, faid ihe, formed out of Atoms, or jumbled 
 together with Confufion. The Air, the Water, and the 
 Earth were not fprcad all over the Chaos; one Part did not 
 oppofe another : the Cold and Heat, Moifture and Drinefs, 
 Lightnefs and Ponderofity, did not ftruggle one with ano- 
 ther, in one and the fame Body, all over the vaft Extent 
 of rude Matter. An invifible Power made us all ; and as 
 foon as we were form'd, we did, like the eldeft and young- 
 eft Brothers and Sifters, take the particular Places affign*d 
 us, without the leaft Controverfy or Jarring. She told me, 
 that without the mutual Correfpondence of a d liferent Sex, 
 Ihe conceived within her Bowels all living Creatures, and 
 had ever fince been very fruitful in bringing forth new Ge- 
 nerations every Year. She faid (he had remain'd to this 
 Day, unde/the Protection of her great Archite(Sl, without 
 any fenfibic Decay in her Strength and Nature, though fhe 
 had undergone many Revolutions, and been often made to 
 tremble with the Shocks of an unforefeen Enemy, who 
 fteals unawares into the hollow Caverns of her marvellous 
 Edifice. After (he had ended her Speech, (he vanifti'd out 
 of Sight ; which brought me out of my Vifion, or Dream. 
 By this time the Sun was fet, the ufual Hour o( my reti« 
 
 ring 
 
 t 
 
II 1 ' -riMiiiliiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiaii^^ r i - 1 r ii ntiiiiriiiH" ti rmfiivmr '"'n**^ 
 
 ^' 
 
 t57) 
 
 ring to reft. However, I looked over my Chapters tliat 
 were left unfinifh'd : But all that fort of Bufmefs was en- 
 tirely laid afidc. I was full of Plots and Schemes of a new 
 Model ; and led from one Scene of Variety to another, 
 till I came to pry into a certain Abyfs of Secrets, where 
 there is one Miracle plac*d by another, and the feaft that 
 reaches our Ideas is very confiderable. VVhilft I was taking 
 a Survey of thofe Rarities, though they appeared (b very 
 furprizing and intricate, yet I could not but look upon 1117 
 felf to be in the higheft Circles of Reafon, where the Laws 
 of infinite Wifdom are confpicuous. When my Mind came 
 off from thofe high Notions, I refleifled, that it is no wonder 
 there are fo few Dlfcourfes extant, which treat of Myriads 
 of Beings that hang within the Curtains of the Univcrfc, 
 when Men of the nicefl Speculations confine themfelvcs as 
 Prifoners either to their Books, or the Town. Grave An- 
 tiquaries are feldom feen, in our Days, taking Draughts 
 from the firft original Copies ; altho* every Piece is a little 
 Library, filPd with Variety of Treatifes, and a fmall Rc- 
 pofitory crouded with admirable Rarities. Artificial Mo- 
 dels only give an imperfcii Rcfcmblance of thincs in cloud- 
 ed Colours ; but ColIe£lions pcncil'd out by the Deity, de- 
 fcribe the natural Beauty and Deformity of what they re- 
 prefent. In that great Volume of Nature we fee feveral 
 Cuts and Infcriptions in every Page very finely done, 
 which afford Variety of Matter. 1 have looked into this 
 large Folio after the Summer-Q^iarter has drawn a thin Veil 
 over the Spring, and (hut up in Obfcurity Millions of plea- 
 fing Images; yet there remained ten thoufand Pieces, each 
 of which gave mc a very pleafing ProfpetH. At other 
 times, when I have been attending my Flock upon th© 
 Common, when the Winter had let drop her thick Sheet^ 
 and veird from the Eye the Harveft and the fruitful Seafon, 
 I have been charm'd in looking even into that Apartment, 
 (haded with Clouds and Mifts ; and tho' I thought not to 
 fpend three Moments, I have ftudied there the beft Part of 
 a Night before I could ftir from thence. Books I think 
 dead Letters to thofe fair Manufcripts; for every Root that 
 lies buried in the Earth is a large Copy, that offers to the 
 Thoughts curious Notions. "A Stone, or a Pebble, is not 
 without a diftinguifliing Mark from its neareft Neighbour. 
 Each of them bcompofed of a finer or coarfer Matter, of 
 a more beautiful or deformed Shape, or fomething clfc that 
 is particular ; which cither allov/s a Preface to be made, or 
 gives an EplAle of its own Curiofity. Every trifling thing - 
 
 H i% 
 
MMii 
 
 t58] 
 
 is painted out in the ftrongeft and liveliefl Colours. There 
 is no need of a Pencil to regiltcr any of the Works of Pro- 
 vidence : They are very perfedlly done to our Hands. The 
 Defcriptions we fee upon an Apple, or a Nut,^afFord us 
 Subje^ of Difcourfe as long as a Lawyer is in delivering a 
 Plea. A Sloe, or a Haw, gives us a (hort Hiftory of its 
 Growth, and the inevitable Danger it runs of being defa- 
 ced and eaten up by the devouring Birds or Worms. What 
 is imprinted on a Nettle, or a Daizy, is admirable; their 
 Leaves are interwoven with fine Strings of different Size ; 
 and that Part which faces the Sky, is more fmooth than 
 the lower Side, which looks down towards the Earth. I 
 had no fooner flrcngthen'd my Sight, fo as to make it 
 pierce into the moft remote Spaces, to take another View 
 of thofe Scenes that difplay diflant Beings, but all my fub* 
 lime Speculations were dafh'd at once ; Travellers came by, 
 and cntcr'd into Difcourfe with me. I told them the Pre- 
 judice they did me was irreparable, by coming at an Hour 
 when I had Juft received fuch new Ideas of things, as would 
 have been Proof againft Sword, Fire, Thunder, and the 
 Injuries of Time ; for I was forming in my Mind one of 
 the fairefl Schemes in the Univerfe, which would have rc- 
 prefented many great and fmall Bodies moving in their na- 
 tural Spheres. Nothing, faid I, was clearly or more intel- 
 ligibly contriv*d : It would have been a Map for defcribing 
 what is penciird out in the minutcfl Particles, as well as in 
 the largefl Figures ; but now I fear they will find it come 
 forth an incoherent Piece, more frightful than the Chaos 
 that the Earth told me (he was tumbled out of. For it is 
 impoilible to copy it out in its firft original Luflre, after 
 fuch an Interruption j as it would be furprizing and won- 
 derful to fee a Child, by running a Pencil upon a Piece of 
 Paper according to his little Humour, draw a Pidure of 
 Cafary as good and as like as the befl that ever Michael 
 Jngelo could do. The Travellers faid, they were forry 
 that they had hinder'd me from immortalizing a Shepherd's 
 Name, by utterly ruining the Beauty of his Models ; yet 
 they wanted to know when they received their Birth, fo as 
 they might fee the rough Draughts that now lie hid in the 
 Embryo, which I pleaded they had defac'd. After my 
 Quefh were gone, I laid myfeif down on my Flock-bed, 
 much vexed at my Difappointment ; but with a flrong Im- 
 pre/Eon upon my Spirits, as to what I had been taking a 
 Survey of. The bare Remembrance of the (hort LefTons I 
 found wrote upon the Blades of Qrafs, plung'd me a^a 
 
 .. int<» 
 
ftiiiii iiiiiirriniiiitiiiMi n im mtlm^mitmmmitmiiMitimiim 
 
 C 59 ] 
 
 Into an Immenfity of deep Thoughts, about what was fur* 
 ther to be obfcTv'd in the moft ordinary Manufcripts of 
 Nature : for the fine Draughts I had form'd in my Ideas 
 were now entirely broke to pieces. Thefc Reflexion* 
 threw mc infenfibly into a moft unaccountable Revery, 
 that cannot properly be called, a Repofc, or a Senfation. 
 However it was, I fancy *d I was entertain'd with the fol- 
 lowing Difcouric, without feeing any Perfon ftanding \)y 
 me. When I got up in the Morning, it dwelt fo ftrorg 
 upon mc, that 1 wrote down tJie Subftance of it as pcrfeft- 
 ly, as my Memory was capable of retaining ; and (if I am 
 not miftaken) thele arc the particular Sentences. If (faid 
 he) you can be fo tranfporied, in gazing on every mean and 
 trifling Object that appears plainly difcover'd to you ; how 
 great would your Surprize be, if you were to know the cu- 
 rious Contextures of every Secret that lies hid in the deep 
 Ocean, and is not in the Power of the Eye to model ? And 
 befides, was you to behold thofe Ranges of Myfteries which 
 run through the Veins of the Earth, that all human Skill is 
 by infinite Degrees too weak to find out. Not but wliat 
 the things you have been admiring, afford Employment 
 fufficient to take up a whole Age. For the Fruits and 
 Flowers which grow up every Year, arc marvelous Pieces 
 of Antiquity ; the leaft of them throws back a Door, and 
 /hews a Stage fill'd with fine Scenes. We who are the In- 
 habitants of the invifible State have many things in your 
 World perfe<511y fet before us, which reprefent Magazines 
 of Rarities. Others are kept from us as Secrets ; and we 
 can only perceive that they have a thoufand unknown Cu- 
 riofities about them, which will Vie conceal'd in their con- 
 fined Apartments till the great Fallof Nature; when the 
 Images drawn out in the Land.skip of the Creation, which 
 I fliall at this time fpeak nothing of, will no longer appear 
 in Masks, tho* they now feem to be extraordinary Pieces. 
 I was furpriz*d at this Speech, and ftarted up to look if anjr 
 body was talking to me at the Door of my Cottage; but I 
 could fee nothing, though the Sky was clear, and crouded 
 with fmall Lights : fo that I found I was carry'd into thofc 
 Thoughts only by the Brightnefs of the Night, and the 
 Arong Intenfiveiiefs that lay imprelTed upon my Ima^n^ 
 ^on. 
 
 Ha m 
 
[ 6o ) 
 
 The PARABLE 
 
 Of MARY. 
 
 TH E Day I vifited Mary was appointed as a folcmn 
 Faft, to divert the Judgments of the Deity from 
 brln^rng a Blaft on the Fruits of the Earth by locking up 
 the vVater m the Clouds, and parching die Fields and the 
 Gardens with an unufual Drought. I found her fceking to 
 God in Prayer, * That he would be picas'd of his infinite 
 
 • Mercy to fend down Showers of rcfrefhing Rain in this 
 
 • needful Scafon. O Jefus, faid fhe, the very Heavens 
 
 • now difcover thy VVrath for our many and repeated 
 
 • TranfgrcfHons.' 
 
 I attended this Saint to the Houfe of Mourning, where 
 an excellent Sermon was preach*d fuitablc to the Occafion. 
 Her Devotion was fuch, that ihc eat nothing till the Clofe 
 of the Evening ; and then only a few boil'd Eggs. Her 
 Convcrfation fo delighted me, tliat I vifited her often. She 
 rciin'd my Thoughts, and flrengthen'd my Faith. The 
 crofs Blows of Fortune had not in the leaft chang'd or 
 rufH*d her Temper, nor difcompos'd her ferene Mind. 
 Tho* young and beautiful, {he was the fame as in the Days 
 of Profpcrity, Wife, Humble, Modcfl and Chafle : thefe 
 Qualifications were ingrafted in her. Her Virtues called to 
 my Mind the Mother of Jefus, worthy to be wrote in 
 Letters of Gold, and plac'd in the Clofets of the Youth of 
 both Sexes to look upon, and imitate every Day ; when 
 they arife, when they drcfs, and when they retire to Sleep. 
 Good Examples convey the Thoughts even into an endlefs 
 Duration. Mary confider'd that Period which is to come, 
 and argu*d upon it like a Miflrefs of Learning and Lan- 
 guages. When I awake, faid ihc, at Midnight, I con- 
 template on that Eternity in which I am to live when mo- 
 mentary Time ihall be expended. I view myfelf as having 
 Lttle more to do in thi$ mortal State, but to prepare for my 
 Change. I received a Beginning, but fhall never find an 
 End. In which State it will be, I know not : There is 
 one fixed for the Reward of Virtue, and another allotted 
 for Unbelievers and Deifb. 
 
 I told Mary thefe were high Ideas ; they pointed at thofc 
 
 Spheres to which we are all travcllijig, and drawing nearer 
 
 t and 
 
 I JIJ i .il l U i .ltiJlilPL4^*i - ' ■" ..j i m i wjJL|,L,!Hli|^, ' -.U ' ^ i. i j^iip i J-l ' .. 
 
t 6^] 
 
 and nearer every Hour and Moment of Life : Our Moti- 
 on thither never fleeps nor (lumbers. 
 
 Thefc Thoughts, fays Alary ^ make me forget what is 
 behind, and look to that which is before. Muft not I be 
 wife ? Am not I to live Milhons and Millions of Ages, 
 Spaces that can never be meafur'd, a Race of Time that can 
 never run to an End? 
 
 I told her foe reafon'd well; but what cclipfcd our Vir- 
 tues, and interrupted our Progrefs and Dcfi res after Immor-; 
 tality, arc often owing to the Want of true Faith. The 
 Thoughts of Death Itrike Hope and Horror into the Soul: 
 We fhrink and draw back, when we come to the Brink ; 
 and yet the Pains and Miferies we meet with here, arc apt 
 to make us wifli for our Diflblution. True Virtue longs 
 for an Hereafter, and wants to enter upon that Duration. 
 
 We behold a Power above that is pleafing, if we could 
 but afcend thither ; yet when we confidcr a boundlefs O- 
 cean (hadow*d with Clouds and Darknefs to our SighV, wc 
 then draw back and tremble. O boundlefs Thought ! In 
 one State we muft be Inhabitants. Wc are fcnt into this na- 
 ked W orld with an Intent of refining our Morals, to per- 
 fect us to inhabFt thofe Spaces, that will ever prefcnt to us 
 nev/ Springs of Light, Harmony and Glory. 
 
 Says Maryy I am tir*d in this weary Wildernefs of 
 fleeting Time : I want to be gone. I will venture to truft 
 my Soul with Jefus. If it be loft, it fhall be v;ithin his 
 cvcrlafting Arms. Haftc this blefTed Time. I wait to 
 pafs the Gulph, and care not to abide any longer here. 
 Though I am young, yet I find Nature herfelf begins to 
 decay. She hath pafs'd through many Generations, and 
 muft be diflblved ; but my immortal Soul will exift, when 
 the World, this Globe of Earth, is cruihed into its primi- 
 tive and original Nothing. 
 
 From this Subje£t Mary went upon another. Says fhe, 
 I refle£t that there is a great Similitude in the Motion of 
 the Thoughts; and I think the Occafion of Grief, as well 
 as Joy, fuddenly arifes even unknown : for the Mind has 
 not always an Opportunity to recoiled its Force; (b that 
 the Eyes water with Tears, before wc can really exprc6 
 our Conceptions of the Objeif^s reprefented to our View. 
 
 I told her, that her Sex was of a more tender and com- 
 panionate Nature than Man. They take in the Miferies 
 and Misfortunes of others with a deeper Senfc of Pity. It 
 is Pain to a virtuous Woman to fee Diftrefs and Anguifli 
 lie in their View, and not capable of giving Relief. To 
 
 behold 
 
jtfjiEl i ifriS i Wjm " ^ 
 
 behold a melancholy Air, mean Apparel, and a worn At* 
 pe<fi, attra£li Sorrow from a tender Heart. Some Men, as 
 well as Women, are naturally inclin'd to this Virtue, and 
 a6l fuitable to the Dignity of it. It is recorded, that there 
 liv'd in the laft Century a learned Author of refin'd and 
 excellent Parts. He never publifh'd any Treatifcs, but he 
 difcourfcd in fome one Chapter either upon Grief or Joy, 
 or upon Humanity. I am of the Opinion, that it is as va- 
 luable a Virtue as can lodge in the Breaft of a Chriftian, or 
 in a wife Man. For what great Mind can fee his own 
 Image in Sufferings, and not come into its Relief according 
 to his Ability ? VVho can behold an Obje<fl naked and ftar- 
 ving, and not be touched with his Misfortunes ? I wifli this 
 Compaflion and Mercy were implanted in every Mind : 
 3uch a Sympathy beautifies the Affedions. 
 
 Pity is an irrefiftible Stroke of Eloquence ; and whcre- 
 cver its Language is heard, the very Sound makes an Im* 
 prcffion upon a tender Heart. 
 
 It is to me an agreeable Scene, to fee a Woman in Tears 
 of CompafEon. Once I faw a Female weep as i( fhe had 
 loft a Husband or a Child, only by obfcrving Cruelty a£led 
 upon an Animal reduc'd to Extremity of Torture. That 
 Sight ftruck me with a deep Senfe of her Humanity; 
 therefore I record her in this my Work, as an Example to 
 be imitated even by Men of Refolution and Bravery. I 
 have read of Heroes endow'd with this Virtue of Sorrow 
 upon gaining or lofmg of a Battel, li a Victory has been 
 gained, the very View of the Defolation their Arms have 
 made upon the innocent Subjects of a Tyrant hath drawn 
 Tears from their Eyes. It is fomething higher than what 
 is common, when the Imagination is touched with an ex- 
 tenfive Benevolence, that breaks our Paffions into Tears, 
 At that Inflant the Mind is poflefs'd with foft and eafy 
 Pleafures, a Joy more divine than moral. 
 
 After this Conference with Mary^ I retir'd to my Study ; 
 and took Pen, Ink, and Paper, to write how degenerate, 
 and below the Dignity of an Author it is, to range Men in 
 an high Order on Account only of their Riches or Honoun, 
 ^ when at the fame time they a£l below the meaneft of their 
 Species, and have neither Sorrow, Joy, nor Pity in them 
 on any Account but their own contracted Intercfts. They 
 never fetch a Sigh, or fhed a Tear, tbo* they fee the Height 
 of Barbarity and Injuftice aded upon Men, or innocent 
 Animak. V , 
 
 ^ 5upa» 
 
163] 
 
 Superiority ftiould be to thofc who live to tlie wlfcft 
 Knds, and who aflTumc no higher than their Virtues and 
 Parts entitle them to. Human Life is not to be confider'd, 
 as to the Stations we are placed in, but in the Spheres where- 
 in we aft. We are not to enquire who is the World's Fa- 
 vourite, but who behaves himfelf in Afiions that diflinguifk 
 him from the common Level of Mortals. 
 
 The Scene that Mary afte in, raifes her to a higher Sta- 
 tion than an Emprefs diverted of Wifdom, The Order 
 and Difciplinc of a Perfon is to be valu'd, hot for his Rani: 
 and Station, not his Eminence or Superiority, but for his 
 Virtues. A crown'd Head without good A6is ftands birt as 
 a Figure, It is not Diftin<Slion and Fortune that raifes our 
 Merits, or feats us above others. If we would be noble, 
 we muft pafs through the Scenes o^Joby Solomon^ and Dtf- 
 vid» In them were Humility, Wifdom and Grandeur feca 
 to move in their high Orders: Their Ideas moved in the 
 unerring Way, and kept fteady in that.Courfc to the End 
 of Life. Thofe that are ambitious of Glory fhould fup^ 
 port their Prctenfions by doing fomething that is fingular, 
 and out of the common Level. Virtue has an Averfion to 
 any thing that is mean and trifling, and not worthy ilic 
 Notice of great Minds. To be converfant with the Licen- 
 tious is a Blemifh to our Charafters, and takes away the 
 Beauty that would other wife appear conlpicuous in us. 
 
 Nothinor graces a Man more, than to turn his Eye on the 
 Divine Eflence. Beyond that we cannot form a Wifh. 
 Our Notions of the Deity at beft are dim, and too often 
 fuUied with vain Thoughts. Men of weak Capacities are 
 apt to difpute future Exiftence, and prefer prefent Enjoy- 
 ments before thofe that are unfeen. But when thcfe Atheift^ 
 as I call them, (land upon the Borders of Eternity, thc]^ 
 tremble in their laft Moments: then all their impious SbheAii 
 are overturned, and they are loft in the utmoft G)nfufiori. I 
 fear there are too many in this Age that wear Masks, and 
 a6i their Parts in Difguife. Happy if they had never beeit 
 created, or could they at Death be e?<cludcd from rifing to 
 a Refurre<5tion. I will here give an Example of a Fa\^ou- 
 rite of all wife and good Men that convers*d with him. Hii 
 Parts were fingular, his Carriage and Demeanor exemplary, 
 his Faith in Jefus appeared to be ftrong and nervous ; ht 
 conftantly attended the Church, and made Refponfes t^ 
 every Article of the Creed : yet thb Gentleman,, when btf 
 came to die, declared he never bcliev'd in the Blood of 
 Chxift till that very Ditf, He always ^ucftion'd With him- 
 
 - fclf. 
 
1-1 n Mif fruiiT nS >iti» ■ iift-iif i» -i .i tn 
 
 [64] 
 
 "felf, whether there was a God that rul'd in (he Creation ; 
 but now, fays he, in my lafl Moments, I am no Infidel 
 in the Sacred Trinity. Thus it is when wc can Jive no lon- 
 ger, and are in View of endlefs Miferies, wc then look 
 back with Horror at our paft Principles, and take a Prof- 
 pc£t of that infernal State of Mifery wc are entering up- 
 on. 
 
 Wife and thinking Men have other Thoughts in their 
 Youth and Profperity : l^hey furnifli their Minds with the 
 Certainty of Futurity, and difpcrfc thofe Clouds and Mifts 
 that others cannot fee till Death opens their Eyes. What 
 can I fay of the latter but this, that in their Life-time they 
 were only in a fort of Dream or Sleep, a mere Trance and 
 Delufion ? 
 
 Vain, learned Men, and pretended Virtuofo*s, may ccn- 
 furc my Conduct, and charge me with Weaknefs of 
 Thought, in prefcnting 'Jojhua^ Zachariah^ and Mary^ 
 indigent Pcrfons, meanly defcended, and deftitutc of acqui- 
 red Parts, asking and anfwering fuch Queftions as if they 
 were polite and ingenious Authors. 
 
 I reply, I have converfcd with both Sexes, poflels'd only 
 of natural Parts, their Birth mean, and Circumftanccs lit- 
 tle above Want, yet their Ideas of Things have been very 
 inftrudive to mej they have taught me how to a£l and 
 perform my Duty to my God and to my Neighbour. 
 
 After I have learnt tlieir Divine Leflbns, 1 have gone to 
 the Wits Coffee- houfes, and other Places, the Refort of 
 felf- conceited Wits, in expeftation to be further improved ; 
 there I fat filent, as my general Way is in ftrangc Com- 
 pany, and liftned to their Difcourfe in Variety of Points 
 and Matters: And what was the Refult? Their Conferences 
 made me wifer than ever; I then came to the Knowledge 
 of their vain Air and haughty Looks, their frequent Turns 
 to view themfelves in the Glaffes, and the many Vifits they 
 made to their SnufF-boxes ; the Formality ufed in almoft 
 every Word they fpoke, and even in all their Motions and 
 Behaviour gave me no Delight but Pain. 
 
 This I affirm for Truth ; 1 have known fomc of thcfe 
 extolled Wits, that their principal Genius has confifted in 
 little more than a round Set of Words and Difcourfes, for 
 when you have heard them twice or thrice you come to the 
 Knowledge of all tlie Stock of Wifdom they are in Pof- 
 feffion of J fuch Virtuofo*s I compare to Parrots that are 
 pleafed to fee themfejves admired and liftned to, tho* they 
 never repeat above one or two odd impertinent Stories learnt 
 them by Heart. It 
 
 p «p . i .u mm'}\m mmmfmm9m 
 
[ 65 I 
 
 It is not thus lit the Schools of Divine Wifdom, in 
 which Jcjhuay Zachariah and Mary receiv'd their Educati- 
 on and Difcipline. The Original of their College was 
 founded by the Deity in the Embryo of the World. Who 
 can be better vcrs*d in the Science of Knowledge than an 
 Heir of Heaven ? What Mind can outreach the Chriftian 
 Heroe, whofe Thoughts arc center*d in holy Oracles? 
 What Man can be ftiled wife, that ails the Revcrfe ? Im- 
 perious Perfons in Purfuit of Plcafurc and Vanity, arc but 
 iike a Kite in the Air, that wanders for a while near the 
 Clouds, and is gazed at by Children and idle Spedators, 
 and on a fudden drops down to the Earth, and leaves no 
 Traces behind it to be remember'd. 
 
 The Mind that is adorn*d with excellent Graces is daily 
 in Converfe with his God : His Virtue and Example, the* 
 not recorded in profane Hiftory, yet they are all regifter'd 
 in the Volumes of Duration, and will fpring up and bloom 
 in the Regions where infinite Wifdom reigns, and where 
 Praifes are continually the Anthems and Songs, without 
 any Sound of one jarring String in all the heavenly Voices 
 and Inftmments of Mufick. 
 
 F J N j[ s. 
 
[ 66 ] 
 
 A COPY of the Manufcript taken 
 out o( Marys Clofet after her De- 
 ceafe. 
 
 TH E Hour, fays {hc^ I awake in the Morning, I lay 
 my natural Failings before God with Sighs and Tears, 
 and pour out my Soul in Prayers, that no reigning Crimes 
 inhabit within my Breaft, In the FJower of Youth I ne- 
 ver conversed with Men of lewd Converfation. That Rc- 
 flralnt cxtinguifli'd vain Thoughts; otherwifc I might 
 have given up my Honour to Strangers, and facrific*d my 
 Innoccncy. The Retreat from Sodom conqucr*d unruly 
 PafllorL^, and kept my Virtues undefird. 
 
 What Words can be more excellent than thefe of Mary 
 for Virgins in our Age to copy after. It puts me in mind 
 of Scipioj who at four and twenty Years of Age obtain'd a 
 great Vi^ory, and a multitude of Prifoners of both Sexes, 
 and all Conditions, fell into his Pofleffion j among othep, 
 an agreeable Virgin in her early Bloom and Beauty. He 
 had too fcnfible a Spirit, to fee the moft lovely of all Ob- 
 je£b, without being moved with Paffion ; bcfides which, 
 there was no Obligation of Honour or Virtue to retrain 
 his Dcfires towards one, who was his by the Fortune of 
 War: Biit a noble Indignation, and a fudden Sorrow 
 which appear'd in her Countenance, when the Conqueror 
 call his Eyes upon her, raifed his Curiofity to know her 
 Story. He was informed that (he was a Lady of the high- 
 lit Condition, and contra<Stcd to Indibilisy a Man of Me- 
 rit and Qualit}'. The generous Roman foon placed himfelf 
 in the Condition of tliat unhappy Man, who was to lofe 
 fo charming a Bride ; and thoi^ a Youth, a Batchelor, a 
 Lrover, and a Conqueror, immediately refolv'd to refign 
 all the Incitements of his Paflion, and the Rights of his 
 Power, and to reftore her to her deftin'd Hus^nd. For 
 this Purpofe he commanded her Parents and Relations, as 
 well as her Husband, to attend him at an appointed Time, 
 Accordingly they met, and waiting for the General (my 
 Author frsmcs to himfelf the different Concern of an un- 
 happy Father, a defpairing Lover, and a tender Motber, 
 in the fcveral Perfons who were fo related to the Captive ; 
 but for fear of injuring the delicate Circumftanccs with an 
 t old 
 
itmmSMammiiiaHmtHmmmhiii m»ui. » t^' mr tiwmmm»mmmmiitmtum 
 
 f 67 ] 
 
 old Tranflation) I fhall proceed to tell jrou, that SdpU ap^ 
 pears to them, and leads his PriToner into their PirfcnGC. 
 The Romans (as noble as they were) Teemed to allow tbcm- 
 felves a little too much Triumph over the Conquer*d ; thero* 
 fore, as Scipio approach'd, they all threw thehifelves on 
 their Knees except the Lover of the Lady. But Sdfi§ ob- 
 ferving in him a manly Sullennefs was tke more indm'd ta 
 favour him, and fpoke to him in thefe Words: 
 
 * It is not the manner of the Ramans to ufc all the Power 
 
 * they juftly may. We fight not to ravage Countries, or 
 
 * break through the Ties of Humanity. I am acquainted 
 
 * with your Worth, and your Intereft in thb Lady. For- 
 
 * tune has made me your Mafter ; but I dedre to be your 
 
 * Friend. This is your Wife; take her, and may the 
 
 * Gods blefs you with her. But far be it from Sc^Io to 
 
 * purchafe a loofe and momentary Pleafure, at the latc of 
 
 * making an honeft Man unhappy/ 
 
 IndibUis*f> Heart was too full to make him any Anfwer j 
 but he threv7 himfclf at the Feet of the General, and wept 
 aloud. The captive Lady followed his Example; and they 
 both remain'd fo, till the Father burft into the following 
 Words : * O divine Scipio ! the Gods have given you more 
 
 * than human Virtue. O glorious Leader ! O wondrous. 
 
 * Youth ! Does not that obliged Virgin give you, whilft flie 
 
 * prays to the Gods for your Profperity, and thinks you 
 
 * arc fent down from them. Raptures above allTraiXf 
 
 * fports which you could have reaped from the PofleiHon 
 
 * of her Perfon.* The temperate Scipio anfwerVI him. 
 without much Emotion, and faying. Father, be a Friend 
 to Romcy retir'd. An immenfe Sum was ofier*d for her 
 Kanfom ; but he fent it to her Husband, and fmiling faid. 
 This is a Trifle, after what I have given him already : but 
 kt Indibilis know, that Chaftity at my Age is a much mxx^ 
 dii!;cult Virtue to pra6life than Generofity, 
 
 Vtriiiu 
 
ttiiTiIltllH 
 
 tttumttiim 
 
 [69] 
 
 Tirgins pure in 
 bought retrtat 
 upon the fir/} 
 'Temptation ; at 
 the fecond flee as 
 an Arrow from 
 the Snare \ ne- 
 ver return more 
 to that Man, 
 tbo* they Jiarve 
 and die. 
 
 Chajitty imfhn" 
 ted in the Mini 
 either Sex, 
 ^uch Images (f 
 the Deity will 
 not cmverfe two 
 Days in Compa^ 
 ny of any y who 
 offer to crucify 
 their Virtue by a 
 lewd Wordy or 
 animmodeflEm' 
 brace. 
 
 4 
 
 Pa M E L AS Letters 
 
 Immodeft Romances painted in Images 
 of Virtue. 
 
 Mafquerades in DifguijCy that received Birth now Pice reigns 
 in Triumph y and fwcUs in Streams even to a Deluge, 
 
 BOOKS are Schools that beautify or ftain the Soul. 
 Authors may be compar*d to Painters, who draw Re- 
 prefentations according to their Fancy, or what they think 
 tend moft to their Gain. 
 
 A Lady of ftridi Piety fcnt two Volumes to mc for my 
 Perufal. I furvcy'd the Work. It is entitrd, Pamela^ or 
 Virtue rewarded. There arc prefented two different Scenes, 
 a chafle and beautiful Maid, and a lewd Rake. The Pre- 
 face, and the Epiftles directed to the Editor in Commenda- 
 tion of thofe Volumes, at firft Sight gave me pleafmg Ideas 
 of finding Leflbns of Education for Youth. I had not 
 gone through two Sheets, before I perceiv'd myfelf, as it 
 were, convcy'd within the Circles of Lewdnels ; nay, even 
 in Bed-chambers frequented by Women as charming as 
 Nuns, in Company with wild Rakes. This is a true Re- 
 Yemblance of modeft Pamela^ and her wanton. Mafler. 
 What can thefe Repreientations be called, but Romances to 
 corrupt the Morals of the Agci Pamela is drefs*d in Airs, 
 that cannot but raife vain Defires even in Men as chafle as 
 Jojeph when tempted by his Miftrefs, All the Imagp are 
 
 fo 
 
ilitfiiiiiiaiiiiiittliiiMifittii 
 
 [69) 
 
 fo very natural that way, that were they to he aSed in t 
 Play, there would not want a crowded Audience of vicioui 
 Men and Women to excite their Paifions to wicked 
 Actions. 
 
 As I am a Chriftian, and believe that I muft account for 
 every A£k of Life, 1 dare not repeat fome ExprciHoiis 
 often mention*d in Pamila*s Letters. To read them, Vir- 
 tue cannot but blu(b. What is more indecent than the 
 Paflagcs in the Summcr-houfe, in Mrs. Jarvis^s Apart^ 
 ment, and at Night in Pamela's Chamber when (he was 
 undrefs*d, and her Mafter in the Room with the Servant- 
 Maid's Cloaths on, and her Apron over his Face ; as alio 
 tliat immodeft Pafl'age of their being both in the naked Bed 
 together ? Thefe Scenes are Paradoxes to me, to be print* 
 cd and called Virtue rewarded. Good God I Can amorous 
 Embraces delineated in thefe Images, tend to inculcate Re- 
 ligion in the Minds of Youth, when the Blood is hot, and 
 runs quick in every Vein ? Arc thefe Lights to dire^ the 
 Soul to a crucify*d Jefus? Are they Pi^ures to cxtinguiih 
 Vice, and reftrain the Wickednefs of the Times ? \i\\l 
 fuch Reprefentations divert Men of Pleafurc from looking 
 on beautiful Women ? Can immodeft Intrigues divert lewd 
 Thoughts, and bring off with Honour vicious Minds ? Caa 
 a Man, cxprefling licentious Speeches in Convcrfc with ^ 
 Maid not yet dcflowcr'd, reform the Age, or infpire Ideas 
 in the Mind worthy of Example ? VVill not tlic Sight of 
 fiich Inftances rather increafc Emulation, than any ways 
 allay it, either in modeft Virgins, chafte Brides, or obliging 
 Wives f 
 
 Had I a Train of Sons and Daughters, and as nume- 
 rous a Company of Servants as King Solomon^ not one of 
 them, by my Confent, fhould read fuch Romances of tin<' 
 chafte Love. What tho* fome of Pamela^ Letters give 
 Hints that may be imitated, does not the Poifon contain*d 
 in others deftroy all, and give Birth to loofe and wandering 
 Imaginations ? There arc in thofe Epiftles fo many Salutes 
 and Embraces, both in publick and private, as Pamela her* 
 felf tells the Story, which are not to be vindicated by Tiutii 
 Of Reafon. 
 
 The Editor tells you, the Original of thofe Epiftles ara 
 founded upon Truth : If fo, they are no EmbeliOiment to 
 be recorded or read either by Youth, or Pcrfons of ripet 
 Years. Can the Editor, with all his Eloquence, prevail 
 with wife vd faious Men, to fufier thtii Sons and DaugiK 
 
 SOI 
 
[76] 
 
 tcrs to learn thofc Lcflbns, as Guides to dirc£i them in the 
 Practice of what is commendable in Life. 
 
 My Anfwer to the Editor is this, I here lay it down as 
 a Maxim to the prefcnt and after Generations, That fcdatc 
 Rcfledions, fccluded from every Temptation, dirc^ the 
 running Springs of unruly Youths, and brings home their 
 wandring Thoughts to God. Pure Virgins keep their In- 
 nocency undefil'd ; they never converfc with lewd Rakes. 
 At the firft Aflault upon their Virtue they retreat, by which 
 means they gain a Conqueft-, and put the Tempter into 
 Confufion ; their Flight allays the Heat in the Breaft of 
 the guilty Purfuer, as Water quenches the Flame. 
 
 That Maid who holds a Parley with a vicious Man a fc- 
 cond time, and fuffers herfelf to be immodcftly embrac*d, I 
 cenfure her Chaftity : She may be compared to one of the 
 fair Apples of Sodomy beautiful for the Eye to behold, but 
 Stains and Rottennefs within. 
 
 True Virtue fets a Guard over all Attempts, whcrc-evcr 
 there is any Fear of Danger. Virgins pure in Mind and 
 Thought, when they retire to Reft at Night, and have the 
 leaft Apprehcnflon of a Defign againft them, never undrefs 
 till every Avenue in the Room is fearched, and the Doors 
 lafely fecur*d. Admit that an innocent Virgin is for once 
 betray'd by a treacherous jfudasy (he will never fleep ano- 
 ther Night in that Habitation, hut be gone, and hide herfelf 
 in any hollow Cave, and there perifti with Nakednefs and 
 Hunger, rather than run the risk of lofmg any one of her 
 Virtues. This is Innocency in the Abftradt ; the Reverfe is 
 Cheat and Delufion7~ahd^deferves no other Title but /w- 
 fuity rewarded. 
 
 To keep Innocency, Virgins fhould conceal themfelves, 
 and not fpeak to Men of evil Converfation. I will give 
 an Inftance of one who facrific*d her Honour in Thought, 
 tho' not in A^. This Virgin always maintain'd in her 
 Difcourfes, that a Mind truly virtuous was incapable of en- 
 tertaining an unlawful Pailion : But in a few Days (he fell ; 
 for coming into a mix'd Company, (he got acquainted with 
 a Gentleman, and made Offers of an unchaftc Love. A 
 Complaint being made to her Parents, that ihc acSed the 
 Part of Jofeph's Miftrefs, her Intrigues had no Effcft. Then 
 ihc thought of making ufe of other Means to accomplifh 
 her Defires. Upon this her Father, with a Divine, fent 
 for her, aiKi in a gentle Manner reprefented her Faults^ 
 and put her in mind of her, former Speeches upon the Sub* 
 jc£| of Chaftity, She (bll upon her Knees^ and burft out 
 
 ioto 
 
 ^M.-J.HJjS^I 
 
into Tears. O Jefus, my Shame, my Difhonour is now 
 difcover'd: I have betray 'd my Virtues: It fills my Soul 
 with Agonies of Defpair. Then a freih Flood diftUl'd 
 from her Eyes, and ihe expreis'd herfelf in the Language 
 of a Perfon, whofe Cafe was much the fame with hers. 
 Says {he, I am convinc'd that I have two Souls : Love has 
 taught me this Piece of Pliilofophy. If I bad but one 
 Soul, it could not at the fame time pant after Virtue and 
 Vice, wifh and abhor the fame thing. It is certain there- 
 fore we have two Souls ; when the good Soul rules, I un- 
 dertake roble and virtuous A<5^ions j but when the bad Soul 
 predominates, I am forc*d to do evil. All I can fay of mjr 
 ielf at prefent is, that I find my good Soul encouraged by 
 your Prefencc and Advice. 
 
 I know not whether Divines will agree with thefe Ex- 
 preffions of the Virgin of having two Souls ; but though it 
 doth not fquare with Divim'ty, yet I am fure the Expreffi- 
 ens are beautiful : there is fomething uncommon contained 
 in the Words, and what muft make an Imprefiion upon 
 the Mind, when we reflect a little upon this excellent 
 Strain of Philofophy, or ever enter upon any A6i cither of 
 Virtue or Vice. 
 
 The Copy of a Letter fent by. a 
 Divine of the Church of England to 
 the Author of the Sheets, entitrd, 
 The Firgin in Eden* . \ 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I Have taken Delight in penifing your State of Innoccncy 
 fent me in Manufcript, in order to know my Opinion 
 of it before you put the Copy to the Prcfs. As you did 
 not reftrain me, I entrufted feveral of my Acquaintance 
 with the faid Manufcript to read over in their Studies, that 
 you might have tlieir Sentiments alfo upon your Labouri. 
 Your Pilgrim's Progrefs from ScJom to Canaariy I call di- 
 .vine Leflbns. Wearifome Days and awakening Nights 
 were your Repaft for Weeks and Months, in compiling 
 that Journey through a Vale of Tears to the promifcd Hz- 
 vcnof |lcft. . ^ ,Had 
 
[72] 
 
 Had a Body of learned Men met lA G)uncll, and draWA 
 up fiich a Piece, the Work could not well exceed yours in 
 lively Ideas, nor in a Language more plcafing to read, and 
 agreeable to facred Record. Your Arguments cannot but 
 infcnlibly inflil virtuous Principles in the Minds even of 
 Deifts and Atheifts. 
 
 The Emblems of /V//jir the Student and the Virgin are 
 fiich natural Inftanccs, that I cannot in my Thoughts but 
 wilh to be travelling with that Train, and converfing with 
 them in Gardens, WildernefTes, and ftiady Groves. The 
 Conferences and Speeches in thofe folitary Retreats, on 
 their way to Jbraharns Houfe, cannot but fubdue unruly 
 Paflions, and gain Profely tes to the Pradice of our holy and 
 pure Religion : Rules and Precepts to guide the Sons and 
 Daughters of crown*d Heads in their Duty to God, and 
 their royal Parents Examples, which I fhall ever retain in 
 my View. 
 
 The Parable of the Shepherd^ Jojhua and Mary are In- 
 ilruc^ions for all that move in low Spheres, to a£l and Iteer 
 by in their Way to the Grave. Even Jews^ Turks and 
 Pagans may be prevail'd upon to travel with thofe righteous 
 Lots, If Images of Humility, Meekncfs and Chaftity are 
 Embelilhments, thofe Parables prefent them in fuch Lights, 
 as are Examples for Emperors and Queens to let their Dia- 
 dems and Sceptres fall to the Earth, and live in Contempt 
 of Pomp and Grandeur. 
 
 Pamda's Letters tend more to corrupt the Morals, than 
 refine the Mind with virtuous Ideas. Your Emblems arc 
 Streams of Purity to fwim in,diftant from the ragingWaves 
 of Iniquity, that now fweil in Eddies even to drown the 
 Race of Man in Licentioufnefs. 
 
 The prefent Generation now facrifices their Ambition to 
 Vanity and Pleafure. And how (hould it be otherwifc, 
 when Volumes are publifli'd, cntitl'd. Virtue rewarded^ 
 that have little more in them than Arts to inflame tlic Paf- 
 fionstoVicc? 
 
 The Virgin in Eden reflrains Extravagancy, and lets a 
 Guard over her Virtues. She is not feen once in kwd 
 Convcrfation, She retreats from Sodom ; and in her whole 
 Journey to Canaan gives Examples diverted of every Ap- 
 pearance of Evil : Her Practice never fails to put Wickcd- 
 fiefs under Difgrace, 
 
 Tour tiffe^lcnatt Frltnd in Chrifi, 
 Child*s Coffcc-Houfc, . 
 
 St. P^ur^ Church- ' 
 
 yard,ijrx/^ij/?3.i74ig ^ ^ .- - V 
 
 ' vy. • ^w^ • - ' < f )^!^m,.-.mw'.''*"^ ' V^milm>*l. um ii iuw^ ' ^'u - , ii ' ut !.'< .n p . .■" ■ -^ ^ .ny u y^.., . ,- , . ,, , ,, ,fri n;m.^ 
 
The Copy of a L e tt e r lent to the 
 Author from a Diffenting Minifter. ^ 
 
 AQergyman fevour'd me with your Manufcript. There 
 are beautiful Thoughts of God, and Contempt of 
 tlieWorld. The Ideas run out of the common way of think- 
 ing, and cannot but be of JJfe to this and After-ages, The 
 Virgin in E^ien is reprefented as a Lamp to light our Youth 
 into the Paths of Virtue, to annihilate vicious Habits, and 
 to bring Lewdnefs into Difgn^cc. The State of Innocen- 
 cy is fo folemn, and the Journey to Abraharrfs Houfe fo 
 extremely pleafant, that it may even perfuadc Mifers to 
 throw away their Bags of Drois, and turn Strangen to th? 
 World. Divines may learn from the Virgin's Leflbns, 
 Lc£lures of Mortification, to allay their Ambition after 
 Church-Preferments, in order to fit in Peter's Chair of 
 State. What Inftances may not be abftra£lcd from thi« 
 Chriftian's Progrefs ? They ferve to take ofF waodring 
 Thoughts from momentary Shadows. You may plead 
 from thefe your Studies, a Bleffing to attend the Work in 
 both Worlds. Every Hour fpent in compofing thefc 
 Scenes will meet with a Reward. Tho* you cannot bear 
 with Approbation this publick Praife of your Works, yet I 
 had rather you fhoujd blufli, than the Lines fhould efcape 
 the publick View. What I fay may reftrain wild Ofiend* 
 CIS, and bring home their wandring Thoughts. 
 
 Hamlir^s Coflee-houfey 
 Reyal Exchange, 
 Augujld, 174U 
 
 / am yourjincere Frimd, 
 
 l^r^U 
 
 K ' • 
 
trill' iiinVi-ft<-iriB"iiiff itr . 1 1 i i TTiffcffWiir iij- r'rt"-'" tm ' uMmtivimmiitiTtiHitmmtmslk. 
 
 A Copy of the Letter dire£Ved to 
 the Author from a Speaker amongft 
 the People calFd fakers. 
 
 - Friend, 
 
 I Am the Father of ten Sons and Daughters. Thy Ma- 
 nufcript wherein thou fctteft forth Pamela's Letters im- 
 modeft Romances, thou fayeft well : they are profane Lcf- 
 fons, and (hall not dwell in my Houfe. My Daughters 
 
 ' Education I leave to their Mother's Management. Laft 
 Week, amongft an Aflembly of our People, (he gave In- 
 llrudions to the EJdeft, a Maid of fifteen. She told her 
 there was nothing corrupted the Morals fo much, as read- 
 ing the Intrigues of Rakes, or admitting for Suitors the 
 pretended Wits of the Times : their Converfation ferved 
 
 . only to fill the Mind with ftrange Amufcments, to infpirc 
 it with what is vain and trifling. She went on a great 
 way further in this Counfel, but broke off feveral times in 
 giving notable Examples of her Difpleafure. She order'd 
 a Colleilion of her Daughter's Epiftles to be publickly read ; 
 and faid, every Fop that had the leaft Reafon, could jumble 
 together well enough an amorons Set of Words to heighten 
 the Paflions into Flames of Impurity ; but there is fcarce 
 one in a thoufand, who can compofe a Letter about a chaftc 
 Love anfwering the right Ends of Marriage. Then (be 
 ftopp'd, and with the graved Air imaginable committed 
 the whole Bundle to the Fire ; and went on, faying, fhc 
 thought thofe wanton Copies were more fit to be burnt, 
 than kept as Relicks in her Childrens Clofets. Upon this 
 fome of the young Company fell into a little DIforder, and 
 would have turn'd Reformers, had they not been timely 
 fupprefs'd by the grave Dons and Matrons then prefent, 
 who faw the Deftrudion of thofe vile Manufcripts. But 
 fhc continued to go forward with her Work : For, as at 
 Plays, between the A6t$ (he added to the Pile fome Frag- 
 ments of Verfes borrow^ from licentious Authon, and 
 proceeded again in her Inflrudions before thofe Relicks 
 were all reduc'd to Afhes. She crown'd the few Remains 
 with feveral fmall Tra£b taken out of her Daughter's 
 Chamber, which fhc call'd the Intrigues of Night-Meet- 
 ings, Mafqucradcs, and Dancings. Her Sons, who had 
 
 ilood 
 
t 75 Ji 
 
 flood neuter all the time, feem'd to be furpnz'd at this new 
 way of chaftifmg Children : But I found it fcnt the Parents 
 away full of plcafing Images ; nay, fome of the Youth* 
 then prefent faid, they recciv'd from this an Idea and Pro- 
 fpcQ. of what they had learnt in the Schools of Knowledge 
 in which they were educated. By this I faw, that good 
 Examples keep the Spirits from languifhing, and fill the 
 Imagination with the beautiful Scenes of Heaven, of Feli- 
 city and Pleafurc. All which gives a perfe£t Defcription 
 of every thing that is commendable. 
 
 DircSfed to thee from our MeHlng* 
 4^1' 9. I74X# Houfe^ Dcvonfhire-fquaic. •• 
 
 The reading this Letter brought to my Remembrance 
 what I once faw in Gray*s-Inn Walks : As a Gentleman 
 was walking there, he efpy'd his pretty Daughter,* as he 
 caird her, in Company which he did not very well like. 
 This added fuch Perplexity to him, that he was refolved, 
 fincc his private Cenfure made no Imprcflion upon her, he 
 would proceed to publick Remedies : a Province which Pa- 
 rents, he faid, claim as their Right. I return'd the Gen« 
 tleman this Anfwer : Sir, faid I, every Parent knows not 
 this Method of corrr<5ling by way of amendment; for 
 there muft be a critical Nicety obfer\'cd, both as to Wit 
 and Judgment, to find out the Temper of a Son or a 
 Daughter, and to diftinguifli between the different Nature 
 of their Paflions, between the firft Motions of Impudence, 
 and thofe of fincerc Modefty. Every common Parent 
 cannot judge in thefe Cafes. What brings one Genius to 
 Reafon, may drive another to Diftra<5lion. The bare dif- 
 covcring of the Conflitutions of thofe who are under our 
 Care, is not enough neither, without a particular Ajyli- 
 cation, to know how far we ought to carry our Refent- 
 ments, and how often they arc to be repeated. Befidcs» 
 the Time of Punifliment is likewife to be taken notice (^, 
 as well as the Severity to be inflicted : for a Crime may be 
 much more augmented, when we take the Offender in the 
 very A£V, than when the Fault is of a paft Date. In ibort^ 
 there muft beThreatnings maintained on the one band, and 
 at the fame time Promifes on the other. And all this muft 
 be order'd with a wife Conduft, or clfe we deflroy our 
 own Reputation, and run tlie hazard of ruining the Cha- 
 la^rs of thofe we pretend to inftru£L 
 
 K V ;-/ • ' A Copy 
 
A Copy of the Letter delivered to 
 the Author by a young Nobleman. 
 
 THE Countcfs my Mother commanded me to rea(| 
 your Manufcript ; which I have done. The Virgin 
 in Bden are divide Inftru<5ions to me : Her Example (haJI 
 be my Meditation till Death. I now diftinguifli betweco 
 Pameia*s Letters, and her Life. She reprefents Jnnocenc/ 
 in its native Drefs : the Editor teaches more Lewdnefs than 
 Chaftit^ Her Converfation renders Love inofFeufivc, 
 ftrong and lading her LeiTons, corre£b vain Amours; 
 Pamela^ Epiftles are licentious Scenes. Your Virgin im- 
 plants in the Soul what is noble and commendable. The 
 Parables of the Shephcrdy Jojhua^ and Mary^ facrifice Vice, 
 and make Purity agreeable even in the View of the mofl Li- 
 centious and Vicious. They keep Virtue in Countenance, 
 and reftrains Youth from perifhing under violent Tempta- 
 tions. Their holy Living is worthy the Imitation of the 
 Sons and Daughters of noble Families. Should we theif 
 IlTue a£l according to thofe Models, After- Generations 
 would rife and call us blcfled. The very Name of the 
 State of Innocency may put lewd Livers to Shame, and 
 make the Licentious in love with what is truly commend- 
 able. Images of Virtue put a Reftraint upon itsf Enemy, 
 and drive their wandring Thoughts to a kind of D^fpair. 
 The Conferences of the Converts defcribe what is, and 
 what is not, the Reward of Virtue. Such Examples muft 
 fubdue unruly Paffions, and prevail with both Sexes to livp 
 the primitive Life, rather than fwim in Pomp and Gran- 
 deur. Who can read your Eflay, and a£t contrary to the 
 Virgin in Edsn ? Pamela's Romances cannot but defile the 
 Thoughts evpn in advanced Years ; and how much more 
 in Youth ? Images of Virtue and Lewdnefs painted in 
 one Pidure, can never facrifice Vice, nor convert the Pro- 
 Id igal. I now labour to enter into the State of Iimocency, 
 aivil for the future will never enfnare my Mind with ungo- 
 vernable Appetites. I fee Self-denial repulfes Thoughts of 
 Obfcenity, and fets a Guard over our A£tiom. The 
 oftner I read your VVork, but efpecially the divine Confe- 
 rences pf />/;> the Student and the Virgin i of the Ele- 
 ments, 
 
rnents, the Earth, the Sea and the Air, that will aWalbe 
 and execute Wrath upon Sodom unlefs (he repents ; thole 
 Inilances fubduc my Paffions, and obtain a Viftory over 
 every thing that lays fiege to my Virtues : to retreat from 
 Snares are exemplary. The Virgin in Eden enters not in 
 Converfe with gay Youths. Where there are no Tem- 
 ptations, there is the lefs Danger. The Prefencc of 
 Vice ftrikes the Breaft with deftru6tive Darts, and fets the 
 Springs of Licentioufnefs floating. I know by Experience, 
 that iecret Intrigues fcarce ever fail to gain a Conqueft 
 over the Innocent. Undefiled Virtue, never treats with 
 Vice : (he immediately takes Wing, as a timorous Lark 
 purfued by the devouring Hawk. Pftfnelay had (he been 
 as chafte as reprefcnted, would have run to her Father*! 
 Cottage, as to an Ark of Security. Chaftc Virgins never 
 parly twice with wanton Rakes. The Editor's Works are 
 only Scenes varni(h*d with Deiufion, profane Stories, idle 
 Hiltories, deftrudtivc to the Minds and Morals of the Age. 
 Thcfc are my Thoughts on your Eflay on the State of Itt'- 
 noccncy, and the Editor's Volumes. 
 
 J am ^our Converts 
 X'lncoln's - Inn, 
 Aug. I. I74«» 
 
 A Copy of the Letter dire<9:ed to 
 the Author by a young Lady. 
 
 SI Ri 
 
 MY Parents commanded me, and my eldefl Brother, to 
 read your Manufcript, The Ideas have made deep 
 Impreflions upon my Mind. The >'ery Defcription of the 
 Virgin's Journey from Sodom to Canaan hath weaned my 
 Affections from the empty Pageantry I fee every Day, in 
 my Vifits and Converfation, That modern Pilgrim, the 
 Virgin's Scene of Life, fl^all advife me in every original 
 Virtue. Her Inftru6tions are E^^apples for our Sex tp co- 
 py after. Her Savings keep me awake tjll Midnight ; and 
 in the Morn my nrft Thoughts are travelling wi£ her to 
 Canaan J that I may hear the Halelujahs and Hymns (he is 
 now entertained with in that Choir \iiAhrahanf% Houle. I 
 
j gJ'Miiijffiluilaiwi^* i? i ir Mi r i ii i -i"V' ii ft!iirMw i 
 
 I 78- J 
 
 am even certain, that the Branches of the Royal Familjr 
 will read her State of Innoccncy. Each of thofc Princes 
 fhall be prefent^d with Copies deliver*d from my own Hand. 
 I ibali let them know the Work is to me more than all the 
 Strokes of Eloquence. Pamelas EpifHes I compare to the 
 Moon in Eciipfe, and the Virgin in Eden to the Sun at its 
 Meiidian Height, Her Virtues are all clear Day without 
 one Cloud or Evening Twilight. The Editor's Worki 
 are d relied in various Scenes. In one Page arc Images of 
 LewJnefs ; in another Reprefentations of Virtue ; and in a 
 third he introduces Wantonnefs and Alodefty adding together 
 in fccret, that which any of our Sex may blufh to think 
 of, much more to name. Thus the Editor goes on : Vir- 
 tue gives a word of Rcfiihnce, then Vice doubles the At- 
 tack, and experts nothing lefs than taking the Fort by 
 Storm. What can put Innocency more in danger, an4 
 throw Virtue into Defpair ? Sir, pray publifli your Manu- 
 fcript without any Amendment ; in particular, that of the 
 divine Conference of Felix the Student, and the Virgin ; of 
 the Elements, the Earth, the Sea and the Air, that will 
 awake and execute Wrath upon the Sodom, Every 
 Article is founded on the Bafis of holy Writ. Every 
 Age may paint after the Virgin's Sute of Innocency. 
 There are no Allurements to defile the Morals of either Sex, 
 Thofe Ideas have inftilled in me good Thoughts, and ha- 
 nifhed bad Defires. Emblems that will furvive my Fune- 
 ral, and live till Time fhall be no more. Could I have 
 tny Wifh, every Page fhould be engraven on Tables of 
 Marble in ail Cathedrals and Churches, which would be 
 more afTecling to read than funeral Orations. The Times 
 call for fuch Leflbns to be recorded in our Temples, and Pla- 
 ces of divine Worlhip. Sir, pray infert thefe my Thoughts 
 in your Treatifes^ they may be agreeable to After-Gene- 
 rations, and even prevail with fome to take a Journey from 
 Sodojn to Canaan. By this the Treatifes may be extended 
 over the Chriftian World, and reach the Turksy Heathens^ 
 and Per an Nations, that thcfe Unbelievers may receive 
 perfect Reprefeptations of the Elizian Fields ; not flowery 
 Meadows, fuch as they fancy, for the Enjoyment of beau- 
 tiful Women ; but Groves and Gardens, with holy Men, 
 fcnd with chafte Virgins, and accompany them to the Regi- 
 ons that are beyond our Sight. 
 
 O that I could for ever live with fuch Saints in Palaces 
 enlighten'd with Morning Stars^ and join with them in 
 
 Halleli*. 
 
HalieKijahs for ever, the Church triumphanf, in cndfcft 
 Glory. ' • 
 
 I am ivhb Ri^ird^ 
 St. JamcsVSquare, 
 
 Aug. 3, 174X. Toursf ice* 
 
 Manufcripts diredled to Sodom. 
 Signed by Felix the Student, and the Virgin* 
 Deliver d byway of Image and Dejcription^ 
 PRESENTING, ' 
 
 THAT in thirty Days after the Pilgrims Arrival at A- 
 hrahanC^ Houfe in Canaan^ they agreed in a Confe- 
 rence to fend Memorials to the Town of their Nativity. 
 The Virgin in Eden opens the Scene with the underwritten 
 Dedication. 
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 Tho' it be unufual for Maids, in the Bloom of Youth, 
 to write divine Lcdures ; yet, as the Work comes from a 
 Pilgrim, now a Stranger to Sodom^ her LefTons may be 
 cfteemed beyond Flowers of Eloquence. 
 
 Solitude and Silence tiave given me juft Thoughts of 
 God, his Eflence and divine Attributes. I find it a fecret 
 Pieafure to hide in Groves, and walk in Shades; thcrp.I 
 am delighted with the Springs that run in Streams down 
 the Hills to their appointed Centre. Thefe Objcdis take 
 off my Mir.d from Shew and Pageantry. 
 ■ But in this I fear I offend by my comparing an earthly 
 Canaan to the heavenly Jerufalem. In the Morning it is 
 fweet to hear the airy Inhabitants break out into one Cho- 
 rus of Praifes to their fovereign Creator. The Sound to 
 me is fo melodious, that at that time I even wifh to live 
 always: then I am not for returning to my original Dull. 
 The going througJi the Alley of Death is a mekmcholy 
 Scene to the very innocent and chafle. At our la^ Agonies 
 
 the 
 
frl— llr- ,.■■,■ V.:.^^.^>^.;^.. ,^..-^.^^-^. ^ j|, ^ . 
 
 the Soul IS apt to dart back, occafion'd b/ the innate Cor« 
 ruptidn of Nature. 
 
 What I glory in is this: Before I left Sodomy and pro- 
 ceeded on my Progrefs to CanaOttj with Sighs and Tears I 
 intreated my Neighbours to go with ihe to Jbrabam*% 
 Houfc, the only Situation of Peace and Silence on this Side 
 Eternity. Vanity, Pride and Ambition reign in Sodom: 
 She floats in momentary Pleafures. Emulation rages thei« 
 as Billows in the Sea. They rife as Storms that prefage 
 Wrecks; Floods to drown her Inhabitants. She deeps, 
 and fees not her Danger; but cries. Peace, PeaCe. In 
 Canaan the Voice is, IVraih^ IVraib, unlefs ihe awakes 
 and remembers. 
 
 At this Day I view Sodom as in a diflraded Vifion veil- 
 ed in Darkncfs, but ihe will not believe it. She is as Evi 
 in the Garden of Eden betrayed by the fubtiJ Serpent : for 
 whifpcr to her to confider, ihe regards it not. Her Image 
 is as the Portraiture of Deftru6lion ; a Widow that has lofl 
 her Senfes, and will not be prevailed upon to afTume the 
 Afpe6l ihe bore in her Virgin State. ^ 
 
 In Canaan we retain Reafon ; go into the Fields and 
 Vineyards to behold the V'ines flourifh, and bear Grapes. 
 Sodom engenders wanton Idiencfs, and faiKies herfelf amia- 
 ble. Thb is the Delirium ihe labours under; ihe fancies 
 herfelf to be as fair as the Rofes, and like the Lillies in the 
 Valleys, tho' there is nothing but Loathfomncls and Weeds 
 to be found in her Garden. 
 
 The 
 
 M ll lip Ji|P,|l l il I IIWU I L III MM P I I 
 
iifi 1 1 i-i(igfT1ri I 
 
 [81] 
 
 The Vi R G I n's Epiftle, writ in Canaan^ 
 direded to her Brother in Sodom. 
 
 Dear Brother^ 
 
 YO U tell me of the Profperlty you enjoy ; provided it be 
 crowned with Virtue, that is more valuable than all 
 other Pofleffions. What are the AfHiicnces of Life fe* 
 parated from true Piety ? Riches are but Shadows, fooh 
 vanifhed and gone. Convey your Thoughts to Canaan. 
 Oiler Sacrifices to Jefus: Keep to divine Duties. If 
 we part with them, we crucify our Faith; the End 
 centers in Anxiety. The Breach cf divine Preccpti 
 is the way to Mifcry. We then bewilder ourfelvcs in 
 winding and intricate Mazes: Wc are loft in Coniiifion^ 
 and exird from divine Providence. The State of Guilt 
 puts the Mind in Pain, but ferious Reflections give the Vicvr 
 of Happinefs. What makes the laft End of Man terrible, 
 the looking back upon paft A£lions. SodoiA^ in which you 
 inhabit, is a City of Calamity. The Great and Powerful 
 feel the Angulfh of Envy and Ambition: The Poor and 
 Needy meet with crofs Blows of Fortune. Rocks lie in 
 the way to (hipwreck the Soul. Make your Retn?at to 
 Caziaafty the Port of Happinefs on this Side the Grave. 
 In this Courfe there are no Quickfands, no Precipices, no 
 Dangers nor Eddies to fink you In cndlefs Miferics. 
 
 / remain your (kar Si/ler* 
 From Abraham*^ Houfe 
 in Canaan, 
 
 The Copy of a Letter writ in So^ 
 dom by the Virgin's Sifter, direded 
 to Abrahams Houfe in Canaan. 
 
 Dear Sifter^ 
 
 I Live in full Pofleflion of Plenty, and inhabit in a f!ate* 
 ly Pile ; but ever fince you went on your Progrefs, I 
 pafs my Days in Sorrow, and am as a Stranger in the 
 
 L World. 
 
XS2] 
 
 World. When T awake in the NIghf, I gu(h out in 
 Showers of Tears, becaufe I went not with you to Ca»* 
 Tiaan to be inftru£ied in divine Principles. I am now ro- 
 ftrained, and cannot come to you, being enter'd into a 
 Marriage State. When I was a Virgin, I thought to en- 
 joy a thoufand SatisfucHJons in Converfation of a Man. . 
 Now thofe Iccas are vanished. I an-* as a Bond-Slave 
 chained to a Galley, conftrained to fpend my Days in Con- 
 verfe with my Spoufe's Concubines: If 1 caft a Frown to- 
 wards any of them, I am fure to receive private Refent- 
 ment. The only Entertainment I ha\'e, is to look upon 
 your Pidure in my Parlour. But that f leafing Image foon 
 difappears, as knowin;^ it is not the leal Frefence. It is a me- 
 lancholy refle£iion to me to think, that we live as in fepa- 
 rate Iflanis. I am like J^ajn alone in the Garden before 
 Eve recciverl a Being. I have neither the Company nor 
 ConverfaiJon of my Spoufe Day or Night, but when he is 
 intoxicated Vi-irh Wine, or fatiatcd his Defires. with his 
 Courtezans. Thefe Scenes I pafs thro gh in the Tents of 
 Sodom^ now in the Bloom of Youth. O that I had kept 
 myiclf a Maid, turned Pilgrim, and go.^e to Abroham^% 
 Houfe, to fing divine Hymns in that Temple of Saints. 
 Let Virgins lay this Epiltle before their Admirers, to let 
 them kiiOvv how falfe they are. Let married Women alfo 
 j-ead this LefTon, as often as their Conforts break through 
 the Vows and Proteilations of that Love and Kindnefb they 
 made before the ceremonial Knot was tied. This may be 
 of Service to our Sex in the City of Sodom crowded with 
 treacherous Men, whofe Emulations wander after lewd and 
 liccntiotjs Harlots, with Hatred in the Heart to their Con- 
 forts, though ever fo virtuous, beautiful, chafle, and inno* 
 cent. 
 
 '. I remain your forrowful Siflcr in Tears^now in Sodom. 
 
 Manu- 
 
Manufciipts direfted from Canaan to 
 the City of Sodom. 
 
 Signed by Felix the Student, and the Virgin at 
 Abrabam\ Houfc. 
 
 PRESENT, 
 
 The Defcendants of Mofes^ Aaron^ the Pro- 
 phets, the Apoftlcs, and the Evangelifts. 
 
 TOE LIX open'd the Aflembly : Says he, the Element, 
 •*• the Earth, the Sea, the Air, will awake and execute 
 divine Wrath. I look upon SGdom as an Ifland ripe for 
 Dcftrudion : not one bright Star to be fecn in her Hemif- 
 phere. She is to be viewed as Noah did the old World, 
 threatned with Deftruftion: the Clouds feem to gather 
 every-where. O that the wifer Inhabitants would prepare 
 for themfelves an Ark of Safety to flee to, at the breaking in 
 of the Deluge. At this Speech the Virgin rofe up ; fays 
 fhe, ever fince my Arrival in Canaan^ I weep in fecret for 
 the Sins of Sodom, My Eyes diftil Tears, and run down 
 as Showers, when I think of her now in Captivity. Then 
 the Student fjwke in the Language of David the Royal 
 Prophet ; faid he, A'ly Flejh tremhles^ and I am afraid of 
 God's Judgments^ left the Arm of his Vengeance (hould dc- 
 ftroy the Ifland of my Birth. O whither (hall the Mifcra- 
 bly fly when the Inundation comes, and all perifh, either 
 in Floods of Water, Streams of Blood, or Flames of Fire. 
 O that Nature may not fall into Convulfions, as fhe did in 
 former Ages, to execute divine Wrath upon Kingdoms 
 and States for their Blafphemies and Infidelities. Says the 
 Virgin, I will deliver fome Inftances out of Records. In 
 the Year One thoufand four hundred and fifty-fix, upon 
 the fifth of December^ three Hours before Day, the whole 
 Kingdom of A^^^/« trembled with that Violence, that fomc 
 entire Towns were buried in the Earth, and great Part oC 
 many otliers overthrown ; in which fifty-four thoufand Per- 
 fons. Part fwallowed by the Earth, and Part oppreflcd by the 
 Ruins of Buildings, O Jcfus, what Security can Sodom 
 .,~y.* L a .then 
 
[HI 
 
 then look for, when fhe is not fecure of the Earth (he is 
 founded upon ? VVJiat Firmnefs can there be, when the 
 only firm Thing is unftable? From whence may not 
 Death aflauh, if it fprmgs from under our Feet ? 
 
 iv//jr anfwer'd. It is not much if the Earthquake of a 
 whole Kingdom caufe fo great a Ruin, fmce it hath done 
 the fame in one City. Tlie Night in which Mauritius the 
 Emperor was married, three Hours after Sun-fet, the City 
 o( Jntioch quaked in that manner, that moil of the Build- 
 ings were overthrown, and fixty thoufand Corpfes remained 
 buried in her Ruins. 
 
 The Student teply'd. That in the Time of Tiberius 
 twelve of the moft principal Cities of JJia were overthrown 
 and funk in the Earth. And yet more cruel was that in 
 the Time of the Emperor Thcodcfius^ which lafled for fix 
 Months without Intermiffion ; and was fo univerfal, that 
 almoft the whole Circuit of Nature trembled, extending 
 to the CherJonefuSy Alexandria^ Bythiniay Antiochy Hellefponty 
 tlic two Phry^ia^Sy the greateft Part of the Eaft, and many 
 Nations of the Weft. 
 
 Since we are upon thefe Subje£b, fays Pelixy I will 
 mention the Fury of the Sea againft thofe who were far di- 
 fbnt from the Rage of its Waves, and thought themfelves 
 fecure in their own Houfes. Soon after the Death of the 
 Emperor Juliariy wherein not only the Earth trembled, 
 but the Ocean pafs*d over its Limits, as in a fecond Noah\ 
 Deluge, to ijivolve the Frame of Nature, as in the firft 
 Chaos. Ships floated in Alexandria above the loftieft BuiW- 
 ings and Hills : then Ihe returned to her own ChanneL 
 But in this Inundation many Veflels remained upon Moun- 
 tains and Rocks. 
 
 Here the Student delivered himfelf as an Oracle ; fays he, 
 I have read the Records of mofl Nations in their native 
 Language. In the Days of Procopius the Tyrant, the 
 twenty-firfl ofjufyy the Year wherein Valentinian was firft 
 time Conful with his Brother, the Elements throughout 
 the whole Compafs of the Globe fuddenly fell into fuch 
 Diftempers, as neither true Stories have ever mentioned, 
 nor falfe feigned. A little before Break of Day, the Ele- 
 ments being firft overcaft with a dark Tempeft, intermix- 
 ed with frequent Thunder and Flafhes of Lightning. The 
 whole Body of Nature moved ; and the Sea being violent- 
 ly driven back, retired in fuch manner, as the moft hidden 
 Bottom of it was difcover'd, fo as many known forts of 
 Fiihes were fcen ftretched out upon the Mud. Thofe vaft 
 
[ 85 1 
 
 Profundities behoWIng then the Sun, 'srhom Nature from 
 the Beginning of the World had hid under fo immenfe a 
 Mafs of Waters, many Ships remained upon the Oufe, or 
 floating in fmall Gullets. 
 
 The Virgin, in the Words of a moral Heathen, (aid. 
 Our Gods are angry; the Sun, the Moon and the Sta« 
 fight againft Kingdoms and States for their Offences. 
 What Judgments lefs than thefe can Sodom expedi, thejr 
 threatened her Temples with Deftrudlion. Says the Vir- 
 gin, Nature hath heretofore lifted up her Fury againft the 
 Iflands, and far extended Coafts of the Continent, and 
 what Cities or Buildings (he encountcr*d were violently 
 overthrown; infomuch as the Face of the World once 
 fcemed to be changed by the Difcords of Nature, which 
 have produced unlieard-of Prodigies. The Ocean hath 
 feveral times exceeded her Bounds, and entered for into 
 tlie Land ; and after her Swellings have been afluaged, 
 thoufands of dead Bodies were found, fomc with their Fa- 
 ces downward groveling upon the Earth, fome upwards 
 looking upon the Heavens, as it happened in Alexandria, 
 
 The noble Grecians^ at the Turks coming before the City 
 of CoTjJiantinopIe to befiege it, could not deliver themfelvet 
 with more Eloquence and Strength of Argument than Fe^ 
 Ux did upon thefe Occafions. He went on with the Hi- 
 ftory of paft Ages ; fays he, in one thoufand two hundred 
 and eighteen, the enraged Billows enter*d into Phrygta^ 
 and there were drowned in the Fields, and in their Houfcs, 
 more than a hundred thoufand People. And after this the 
 Ocean re-entring the fame Province, retired not till it had 
 left eighty thoufand Men, Women and Children drowned 
 behind it. 
 
 At thefe Speeches the Virgin wept; and in ai| 
 Extafy of Sorrow faid, O Infinite Being, how terrible 
 are thefe InflaiKes of thy Wrath for Sodom to read. O 
 that (he would confider what Scenes the Convulfions of 
 Nature a£led in the Year One thoufand five hundred and 
 nine, the Day of the Exaltation of the Crofs in September^ 
 the Ocean betwixt Conflaniinople and Per-u fwelled with 
 that Rage and Fury, that it paUcd over the Walls of both 
 Cities, and there were drowned only of Turks in CGfiJfanti* 
 nople above thirteen thoufand. 
 
 The Student anfwer'd ; fays he, I will go yet further: 
 The Atlantick Ifland, feated in that fpacious Ocean betwixt 
 Spain and the JVeJi-Indies^ and which was a greater Part of 
 |he World than Afia and Africa both together, replcniihed 
 - .1. with 
 
■^^^.^. ..^^,.^.^^.^-A..^^.^::.^j.^^^^..^y^^^^: ;...,., ,.^_ ..^ w>:y.|.^;:.. 
 
 [ 86 ]• 
 
 with innumerable People, was by the Ram of only one Day 
 and Night, in which the Elements, as it were, melted 
 tliemfeives into Water, and deftroyed all the Inhabitants, 
 none ever having fmce appeared. 
 
 At this the Virgin wept, as a Woman who had loft her 
 FiriVborn, and I'ecn all her Inheritance in Flames. What, 
 fays fhe, cnnnot Gcd do? What Judgment does not Sodom 
 deferve? Cannot the Fcrce of the Elements, the Trem- 
 bling of tl e Earth, the Raging of the Ocean, the Storms 
 of Hiiil and Rain, fight againft Man in thb laft Age of the 
 World ? Cannot God extend his Fury even all over £«- 
 ropf, JJIa, Africa and America^ for their Infidelity, for the 
 Breach of his divine Laws? 
 
 Felix with a Stoick Gravity concluded the Conference; 
 faid. Nature can never keep within its Limits, when the 
 Deity hath commanded it to fight againft Cities, Towns 
 and Villages. If he arms againft any particular People, 
 and gives tiie Alarm to execute his Vengeance for their In- 
 gratitude for his infinite Benefits, they muft unavoidably 
 periih. 
 
 Felix tlic Student and the Virgin having thus dellver'd 
 their Thoughts to the Aflembly at Abraham!s Houfe in Ca* 
 naatiy they fat down, and the whole Body remained in a 
 profound Silence for near an Hour, as being ftruck with 
 Amazement at what may fall upon Sodcm for her repeated 
 Tranfgrefhons, if (he doth not confider. The next Day 
 the Aflembly met again in folemn manner in the Chapel, 
 and kept the Day as a Faft, In the Evening Abraham^ Sa- 
 rah and Jfaac rofc up, and gave in their Opinion of Na- 
 ture in Convulfions. Says Abrahaniy The Air in which we 
 live and breatiie, though it be an Element fweet and gentle, 
 yet God can draw Force out of Weaknefs. The Wind 
 hath torn up whole Woods by the Roots, and tranfported 
 Trees to diliant Places. In the Year One thoufand five 
 hundred and I'even, at Midnight, there arofe fuch a Tera- 
 peft in Germany^ that the ftrongeft Buildings fhakcd, Hou- 
 fes were uncover*d. Trees rooted up and removed from their 
 Station. Henry the Vlth being Emperor, he himfelf faw 
 Beams of Timber blown from the Roof of the chief Church 
 in Mentz^ as big as the Beams of a Winc-Prefs, and of 
 heavy Wood, a< Oak, flying in the Air. 
 
 Sorch, Abraharfii Wife, being in Showers of Tears, in 
 a low Voice dehver*d herfelf thus : fays (he. My Soul is 
 ©ppreiN'd, It is overwhelmed within mc, only by reading 
 the Antiquities of Jofephusy and EuJ'eb, Pnep, kvani, ii» 
 
 whicft 
 
 . ■ t : ^UMJ^iililTJ iagitWBpwplp l l. l j ..■.)/,J l ipg»t. i ,*W< l ijL-.j P» ^l.,-Mj i jiy t mj |. wiiw 
 
•p,:.^..^^^i.^^^....,JB^,: 
 
 -'^rf'T^'-^-iib III! HI iiiiifi iinrtfiiiimiriiirri ■ 
 
 C 87 ] 
 
 which It is recorded, that the Tower of Bah) iofiy which 
 was tl^e moft ilrong and prodigious Building of the Worlds 
 was overthrown with a Tempeft, ^and the Flocks and 
 Herds of the Egyptians deftroyed by Lightning. O may 
 not fuch divine Wrath fail upon Sodomy that City which 
 now glories in her Strength and Beauty. 
 
 1 hen Ifaac the Son oi Abraham anfwer'd : I am aYouth, 
 in my tender Years : I have read of a Storm of Hail that 
 fell, and flew innumerable Amorites, And in the Campa-^ 
 nia of Bologna there fell Stones of twenty-eight Pounds 
 Weight. Olaus Magnus writes, that in the North Hail 
 fell as big as the Head of a Man. And the Tripartite Hi- 
 flory fays, there happened fuch a Tempeft in Conjiantino- 
 pUy which {hatter*d the whole Oty. 
 
 Abraham told his Son Ifaac^ that in Scythia People were 
 ftruck dead only with the Noife of Thunder. It was fa 
 loud and piercing, that thofe who efcaped liid them (elves ia 
 fecret Places to avoid the Calamity. 
 
 Says Sarah y though my Soul is overwhelmed, yet I muft 
 draw a Scene ftill more clear. Thefe Alterations, fays 
 fhe, are not parallel with what the Battel will be unto tne 
 World, when the Heavens fhall flioot its Arrows,, and de- 
 clare its Wrath. St. Gregory the Great writes, as an Eye- 
 witnefs^ that in a Peftilence at Romey he faw Arrows vifi- 
 bly fall from the Element, which ftruck Perfons dead. 
 . In the Time of Irene and Conjiantine, the Sun was 
 darken'd for feventeen Days together. And in the Time 
 oiVeJpnfiany the Sun and Moon did not appear for the 
 Space of twenty Days. And the Time will come, when 
 the Sun ftiall hide her Beams under a mourning Garment, 
 and the Moon cloath hcrfclf \x\ Sackcloth and Blood, to fig- 
 nify the Wars which all Creatures are to. make againft 
 thofe who dcfpifed their Creator. The Earth fliail raife 
 itfelf up againft Man, and fliake him off, as unwilling to 
 endure his Burthen any longer. The Sea will purfuc and 
 affault the Inhabitants: Neither (hall the Air permit them 
 to be fafe in their Houfes, or in the Fields. Then the 
 Cry will be. Hide us, ye Mountains and Hills, within 
 your Cliffs. But this is rather to be imagin'd than expref- 
 fed. The very Thought is enough to make Sodom trem* 
 ble. Dumb Creatures groan to fee themfelves abufed by 
 Cruelty and Barbarity \ yet what is this to the Injuries 
 done to the Creator of all Beings \ 
 
 Says Ifaacy if we enquire into the Divine Eflcnce, we 
 iball iind Inflapces of the Deft(u^on occafion*d by t^ie 
 V v'w» Coavul- 
 
 mmmmmmmmKmm>mmmmmmim 
 
id««wiittiA«iitoii 
 
 tiiiiirtriiiiii ri , m^ 
 
 [88 1 
 
 Convulfions of Nature. The Sun will be totally eclipfcd, 
 the Moon roll in Blood, the Stars fall upon the Earth, as a 
 Fig-tree that cafts off its green Figs when fhaken by vio- 
 lent Winds ; the Elements will be folded up as a Book, or 
 as a Roll of Parchment ; the Mountains and Hills will 
 move from their Places, and be no more. 
 
 O my God, fays Sarah, how are my Spirits funk at 
 thcfe Ledures! Sodom, will not a Day come, when thy 
 Kings and Princes, the Rich and the Strong, Slaves and 
 Freemen, will endeavour to hide in Caves and Rocks, in 
 Dens and Grottos, to skrecn them from the Fury of the 
 Elements ? Then Iflands will be vanifliedj and the Moun- 
 tains be levell*d with the Plains.. How will thefe Trem- 
 blings aflonifh thofe that are then alive, and did not travel 
 as Pilgrims to jibraham^ Houfe in Canaan ? Will not Ri- 
 vers come as a mighty Inundation and Deluge. 
 
 Thefe Defcriptions feemcd to overwhelm Sarah. In 
 the Extremity of Thought, fays fhe, then nothing can a- 
 vail but Virtue and Innocency : all bcfides that will perifli. 
 What will it profit the Mifer, or the Wealthy, to be in 
 FofTeflion of Vefiels of Gold and Silver, curious Embroi- 
 deries, rich Tapeftries, flowr}' Gardens, fhady Groves, 
 lofty Palaces, and all what Mortals now count precious? 
 They .will fee their coftly Moveables confumed, tlieir In- 
 gots of Drofs melted, their Grotto's and Bowers burnt with 
 the Heat of the Elements. The World will expire and 
 die, the Memory of Man will perilhj Kings wiil no long- 
 er wear Diadems, nor Emperors grafp Scepters ; Divines 
 will no longer be cited in Council, nor Tribunals ere<Sed 
 to encircle Tyrants with maffy Crowns. 
 
 Then fays Ahraham, No more fhall Plato be read a- 
 mong the Learned, nor Cicero imitated by the Orators. 
 No more (hall Seneca be admir'd by the Underflanding, nor 
 Alexander extoll'd amongft the great Generals of the Age. 
 Vi<S^ories and Grandeur fhall be named no more. Vain 
 Man ! Memorials of Splendor will then be extingui(h*d, 
 and remember*d no more. What will become of that Sta- 
 tue of mafiy Gold, which Gorgias the Leontin placed in 
 Delpbos to eternize his Name, and that of Gubion in Romtj 
 and that of Borofsus, with the golden Tongue in Athens ^ 
 Sixty Statues were erected by the Athenians unto Democri^ 
 tus Phalariasy for having governed their Commonwealth 
 for ten Years with great Virtue and Prudence, But of (b 
 little Continuance were thofe Trophies, that the very Em- 
 blems which were raifed by Gratitude, were foon after de> 
 
 itroyc^ 
 
[ 89 ] 
 
 ftroycd by Envy ; and he himfelf, who faw his Statues fet 
 up in fo great a Number, faw them alfo pulled down: but 
 he ftill retained this Comfort, which Chriftians may learn 
 from him, that beholding how they threw his Images to 
 the Ground, he could ^y at laft, they cannot overthrow 
 ihofe Virtues for which they were creded. 
 
 Says Sarahy If they were true Virtues, Democrttus Pho" 
 iaris faid well ; for thofe neither Time can demoliih, nor 
 human Power deftroy; and which is more, the divine 
 Power v/ill not, in the general Deftru^ion of the World, 
 cxtinguifh : they (hall be preferved in eternal Memory, 
 
 Says l/aacy Charity and Chriftian A£ts (hall not end 
 with the World ; but all other Triumphs will expire. ,The 
 Trophies exhibited by the Roman Captains,, when they 
 conquered mighty and powerful Kings, lailed but a while. 
 There are few now, who know that Metellus triumphed 
 over King Jugurthay Jquikius over King Ariftmtcusy At" 
 tilius over King JntiochuSy Marcus Jnionius over the King 
 of Armenia y Pompey over King Mithr'tdateSy Ariftobulus 
 and H'tarchui Emelius over King PerfeuSy and the £mpe» 
 ror Aurelius over Ceenobia the Queen of the Palrurenu 
 
 Says Abrahamy Few know this now, but dumb Books 
 ftnd dead Papers. When they end, what will then become 
 of their Memories? How many Libraries and Hiftoric* 
 have Fire confumed, and are no more known than if thejr 
 had never been written. No A<3 can be done or framed 
 to make the Memory of Man immortal* 
 
 Sarah anfwered ; {ays {he, Artjlrahocus wrote near a thou- 
 (and Commentaries on (everal Subje£fe, of which not one 
 Line now remains. Crip/ius wrote two hundred Volumes, 
 and at prefent not one Leaf is extant. Theophrajlm com^ 
 piled near two hundred, and fcarce three or four remain, 
 Dionyfius Grammaticus writ upon three thoufand five hun- 
 dred Subjeds, and not one Page now appears. Trifmegifiut 
 ftudied three thoufand five hundred Difcourfes; and all' 
 ttofe are as if he had not writ a Letter. The four or five 
 little and imperfe£l Treatifes, which pafs under his Name, 
 are none of his Compofitions. 
 
 Says Ifaacy Thus the Memorials in Paper expire ia 
 Space of Time ; and fo will Tables of Marble and Statues 
 of Brafs. What is now become of thofe prodigious Am- 
 phitheatres which Stabulus Taurus raifed of Stone ? Wei* 
 they not all confumed in the Time of Nero f Romty which 
 may be called the original City in the whole World, what 
 Lamentatioiij ^erc there when it burnt for ievea Days to- 
 
 M either/ 
 
[9o] 
 
 gcther ? What Shrieks were heard in Troy when it was 
 wholly confuxned ? What Aftonifhment was there in Pe» 
 n f pelts y when thofe Cities werQ deftroyed, and all the In- 
 habitants periftied ? What Weeping was there in JerufaUm^ 
 when the Jews beheld their Temple deftroyed. 
 
 Thefe Ledures of divine Wrath even pierced the Soul of 
 Sarah : (he wept as a Child, and faid, Now I fee nothing 
 can skreen Man from the Deity's Anger. This calls to 
 my mind, fays Ijaac^ what happened in a late Age, when 
 Lightning from Heaven fell upon Stockbolmy the capital 
 City of Sweden^ and burnt to death above one thoufand fix 
 hundred Pcrfons ; befides an innumerable Multitude of 
 Women and Children, who hoped to efcapc the Fire by 
 Land, fled into Ships at Sea, but overcharging them, they 
 were all drown*d. Who can conceive what thofe People 
 felt at the inftant they faw their Houfes and Goods confu- 
 med, and no probability of faving them ? The Husbands 
 •heard the Shrieks and Cries of their dying Wives, the Fa- 
 thers of their Children, who unawares perceiving themfelves 
 fo encompafs'd with Flames, that they could neither releafe 
 them, nor free themfelves from Death. The Anguifli 
 that pofltrfTed the Souls of thofe unfortunate Mortals are 
 not to be exprefled, when they, to avoid the Fury of the 
 Fire, were forced to truft themfelves to the no lefs cruel 
 Waves ; for by their own over-hafty Crowding and In- 
 difcrction, they faw their Ships overwhelmed ; and, com- 
 pelled to efcape the Burning of their City, to ftruggle with 
 the Water ; and that which way foever they turned, they 
 perilhed ; Dtath ftill followed them, and was certain to 
 itrikc his deilrudive Darts, and put a Period to their Mi- 
 fery. 
 
 Thefe Scenes were drawn by the Pilgrims at AhraharrC% 
 Houfe in Canaan^ to put Sodcm in mind of what may be- 
 (kl her liland, and put a Period to her Exiflencc. 
 
 The 
 
 ^ .... . . ■ 
 
The Vi R G I n's Brother's Memorial, 
 dire(9:ed to Caiiaan^ upon his turn- 
 ing Pilgrim. 
 
 DearStfier^ 
 
 I Received yours with great Joy: The Contents hava 
 brought me to Jefus. I have left my Poflcffions, and 
 am now on my Progrefs to jibrahanCs Houfe. Nature in 
 Convulfions drawn up in Canaan, is now arriv'd in Sodcm^ 
 and publifli'd. The Contents are the Subjed in cveiy Con- 
 verfation. The Serious cry out. Let us fee from thelVrath 
 to comey and efcape divine Indignation, For my part, I 
 have left the World : Sodom is in a Storm. No Peace nor 
 Solitude there. The Ifland is fubjed to Plagues, Pefti- 
 lence and Famine. The Rich and the Strong opprefs Wi- 
 dows and Orphans. Virtue and Innocence arc ccnfur'd, 
 and Atheifm and V^ice recommended. Out of Sodcm are 
 Emblems of Paradife ; the Birds fing, the Doves murmur, 
 and the Winds whifper ; the Woods, the Fields, and the 
 Flocks, are agreeable Scenes to high-born Minds. Ideas, 
 that tranfport the Thoughts to God. In Solitude we fee 
 the Dew of the Morning, the Showers at Noon, and the 
 Shades of the Evening. Every Year produces a new 
 Spring ; Nature recovers her Beauty ; (he reprefents Scenes 
 that rejoice the Soul. An Abfence from fuch Sights is a 
 Banifhment from what is innocent. Entertainments in a 
 crowded City are empty, pcrifliing Vanities. The Blof- 
 foms and Fruits of the Earth appear there in dim Lights j 
 the Sun fcts in Clouds of Smoke, and rifes encircled with 
 Mifts ; rural Retreats are look'd upon in Sodom as barren 
 Defarts, Views reprefcnting the dark Side* of Nature. Ob- 
 fcenity and brutal Delights are their Thoughts and Dreams, 
 The Pilgrim's Progrefs to Canaan are Emblems of the invi- 
 lible Regions, Profpe6ls of cryftal Rivers and Trees of Life, 
 In Sodom^ Plays, Operas and Mafquerades are the Night 
 Diverfions. The Beauties of the Creation appear there as 
 the Sun eclipfed. Divine Contemplations are as Prifons 
 and Chains to them. Was the Spring in its Bloom to be 
 hid from my Eyes, what could I then (ee but Lewdncfe a(it- 
 ed in crowded Cities ; Blafphemy and Prophancnefs, Pre- 
 paratives to endlefs Pain ; Agonies of Defpair, Nights fe- 
 cludcd from the Sight and Prefence"x)f an infinite Effencc • 
 .._ M» ' A 
 
[92] 
 
 A Memorial : Writ in Canaan^ di- 
 reded to Sodom. 
 
 Upon ATHEISM. 
 
 Similitudes are beautiful Scenes if drawn to the Life, 
 What is worfe than Infidelity infufed in Man, the very 
 Image of God } Athcifm facrifices every Virtue. Now it 
 reigns in Triumph, and runs like mighty Floods ; th© 
 Creature denies his Creator ; he traverfes the Globe to gain 
 Profclytes, and a<Sb within the Shadow of Darkncfs. This 
 Serpent poifons the Mind, and would extinguifli the very 
 Being <^^ 3, Deity, He ac^ in Policy ; converfes not with 
 Men of Reafon and found Judgment : his Companions are 
 weak and vicious, neither willing nor capable of confuting 
 his Infidelity. I view an Atheiit in Time of his Health, 
 as a diftraded Creature ; at the Hour of Death, I fee him 
 in Agonies of Defpair. . He then weeps and prays, trem- 
 bles ai> an Afpin Leaf, and cries as a Child in the Cradle. 
 His Life I defcrlbe as a Criminal j he never repents till he 
 comes to the Tree of Execution. TK* Serpent that be- 
 guiled Eve in Paradife was no Atheift ; he believed in his 
 Creator: But our modern Infidels deny their God, till 
 they come to breathe their laft. They go their Progreflcs 
 through the World; arc fatal to Youth, and mifguided 
 Mind> ; they overturn their Faith, and they alfo periih in 
 the Do<5lrine of Atheifm. Thefe young Agents, thus ca- 
 techiztd in Infidelity, are feen in Sodom at this Day, infu- 
 fmj. their Venom, and feeking "whom they may betray of 
 their own Species. Thus the very Being of an tnhnit^ 
 Creator, the Original of all, is now called in queftion; and 
 the prefent Age are for ereding a Tribunal of their own. 
 That there is no God, -no Refurredion, nor future State. 
 As in the Beginning, all Nature fulFer'd by the Fall of our 
 firft Parents ; fo in this living Generation, all fufFer by the 
 Spirit of Infidelity : it runs in Streams throughout the 
 Iflands of the Earth. 
 
 The Atheift converfes with his Pupil, as Jdam did with 
 £vg after he had eaten the forbidden Fruit. He told her, 
 that (he appear'd more charming and defirable than (he had 
 ever done before, even when their Love was at the higheft. 
 
 AtheiiJzi 
 
Atheifm IS as an infc£led Sicknefs or PIngufc in i populom 
 Gitv ; fweeps ofF Numbers without Diftindion. 
 
 I have drawn thcfe Lines to defcribe Sin and Death, Vir- 
 tue and Life. In thai Inftant our Morals are corrupted 
 with Infideh'ty, we travel in the crooked Path that leads to 
 cndlefs Pain, immaterial Infedion, and material Deftrudli- 
 on. Thus Soul and Body perifli in both Worlds in the 
 State of Athdihi. 
 
 V "^ 
 
 Tk 
 
WZ/i^/^</^9A 
 
 ^e JJlands THiurn, 
 the Kirg Jits in 
 Silence f the Prin- 
 ect of the Bl'^d 
 figb and pci 
 Tears, 
 
 t/iiVb^^W 
 
 [94] 
 
 W)WZ/b^)^ 
 
 The Female" t Tbront 
 is vacant : The 
 fTife, the Great, 
 the Gocdy the Juft 
 arJl the Divine is 
 dead I Jbt^ll bt M 
 
 cy^w^^c/?ty» 
 
 Authendck SPEECHES 
 
 And Divine SAYINGS 
 
 Of Queen MART and CAROLINA 
 in Publick Converfation, in Seleft Compa- 
 nies, and in their Private Retirements. 
 
 Abraham % Memorial to Sodom for the Lofs of 
 her two righteous Lots^ who have changed 
 fading Crowns for bright Diodems in Glory. 
 
 TH O' I am an Inhabitant in Canaan^ I have had Op- 
 portunities of obferving the Scenes of thefe Princes 
 Reigns. Their Crowns were encircled with the highcft 
 Inftances of Virtue and great Qualities. They thought 
 themfelves iiot fuperior to the relt of their Sex. Thefe 
 noble Minds fo demeaned themfelves, that whatever En- 
 dowments they were pofTefs'd with, not to value themfelves 
 upon aay, but fuch as every Perfon may arrive at. Thefe 
 righteous LoU look'd upon no Perfon any further, than for 
 his publick Spirit, Jullicc and Integrity. Other Enc?ow- 
 ments they eftecmed only as they contributed to the exert- 
 ing thofe Virtues. Such (if they be wife) know it is of no 
 Confidcratipn that they are fo, but as they employ thofe 
 high Talents for the publick Service. Crowned Heads, 
 who affect the Applaufcs and Addrefles of a Multitude, or 
 
 aFume 
 
C95l 
 
 aflume to themfelves a Superiority upon any other Gonfide- 
 ration, muft foon turn Praifc into Contempt. It is cer- 
 tain, that there can be no Merit in any Perfon in Power 
 that is not confcious of it; but the Senfe (that it is valuable 
 only according to the Apph'cation of it) makes that Superio- 
 rity amiable, which would oiherwife be the Rever/c. In 
 this Light it is confidcred as a Point in which every Mo- 
 narch bears a Share. N th'ng but Virtue and great A£tiont 
 fix the Idea of Dignity, Power and Glory. In thcfe Prin- 
 cefles it was eminent and moft confpicuous. £yery Man 
 is naturally inclined to indulge his Curiofity in beholding 
 fuch excellent Examples, from which he forms fomething 
 in common with himfelf. Such Endowments, fuch Pcr- 
 fe«Slions give Delight in beholding the Image or the Tomb 
 of fuch Perfonages, be they living, or tranflated to the Re- 
 gions of Light. I took it from my own Thought, and 
 an Ad of Gratitude, to write the Charaders of Maty anid 
 Carcljnay who were the Ornaments of Europe, My Pen 
 cannot defcribe the jufl Characters of thefeilJuftricus Wo- 
 men. It is impolTible to be done ; their Merits were too 
 refined to be drawn by any Pencil. The then reigning 
 Monarchs refpeded their Names. 
 
 Have not the Turhjh and Pcrfian Nations recorded in 
 their Annals the Memories of Mary and Carolina f Do not 
 tht Britijh Iflands at this Day mourn in Silence for the Ab- 
 fence of their pious Examples ? Every Ad of their Lives 
 was mix'd with a particular Grace, a becoming and beau- 
 tiful Air. No Queen fmce the Creation exceeded their Vir- 
 tues, Charity, Humanity, and Condud. Their Ideas 
 were glorious ; they feemcd more divine than natural. This 
 was the innate Difpofition of their Minds. They fuffered 
 the Prefence of much Company to oblige, more than to 
 fatisfy any Curiofity they themfelves had of being popular. 
 In bad Events their Thoughts were never tumultuous, noc 
 feen to rife above their Spliere. In Spring Tides of Pro(pe- 
 rity, the Splendor of Pomp and Magnificence made no 
 Change in their Souls. In Times of War they were ne- 
 ver affeded in any publick Affairs, further than in confi- 
 dering the propereft Ends, to make their People glorious, 
 and extricate their Kingdoms out of Danger. They had 
 -the ftrongeft Incenrives to uncommon Enterprizes in their 
 Sex ever known before. It was cafy to obfervc in them 
 the Juftice, Affability, and good Senfe of the moft refined 
 politicians* In Vi^iTy lojO^ce of Life^ their Minds werr 
 
 . . .. cap^Wi 
 
capaWe of being entertained with divine Contemp!atioil% 
 and glorious Enterprizes. O imperious Death, not to fpare 
 one of theie Lives till I died ! Carolina came into theWorld 
 after my Birth. Crud Tyrant ! why didft thou not let 
 that precious Life reign after I was entomb*d in my Sepul* 
 chre ? I want Words to tell the World what IVilliam and 
 George y and thefc Iflands loft, when Mary and Carolina 
 rendered up their Crowns and Sceptres to Deftiny. But 
 they are gone to reign with their Jefus in more bright 
 Regions. I muft remember, that in this Vale their Ad* 
 drefles were eafy without AffciSlation ; their Behaviour in 
 Aflemblies humble and gracious, mix'd with an Afpe£^ of 
 Virtue and Majefty ; their Looks had fomcthing fublime, 
 that did not feem to arife from their high Birth, Quality 
 and Character, but the innate Difpofition of their Souls. 
 Their natural Genius was fo quick, that they never gave 
 an Opportunity of asking for deferved Favours, but grant- 
 ed the Petitions out of their own Generofity and good Na- 
 ture. Their Wifdom, their high Perfections and Endow- 
 ments banifli'd all vain Glory and Ambition from before 
 their Eyes. They had nothing in them but what was 
 beautiful and commendable. The higher their Station, tlic 
 more lowly they condefcended, even fo as to be familiar 
 with the meaneft Vaflals. Their Merits were numerous, 
 not to be now equalled in this, nor paft Ages. Here I muft 
 fhed a Tear, and ftay a while, to view the Monuments of 
 thefe two illuftrious Queens of blefled Memory, whom I 
 once faw lie embalmed in their royal Palaces, furrounded 
 with a noble Train of Maids of the greateft Honour, 
 whofe folemn Drefs made them appear more like Saints 
 newly come down from the heavenly Manfions, than La- 
 dies of an earthly Court. The lofty Rooms were over- 
 fpread with dark Veils of black Cloth, and the dim Lights 
 that caft their glimmering Rays from every Sconce made fi> 
 fad a Shew, as to draw Sighs from the Heart, and Teats 
 from the Eyes of the mournful Beholders j who were c»- 
 tremely aggrieved to fee their deceafed Sovereigns laid in 
 Coffins covered with rich Palls, in Rooms hung with Vel- 
 vet, attended by the Yeomen of their own Guards, arrayed 
 more like Bearers of the Dead, than the Servants of Princes, 
 A melancholy Sight to behold the Corpfcs of illuftrious So- 
 vereigns, who but few Days before their Deraife were feca 
 in the Land of the Living in per fed Health, inftru^in^ 
 their Sublet how to prepare for a blefled Duiauon by the 
 ^k>rlous jtxamples of ibeir unfpotced Reigns, 
 
iiriiiriifriiit*'' 
 
 C 97 ] ^ 
 
 O my Jefus ! O my God ! Was it not the Iniquities of 
 Grsat Britain and Ireland^ that cut ofF the Thread of thcfe 
 valuable Lives even in the Bloom ? Might not they, by their 
 auftere living, have furvived the Period of fourfcore ? For 
 our Offences it was, that their Races were fo foon run, 
 and their noble Perfonages obliged to lie in ftately Silence, 
 void of Motion, Pulfe or Breath, as publick Monitors of 
 Mortality to the numerous Crouds that came to lament the 
 Deaths of their deceafed Sovereigns. Thefc melancholy 
 Scenes were prefented in the Palaces of Somerfet-Houfe and 
 St. yamefs', from whence thefe Royal Obfequies were con» 
 \eytd in the Clofe of the Evening to the y/^%-Chur«h, 
 with all the fllent Pomp and profound Veneration that 
 could be fhewn to the Aflies of thefe excellent Images, 
 What added moft to the Mournfulne(s of the Solemnity, 
 was the Streams of Tears that flow'd from the Eyes of the 
 innumerable Multitude of Spe£htors, who flood like 
 Swarms of Bees in the Streets, in the Galleries and 
 Windows of every Houfe, to bedew their Hearfes with 
 plentiful Showers of brinifli Water ; which being arrived 
 at the Weftern Door, the Bodies were taken out, and laid 
 under Canopies erefled in the Choir, till removed to filent 
 Vaults, where they now lie interr*d, waiting to be call'd 
 in the Morn of the Refurredlion, to be encircled with im- 
 material Scepters and Crowns, more fplendid and glorious 
 than thofe that cither AUxandeVy Cafar^ or any of the 
 Roman Emperors, wiU ever wear, in the fpiritual Regions of 
 Light. Thofe Monarchs mufl bow down their Diadems 
 to thefe female Sovereigns, and give the Pre-emijience to 
 them, as being more virtuous, more jufl^ humb]« and 
 chafte in Life and Adt. 
 
 N 
 
.»a.»^a^......^..; ^-^ .,- ■, ^....„ ---v-.^:^! 
 
 (983 
 
 A PANEGYRICK 
 
 In Memory of Mary and Carolina^ 
 Queens of Great Britain. 
 
 I Am dirpofcd to convey the Thoughts of crowned Heads 
 in View of the Grave, in order for them to make Re- 
 flections on the End of Life ; fo that they may exchange 
 earthly Scepters for glorious Diadems. 
 
 Ye that drink the generous Wine in Remembrance of 
 
 Chrift's Blood, humble your Souls. Mary and Camlina 
 
 ■ are laid in mournful Silence; they hear not the Noife of 
 
 War, the Clafliing of Spears, nor the Cries of Widows 
 
 and Orphans. 
 
 The Illuftrious Q^icens are here recorded, that the Roy- 
 al Family may view their Tombs, and bedew the fcatter- 
 ed Afhcs with Sighs and Tears. Ladies and Virgins of 
 the Britijh Court, come and behold the Sepulchres. Here 
 lie the Royal Images pourtraycd in all the Scenes of Hor- 
 ror. See the Remains of the pcrfe£l Patterns of Humility : 
 Roul away the Sheets of Lead, and furvey all the Parts of 
 their mouldring Bodies. Here are the refulgent Heads up- 
 on which three Crowns once bloomed and flourifced j now 
 there is nothing left but bare Sculls, and a few long Hair& 
 See the Tongues tliat delivered Flowers of Eloquence ; they 
 are witJiercd and diicd. The Lips, out of which pro- 
 ceeded Sentences little inferior to thoie dellver'd by King 
 Solomcn, are mouldering to Duft. Thefe Potentates, who 
 are now anatomized by Death, were once the Darlings of 
 Britain^ the Praife of Europe. Take hold of their Hands, 
 feel how they are fallen away ; the Fingers that were ever 
 averfe, and trembled to fign Sentences of Death even to 
 the vileft Offenders, are now become ftiiF and crooked: 
 they will never take up Pencil more. flThefe dried Bones 
 once outfliined the Glories of the heathen Gods. Thofc 
 Deities will appear Idols to them at the Rifing of the J-uft, 
 Thefe Relic ki lie as good Grain, and will appear with an 
 evtrlalling Increafe. I cannot lay their Memory in Ob- 
 iivion ; I muft indulge my Grief, and chide hafty Deaths 
 that called thefe dear Lives away at a Time the Nations 
 ftood moft in need of their CounfeL BeiK}ld the Change; 
 
 thft 
 
mlwiifliilrumi 
 
 t99] - 
 
 the Flcfh that now feels as cold as Ice, and reiemblcs the 
 new fallen Snow* was once foft, frciQi, and blooming. 
 The Eyes that were fo quick, as to penetrate into tlic 
 inmoft Recedes of the Mind, out of thofe Cafements 
 appear Vermin ; their Winding-Sheets are pierced thro* 
 with a thoufend Breaches, which that vaft Army of 
 Worms made in their gloomy Caverns. O Jefus, 
 what are earthly Crowns, though befet with refplen- 
 dent Jewels; they glitter only for a while like Stars in a 
 clear Night, and difappear in the Morning. Confidcr 
 this, ye Royal Branches; your fublime Thoughts muft 
 fade and perifli ; all will die but the unblemifh'd Virtues of 
 Mary and Carolina, They fhower'd Tears as Fountains 
 and Springs, and liv'd as Pilgrims and Strangers. The 
 Scenes you now behold in their Sepulchre will be (cen in 
 yours. How are their Lineaments alter*d, their Afpech 
 faded, their fine Complexions gone, their Skins dried and 
 ihriveird. Thus the ^haftly Darts will anatomize your 
 Perfons-; your courteous Air and irrefiftiblc Charms 
 will be no more than vanifliing Shadows. Go then be- 
 tween the Tombs ; take a few Turns ; imitate the Egyp* 
 lian^ who retir*d to the Cliffs of the Rocks to be familiar 
 with Death. Pay Homage at the Tomb of Cart)lma\ 
 range in Order all her Royal Progeny. Your High- 
 nefs Prince Frederick^ aiTume an Air of Stoick Gravity 
 in Memory of the Exit of your invaluable - Queen 
 Mother. Prince WilUamy deploic the Lofs of that Vine 
 from whence you fprung; tlie Root is dried and dead. 
 Princefs Royal, bedew with Drops of Sorrow that Monu- 
 ment where (be now lies decypher'd in all the Emblems of 
 Mortality. Serene Virgin Princeii Amelia^ let fall a Tear 
 over the original Clay, the Royal Duft. Princefs Caroli* 
 nay fend your Thoughts to thofe Shades of Oblivion, 
 Princefs of HgJ/}y convey your Siglis to King Henry'% 
 Chapel, where the concealed Particles are hid in Dark- 
 r\tk, Princefs Louifa^ ofFer your Paflions of Grief to 
 thofe Remains that now lie as Seed fpringing up to a ripe 
 Harveft. '^ 
 
 Had (he liv'd to fee the prefcnt Tumults and Wars, what 
 Victories might not have been obtained by her Prayers and 
 Counfel ? But that was not to be : the Righteous is ait ofH 
 Sbe was not to offer Sacrifices to allay the Tcmpeft, aiid. 
 divert the Storms. Q tell it not in Gath, neither let it be 
 puhiiped in the Streets of Afcahn^ that flic and fccr Predcccf- 
 Ibr Queen Mary are gone, who inviolably maintained the 
 • '^ • Ni Churcli 
 
Church as by Law cftablifhed. They rellgioufly kept up 
 to the facred Rights and Privileges, fpiritual and temporal: 
 Stood in the Gap as Walls of Brafs againft Pcrfecu- 
 tlon arid Romljh Force. What I have recited is but a 
 fmall Part of what might be faid of thefe Excellent 
 Queens ; the reft I muft leave to be defcribed by the Pencil 
 of a more ready Writer, but not of a more loyal Subje^ 
 who has fervcd his Prince and Country in many Inftances. 
 
 Thus I have drawn tlie living Examples, and the Ima- 
 ges of Death, of Mary and CaroUna, O that I could 
 have filenced the Tongue that firft told the News that 
 thofe Pious Princcfles were dead. Could I have had 
 my Will, the Voice (hould never have been heard ; it might 
 have been thought, they had retir*d to fome Retreats near 
 filent Streams and Bowers, Emblems of the Virgin in 
 EdiJi. 
 
 In Seventeen Hundred and Five, 
 
 I Writ the A£b of King IFiUiam the Third ; and upon 
 the Dcmife of Q^iecn jinney I drew up Hxty-five Arti- 
 cles of that Reign ; which faid Work infpir*d the Spirits of 
 the People throughout Great Britain and Ireland^ and gave 
 Life to all the Proteftant Churches in Europe. This latter 
 Piece was then declared by the Privy- Council, and in both 
 Houfes of Parliament, to be of the higheft Confequence to 
 the Nation. King George the Firft fent the Lord Stan^ 
 hope to my Houfe at Hampflead^ to tell me in his Name, 
 he approved of that Work, and had publifh'd a Proclamati- 
 on, offering One thoufand Pounds Reward to dilcover the 
 Author that writ the Anfwer to the (aid fixty-fivc Articles. 
 
 Now as my Life is preferv'd to advanced Years, I will 
 trace the Royal Family in their feveral Scenes. There 
 now lie before me feveral authentick Speeches and divine 
 Sayings of Queen Mary and Carolina, Their Memory 
 I look upon as precious in the Eye of the World. Their 
 Virtues, Wifdom and Piety will travel beyond the Limits 
 of the Heathen and Pagan Dominioni. 
 
 Tlie 
 
[ wO 
 
 The Speeches and Sayings of Queen 
 MART. 
 
 In one Manufcript Jhe gives her Opinion^ That Prin- 
 ces neither fee nor hear the true State of their 
 Subjedb. 
 
 /^Rown'd Heads, faid her Majefty, have not Opportuni- 
 ^-^ ties of excrcifing their Virtues to the wifeft Ends. 
 They are as Prifoners confined from the Converfation of 
 the lower Sphere of their Subjects, in Points where there 
 are required the moft A£b of Charity and Benevolence. 
 Sovereigns know little, but what is related to them by dicir 
 Minifters. Their Negle^ is too frequently laid to the 
 Charge of Princes, as if they were unjuft and crueL 
 Thofe that fit at the Helm hear from every Part Com- 
 plaints and Grievances of Men of honcft Minds opprels'd 
 with Mifery. Such Cafes merit Recommendation to the 
 Prince on the Throne, and ought to be granted accord- 
 ing to the Exigencies of the publick Affairs. Says her 
 Majefty, This is to fteer right. Men of unbiafled Prin- 
 ciples and Abilities become publick Bleffings to their 
 Country. Tfcey patronize the Fatherlcfe and Wi- 
 dows, receive the Virtuous into Favour, and rcjed the 
 Guilty. 
 
 Such Minifters of State are the Gifts of Heaven. Mea 
 {hould not be denied by rcafon of their Modefty. Gene- 
 rous Principles always find out Occafions of domg Chrifti- 
 an A^. 
 
 A Minifter unfaithful in his Truft, or paflionate in hit 
 Temper, difcountenances tlje Timorous, and fends them 
 away unrewarded, tho* full of Merit. He gives himfelf 
 not time to be informed of the true Nature of the Cafe, 
 and conceals the Petitions from the Eye and Ear of his 
 Prince. A corrupt Minifter rejedfe what he thinks not t- 
 grecable to his Intereft ; and prefers Men of mean Capaci- 
 ties to Pofts of High Truft, to fill his Coffers by Corrupt 
 tion. It has been my Obfervation, fays the Queen, that 
 Men of Virtue difcharge Places of Truft, tho* not of very 
 polite Parts, with greater Honour than Men of contraded 
 Principles, tho' amarkable for Politicks. Men that have 
 
 fpcnt 
 
[ 102 ] 
 
 fpcnt the beft Part of their Days with an cxa^ Difclplinc^ 
 z€t with a ihidied and faithful Induflry ; but they that have 
 fivcd the rcverfc, never promote Juftice or true Honour, 
 cither to their Prince, or hb faithful Subjc£b. What Di- 
 vine, what Philofophcr, do wc read of in Hiftory, that 
 ever penn'd a more curious Piece than this of Queen Mary 
 of happy Memory ? A Pattern for Miniftcrs of State to 
 zEk and be guided by in this and fucceeding Ages. 
 
 A COPY of the Manufcript found 
 in Queen Marjs Clofet after her 
 Deceafe. 
 
 Her Opinion on the Weight of a Crown. 
 
 WHAT ihall I fay ? fays her Majclly, of Royal Dig- 
 nity. The Sight of a King fitting on the Throne 
 raifes Envy, and a Diadem dazzles the Eyes of the Uncx- 
 pcrienc'd. The Scepter feems to them to be encircled with 
 Honour, Riches, Pieafure, and all the Happinefs of Life. 
 They fix their Eyes upon the outward Grandeur, not upon 
 the Mind of the King, more fad than the deepeft Mourn- 
 ing. The Crown does not more encompafs his Head, than 
 Anxieties hb Soul. Look not on the Number of his 
 Guards, but the Vexation that attends him in his Councils 
 and Undertakings. He is difquieted on every Side. The 
 Stratagems of his Enemies abroad, and the Treachery of 
 hb Subjects at home, are numerous. His Kingdom lies at 
 Stake, not only as it depends upon the Succefs of hb Fleets 
 and Armies, but even as he holds it at the Will and Piea- 
 fure of hb own People. Thefe arc the Specimens of thofe 
 Difquictudes that attend the prefent Reign, and put the 
 Life of the King in Danger. Is not hb Perfon expos*d 
 every Hour, to be deftroy'd by Poifon, flabb'd in the 
 Street, or aflaflinated by Ruffians in the Field ? Thefe 
 Troubles and Uneafmefles have attended him ever Hnce his 
 Acceffion to the Throne. The leafl Man in the Ifland 
 may be accounted more happy than their Prince. His 
 SuljeSs fcarce fufFcr him to enjoy the frail things of the 
 Earth in Peace and Security, but make it unintelligible. 
 
 What 
 
t »03 1 
 
 What is the Imperial Power to him more than a Crown 
 of Thorns, or a bloody Crofs ? Hath not he fuffcr'd more 
 Troubles, Griefs ahd Treafons than any of his PredeccT* 
 fors ? A Slave may be ilil'd happier than he. Had it noC 
 been to have refcu'd a bleeding Church and Nation, he 
 had never crofled the Seas, nor taken upon him the Buf 
 den of a Kingdom. It is better not to be bom, than to la* 
 hour in Toil, and War, and Ingr^itude. What is there 
 more in a Crown than in a Mitre ? It is not fo valuable: 
 An Imperial Dignity is attended with awaken'd Nighty 
 and wearifome Dslju 
 
 A C O P Y of Queen Marjs Manu- 
 fcript on Death. 
 
 IConfider the Time of Life, fays her Majefly, as a State 
 of Trials and Sin, in reach of Temptations and Snares. 
 Whilft I live, I am within the Poflibility of falling away 
 from Virtue, and lofing my Peace ; but Death clofes the 
 Eyes, and determines the State for ever. What is the 
 Reafon we are fo averfe to die, and change our Beii^? It 
 is becaufe we have an endlefs Scene of Time in View, 
 where we muft be for ever. Here prefent Fear fo difeom* 
 pofes our Minds, that we can't be called happy till the 
 laft Conclufion of Life. I compare my/clf, fays the 
 Queen, to the moving of the Wheels of a Clock; 
 they are in Motion, let them go right or wrong. If my 
 Thoughts are not pure, what Peace can I poflcfs ? There's 
 much to be difcern'd in us, when we come near to the End 
 of our Journey ; we then make Difcoverics whether our 
 Lives have been virtuous or vicious ; if bofe and wander- 
 ing, there appears in us heavy Profpe£b : but in Virtue we 
 dofe our Days in a quiet Serenity. Tho' this is not a cer« 
 tain Rule, yet it is a general one. Our Thoughts then are 
 employ*d in enquiring how we have fpent our Time. A 
 good Man's Life and Death are all of a piece ; there's no- 
 diing forced or affe^led ; it produces no Alteration ; and aa 
 we die under a fixed and fettled Hope of Salvation, there's 
 no Occafion to (hew any unufual Degree of Sorrow or 
 Concern at the parting of Soul of Body. Thefe are 
 Queen J^;>*s Sayings; and {be maintala'd them to the laft 
 ...J with 
 
t ro4 J 
 
 with the ftrif^eft Dircipline, She was chearful and reCgn'd, 
 and gave Inftances of it to the World. Virtue was inhc^ 
 rent in her Mind j there was nothing new to be fcen in her, 
 tho' the Change was great. She prepared in time for the 
 Reception of Death j and recommended to thofe about her 
 their Duty to God, and Loyalty to their Sovereign. Ha- 
 ving finifh'd her Courfe, fhe refign'd herfelf to the Embra- 
 ces of Jefus, and died with a fweet and compofed Counte- 
 nance. No Clouds of Fear or Defpair were feen in her 
 Afpe(S^. All was ferene aad quiet, in Health, Sicknefs, 
 Profperity or Advcrfity. Purity adorn'd her whole Reign : 
 No Stain in Life ever blcmifli*d that Chara£Jer more than 
 what was common in the beft of Princefles, and the Ser- 
 vants of a dying Jefus. 
 
 Sentences writ with Queen Marys 
 own Hand, which fhe delivered to 
 Dr.Bume^y Bifhop o( Salisl^uryy in 
 her laft Sicknels. 
 
 (i.) "D Epentance on a Death-bed, fays her Majefly, is 
 •■•^ very dangerous. In facred Writ, there's but one 
 only found who had true Faith in his End, the Thief upon 
 the Crofs ; and that Text is recorded for none to defpair, 
 nor any to prefumc. 
 
 (2.) Thoughts on Eternity, fays the Queen, are my 
 Meditation. That endlefs Scene keeps me clofc to my 
 Prayers. The more I think of Eternity, the more I am 
 refin'd. I compare it to an inexprefHble Duration ; to the 
 bottomlels Sea, that none can fathom j to a perpetual Moti- 
 on, to a Globe or Sphere, a Wheel or Circle, which arc 
 not limited by any vifible Bounds, fo as to know where 
 they begin or end, Thefe Views, fays the Queen, arc 
 pleafmg to me, and entertain my Mind with Delight To 
 confider of Eternity in fecret, gives refin'd Ideas. I am 
 then convey'd even beyond the Limits of Time to the Cco^ 
 tcr of infinite Immenfity. * 
 
 (3.) Strengthen weak Hands, lays the Queen; break 
 thy Bread to the Hungry j vifit the Diflreficd, Without 
 ., I thele 
 
tljcfc very Sacrifices we can't fee GckI, Good Works to 
 our own Images, and Mercy to Animals, are Emblems of 
 Righteoufncfs. O divine Queen, thcfc will keep thy 
 Name in Memory, and be repeated in every Age of the 
 Chriftian World, till the Day of Terror comes, the Sun 
 fifes and fetj no more, the Moon and Planets veil their 
 Faces, and every Star in tlie Firmament thrown into 
 Eclipfc, concealed and hid in Oblivion. 
 
 A MEMORIAL 
 
 To the Defcendants of (^ Carolina^ 
 
 To keep in Memory her Virtues, and tokm- 
 nize the Day fhe died, 
 
 SHould this Petition not be granted, ftjould this Trcatife 
 not be bound in Turky Leather, the Title in golden 
 Letters, and depofited in the Libraries of every Branch of 
 the Royal Family to be fcen and read ; farewell to the Me- 
 mory of Qi'cen CarcUna : Her Name and Virtues are al- 
 ready concealed in Oblivion, that fhould have lived to tlie 
 Period of Ages, and flood as an Example of Chriftian 
 Piety. 
 
 Should I fee all her fair Chara<£lers thus croGM out of the 
 Manufcfipts in Sodomy nor ever repeated more in Convcr- 
 fation ; they (hall be recorded in Canaan^ and entered in 
 the Archives of the Defcendants of MofeSy Aarorty the Pro- 
 phets, the Apoftles, and the Evangelifts. There /^//jr the 
 Student, and the Virgin, will rehearfe the Sentences (he 
 delivered as {he fat in her Palaces, as fhe walked in her 
 Royal Gardens, and in her Retreats of Solitude. 
 
 What I fhall recite of this Illuftrious Lady, cannot but 
 fill the Minds of Pofterity with Seniiments of Honour and 
 Virtue,' 
 
 I have obtained feveral fele^ Pieces, deliver*d from her 
 Majefty's own Lips and Hand-writings. They arc Ideas 
 out of the common way, fcarce to be found in the Studies 
 of the moft learned and pious Prelates. The whole 
 Compofition is *^ Coll^ion ©f Wifdom : Sentences 
 
 O more 
 
irii^ilfiilin 
 
 t »«>6 1 
 
 more primitive than modern. Tho* I have compiled tlie 
 Difcourfes in my own way of fpeaking, yet there is not 
 one Point omitted in any principal Head, as to the Senfe 
 and Meaning of her Majefly's own Words and Writing?. 
 
 The Opinion of Queen Carolina upon- 
 - - Thought, -^-..,. — 
 
 'T^HERE is no greater Entertainment to the Mind, 
 -*- f;iid her Majefty, than your FJeas.' That Duty is 
 rewarded in a particular manner. The Practice is not, 
 like other Virtues, difficult and painful. It is attended 
 with (o much Plea fu re, that was there no Account to be 
 given, a wife Man would indulge good Thoughts for the 
 Quietnefii they produce. It is a Debt due even to Enemies, 
 much more to the high and fupreme Being. Ideas are 
 Gifts that no others can convey to us. If my Mind (faid 
 (he) is ferene, I am happy, by what means foever the Peace 
 arifes. Virtuous and chafte Thoughts are pleafing Senfati- 
 ons ; they employ the Soul to wife Ends. It waa the 
 Cuftom of the Heathens, faid fhe, either to dircdl their 
 Thoughts or their Prayers to their God^, and to attend di- 
 irc£^iy to the Celebration of thofe Duties* The Mahome^ 
 Um go into tiicir Mofcjues, and there colle£l their7'houghts 
 to pay Worfliip to the Almighty. The Chriflian Ideas of 
 the fupreme Being, fays the Queen, ought to be infinitely 
 more great and noble than what can enter into the Minds 
 of Twri/ and Pagans : for the Gofpel of Jefus gives an Op- 
 portunity to the fublimeft Conceptions. She had read of an 
 Indian^ that offering up Sacrifices to the Sun and Moon, a 
 y«f was prcfent at his Devotions, and feem'd to have an 
 idea of the ardent Zeal of this Indian, Upon this Point 
 her Majcfly paraphrased : Said fhe, the Heathens give Ex- 
 amples to the Chriftian World ; they have in divers Inftan- 
 ccs tranfmitted to us curious Pieces without divine Talents ; 
 they teach u.s faid fhe, Leflbns to copy after. When I 
 read Philofophy, I find Sayings which eflablifh me in my 
 Duty and my Faith: Sentences that inflrufi me how to 
 convcrfe with Mankind, and confute Errors. What could 
 be more comprehenfive than thefe Sayings of her Majefty ? 
 It appeared that fhe had a Body of Divinity in her, and 
 wiis of refin*d Speculations, A 
 
t 107 I 
 
 A C O P Y of the Manufcript of the 
 Queen's Opinion on Perfecution: 
 
 Which (he delivcr'd to a Prefate polfon'd with 
 the Principles of converting Men by Fag- 
 gots and Imprifonments. 
 
 SH E faid. No Article of Faith cou'd be found, unlefs 
 it were founded on the Bafis of Chrift's Church, Cha- 
 rity and Peace. To perfecute Chriftians for Confcience 
 Sake was fo malignant in itfelf, and attended with (b much 
 inveterate Hatred, that it refcmbled more the Spirit of tlie 
 Prince of Darknefs than the Do«5lrine of Jefus. ' Such a 
 Spirit, fays fhe, ftains the Mind with Guik, and imbitte^ 
 theThoughts of others with Indignation to thePra£lice. To 
 force any to believe what is againft the Diftdtes of Nature 
 and Reafon, is as much the Reverfc to the true Scnfe of 
 facred Writ, as for a Divine of our Church to go up to the 
 facred Altar, and there openly deny every Article of that 
 Creed, which he himfelf confirmed as the real Sentiments 
 of his Soul. Chains, Prifons, and Deaths, faid fhe, could 
 not bring a human Being in Love with that Religion which 
 held fuch bafe Principles. A Practice that cuts Men off 
 from the Communion of their own eftabli/h'd Opinion^ 
 from their Duty to God, and from all Society. It is a 
 Barbarity that alHidls the Body, diftrefTes the Mind, facri- 
 fices the Fortunes of others, tJirows Families into Pain 
 and Mifery, that often ends in Death. Such Confequec- 
 ^es arifing from the Principles of any Body of Chriftians 
 or Se£t, cannot but convince Men, that there is either no 
 Religion at all, or elfe that it is vicious, cruel, and dam- 
 nable. Before a wife Man confirms himfelf in any Opini- 
 on, he will be convinced of the Truth of it, and then make 
 it Part of the Rule of Life ; otherwifc he violates his Mo- 
 rality, he facrificcs his Zeal, he divefts himfelf of Charity 
 and of his Faith, and may juftly be ftird a Serpent to fting 
 and plague his Fellow- Cre;itures. He may have Principks 
 to make us hate, but not to make us love. Thefe arc her 
 Majefty's Thoughts on Perfecution. O Divine Queer, 
 they will do thy Memory Honour in all the Proteftant 
 Churches of Chrift to the End of the World. Dying 
 O z Martyrs 
 
i#itrirth»iiii'irmi> 
 
 Martyrs will record thy Name at the Stake, and in the 
 Flames. Thy. cxtcnfivc. Charity rcfcmbles the Pi6hire of 
 Jefus. This and all thy other Virtues are now gone witb 
 thee to the facred Altar in the Temple and Choir, that is 
 out of the reach of thefe Region? of Rage and Perfecution. 
 Divine Queen ! thou. haft left but one behind thee, that I 
 know of, to tread in thy Steps, the Serene, the Juft, and 
 the Pious Princefs Amelia^ now on her Progreis to Canaan^ 
 and a Pilgrim in Sodom, 
 
 Queen Carolina s Thoughts on Contra- 
 verfies in Points of Religion. 
 
 MY Sentiments are, faid (he. That thofe who delight 
 in Controvcrfies, very fcldom arrive at an eftabli&*d 
 Foundation ifi Faith, but are wavering and unftable in their 
 Alinds. I fpcak it from my own Experience. In Youth 
 it was too much my Praflicc, till I came fedatcly to confi- 
 dcr the Way I was in : I then found myfclf in an extreme 
 Error. One Day I have been entirely convinc'd, the next 
 rnet with fometliing that {hook and difturbed me; the 
 Doubt that was laid revived again, and appeaR in new Dif- 
 ficulties; and that generally for this Reafon, becaufe the 
 Mind that is perpetually tofled in Controverfies and Dif- 
 putcs, is apt to forget the Reafons which once fet it at reft, 
 and to be difquieted with any former Perplexity in a new 
 Shape, or is ftartcd in different Lights. • Nothing is more 
 4audable than an'Enquiry after Truth ; and nothing more 
 irrational than to pafs away our Moments without coming 
 to a final Determination, in Points which are of thd higheft 
 Importance. There are indeed many Articles, fays (he, 
 - from which we may withdraw our Aflent ; but in Cafes 
 that fhould regulate our Anions, it is the greatcft Indifcre* 
 tion to be wavering, and not to chufe that Side which ap- 
 pears the moft agreeable to facred Writ. My Faith, faith 
 the Qi^ieen, is this: That when by reading, or in Contro- 
 .verfies, we find ourfelvcs convinc'd of any Article in Church 
 Worfoip, we fhould never after call that into Queftion. It 
 is true, we may forget the Arguments which occafion'd our 
 Convi^ions ; but we onght to remember the Strength they 
 bad upon our Minds, and retain the Faith which they once 
 
 produc'd. 
 
|)rQduc'd. We do this in common Cafe$ ; nor can we z6k 
 other wife, confidering the Limitation of our weak Facul- 
 ties. It was thus the primitive Fathers of the Church flood 
 as Walls of Brafs againft Terror and Superilidon between 
 the Protcftants and the Roman-Catholicks. Their Learn- 
 ing and Abilities eilablifliM the true Faith in this Part of the 
 C^riftian World. Their Piety and Parts produced fuch 
 firong and inviiKible Arguments, as brought about the 
 happy Reformation. The Articles in which thcfc Pillars 
 of our Faith bclicv'd, and in PoiTeffion of them detemiin'd 
 to fuffcr Death. They built upon that Truth, knowing 
 it was demonflrated by divine Revelation. Thefe Rules, 
 fays ihe, are necefTary for weak Minds to be directed by $ 
 and in fome meafure for Men of great Abiliues. But to 
 thefe laft, I would offer to lay up in their Memories thoCc 
 Points which appear to their Reafon of the greatcft Force, 
 and which can't be got over by the Doubts and Cavils of 
 Infidelity. There's nothing ftrengthcns my Principles of 
 Faith more, fays the Queen, than this way of reasoning. 
 Good Men can't forbear clofing with found Truths, upon 
 an impartial Examination. It is certain, that this W2iy of 
 thinking keeps our Faith alive, and gathers Strength from 
 Pradice much more than from Speculations. There is 
 another Point which is very perfuafive, and that is an ha- 
 bitual Adoration of tlie fupreme Being, as well as in con- 
 ftant A£b of Worfhip, as in outv/ard Forms. Serious and 
 good Men do not only believe, but feel within their own 
 Breaih, that there is a divine Power. They have adual 
 Senfations of God -, their Experience concurs with Truth; 
 they fee the Purity of the Deity more and more 5 their In- 
 tercourfes with him in divine Thoughts, and even in this 
 Life, almoft lofe their Faith in Convi£lions. There's 
 another Article, iays the Queen, gives Life to a Chriftian's 
 Faith ; a frequent Retreat from the World, accompanied 
 with divine Ideas. As often as I am retir'd from Aflem- 
 blies, my Thoughts make deeper Iropreflions upon my 
 Mind ; but when in publick, and in Noife, my Attentions 
 are call'd back from thofe Meditations that I retain'd widi 
 fo much Strength in Solitude. When I am amus*d with 
 Variety of Objeds in publick, the Shew and Figure of the 
 World flrikes in with my Thoughts, and creates an Am- 
 bition after .Vanity. If I am in fecret, I am difpos'd to 
 he ferious ; in Multitudes and Crouds, I am entertain'd 
 . with empty Pageantry. In the filent Night I have Op- 
 portusuties of converfmg with God. In that Recefs, Faith 
 
 and 
 
and Devotion naturally grow in the Mind. Thus feclu^ 
 dcd from Convcrfation, I enjoy a fcrcne Peace. I fee the 
 divine Power and Wifdom. The fupreme Being hath 
 made the befl Arguments for his own Exiftence. The 
 Works of the Heavens and the Earth are Arguments, 
 which a found Mind cannot forbear attending to. In our 
 filent Hours, there is neither Speech nor Language to di- 
 vert us ; we only fiear our own Voice and Meditations : 
 then our Souls are furnifh'd with noble Ideas. Thefe arc 
 her Majefiy's Sentiments composed in her Studies. What 
 Precepts can be attended with more Strength of reafoning 
 than thefe Arguments? The World may be furpriz'd, that 
 neither the Fathers of the Church, nor any Minifter of 
 State, {hould not have commanded, by their Authority and 
 Expence, thefe Pieces to be publifh*d. I am afham'd to 
 fpeak it ; it was with no little Difficulty that I obtain'd 
 thefe her Majcfty's Sayings. No fooner had I perus'd 
 tliem in Retirement, that had my Prince commanded me 
 to have kept filent, I fhou'd have cliofe rather to have dif- 
 obey*d his Royal Command, than to have conceaFd from 
 the Eye of the World, the Virtues, the Learning, the Elo- 
 quence, the Politenefs and Wifdom of Queen Carolina, 
 Her Works are Patterns for Emperors and Kings to imi- 
 tate : They arc perfect Glafles for the Princes and Ladies of 
 the Briiip Court to drcfs and adorn thcmfelves by in every 
 Scene of Life. 
 
 WHAT Subjea mufl I treat of now? Shall I not re- 
 cord Scphioy /he that is born to fit on the Female 
 Throne in the Brhijb Ifiand? This Princefs is Great, 
 Wife, Good and Jult ; the very Image of Mary and Ca- 
 rolina ; pure in Thought, and beautiful in Perfon : Every 
 Perfe£lion that fhin'd in -thofe Monarchs are to be fecn \n 
 this Royal Woman. Whp more worthy of a Sceptre than 
 flic? The EngUJh muft be naturally ftruck with her diftin- 
 guiftiing Parts, and reflect with much Satisfaction the Blef- 
 iing they will enjoy during her Reign. She gives Sped- 
 mcns of. her Condu«5l in every Kdt of Life. Nothing can 
 add new Merit to her : She is celebrated in every Inftancc ; 
 ilivefted of Pride and Vanity. Take her adorn'd in all the 
 Splendor of the BritiJI) Court, there appears no Oftentation ; 
 <he dieffes to pleafurc her Confort, more than to fatisfy any 
 Vain glor)' in herfclf. To the King fhc performs the O- 
 
 bcdicnce 
 
tun 
 
 tedicnce of a DaugTiter-in-Jaw, to her' Confort the Diifjt 
 of a Wife, to the Princes the Indulgence of a Parent, and 
 to her Attendants, a Mother rather than a Miftrcfs. If 
 there is any Ambition, it is to excel her ojvn Sex in Meek-* 
 nefs and good Works : They are the principal Ends to Re* 
 ligion. She is a /hining Ornament on folemn Days ; ihe 
 attends at the facred Altar to break Bread and drink Wine 
 with her crucify'd Jefus. View this Princefs in publick AC» 
 iemblies, or in Retirement. She is an eftablifh'd Chriftian, 
 fix*d and grounded in the Catholick Faith : " Her Charity is 
 univerfal, not contra^ed. She cenfures none becaufc the^ 
 don't receive the Sacraments on tlieir Knees with her ar» 
 dent Zeal. It is the Intenfenefs of the Heart (he looks at. 
 Outward Ceremonies without inward Devotion fet us (hort 
 of the Kingdom of Chrift, In this (he owns her/elf a 
 Member of the one only true Church. This Do(S:rine wat 
 inftiird in her from her very Infancy. Her Ancefiors liv'd 
 and dy*d in Unity with every Society. One of that Royal 
 Family declar'd-, he believ'd that neither JtiVy Turk^ Hea- 
 then nor Pagan^ will perifli everlaftingly, who offer up Sa- 
 crifices in their Temples with a pure Mind. Says this 
 Prince, Thofe that never heard of Chrift will not be judged 
 by his Gofpel, but by their own Laws and Cuftoms, ox 
 from the Volume of Nature. O glorified Saint, what 
 Ihall I fay of thy god-like Principles? The very Expreffi- 
 ons raife a Love in my Soul to thy Memory j they throw 
 me into deep Contemplation, and make me reflect on the 
 different Period of good and bad Princes. As to this one 
 particular Article of Unity and Chriftian Charity to all So* 
 cieties and Opinions whatfoever, their Lives are incirclcd 
 with Honour, and their End with Peace. Such never op- 
 preG) the Stranger, the Fatherlefs, nor the Widows j they 
 ihed not innocent Blood, nor walk after evil Counfels. .1 
 let my Mind go fo far, in Oppofition to all Perfecution, 
 and the divine Sayings of the deceas*d Prince in his departing 
 Moments, that they may live till Time fliall be no more. 
 Will not all confin'd in Galleys on Account of Confcience, 
 rife up and call this Prince blefled ? Will not the pcrfccuted 
 Proteftants in France and Germany pay Remembrance to his 
 dying Slumberance? The Reflection upon this Prince's 
 Death had been a melancholy Entertainment,' •were the 
 Thoughts not reviy'd with the Profpedl that Zophia will, ia 
 all Virtues, tread in the -^tiy fame Steps, and inftru^ 
 Prince George^ Prince Edward^ and the Princcilcs Jugujftt, 
 and Elizabeth^ to imitate and paint after their Royal An* 
 a:,. I 3 ccfton. 
 
t "O 
 
 cellors. Then they will appear to iHx Eye of* Eurc^f ai 
 bright Stars, and be cal I'd .Glorious from their very Infancy. 
 Then there will be no Retreats in thefe Mands to the Clifi 
 of Rocks, nor dark Caves, for the Perfccuted to be con- 
 Ceard and hid in from the Force of Violence and Fury; 
 
 The Virgin in Edens Memorial to 
 Prince George, Prince Edwardy and 
 the Princefe Augujla. 
 
 TH O' this Piece b drawn up by a Pilgrim at Abraham*^ 
 Houfe in Canaan^ one in the Bloom of Youth ; yet 
 It may live till the Frame of Nature comes to be diflblv'd, 
 and faU into its primitive Nothing, as being addrcfs'd to 
 Infant Princes for them to read and praftifc. Shou'd this 
 be received and countenanc*d, what can add more Glory to 
 their Names? Will not one Generation tell another, 
 will not Hiftory record it^ that G targe ^ Edward^ and 
 Jugu/ioy gave Examples of Chriftlan Virtue even from 
 their very Cradles, in their Childhood ? What more beau*- 
 tiful than to fee young Branches of the Royal Famify be- 
 gin to inure themfelves to Piety ? The Reward will be 
 Wifdom.in their Counfels, in their Armies Vii^ory, Trade 
 will flourifb. Virtue rever'd, and Vice bani{h*d from tbe 
 Court. Then no domeftick Enemies but Atheifts and 
 Blafphemers. We that are the Inhabitants of Canaan put 
 up our Petitions, that thefe tranfcendent Bleflings may 
 bloom and flourifb. Books and Retirement are our Enter- 
 tainment : they beautify the Soul. What ftains the Cha- 
 ra£ler of Princes more, than to aflemble in Company of 
 corrupt Morals ?_ Heirs to Crowns and Sceptres (hould be 
 endow'd with diftinguifliing Parts. Great Minds convey 
 their Ideas beyond infignificant and trifling Amufement?, 
 and afpire only to what is truly commendable. Ad not 
 below your Dignity ; that will ftain and fully your Cha- ' 
 racers. But I am gone beyond what I defign'd, and had 
 almoft forgot, what I chiefly propos'd, to tell this Royal 
 Train how happy we in Canaan fpend our Days with 
 Converts on their Journey to the heavenly yerujalem at 
 AbrabanCz Houfe. There arc no Difputcs about rre-cmi- 
 
 oenccsy 
 
nences, nor a Queftion ask'd, Who is the greatcft ? In ouf 
 Situation all is familiar and inoffcnnve. Nothing gives our 
 Converfation Difturbance. Wc take Profpe^ls around ch« 
 Globe, and view the heavenly Bodies ; there obferve the 
 Seafons and Returns of the Year, Spring and Autumn, die 
 Rifing and Setting of the Sun. In the Morn, e'er Day 
 be light, we fendup our Thoughts to the holy Oracle i at 
 Noon, in the Heat of the Day, wc retire to cool 
 Bowers and Banks of Rofes ; there cail our Eyes to the 
 yonder Regions, where Mary^ and CafoUna^ and the An- 
 ceftors of the Princefs Sophia now live in Gbry, above thif 
 Bank of Duft. Tho* thcfe Princes bore the Weight of 
 Government, they perform'd every Chriflian l^uXy^ and 
 frequently retired to Solitude, to acquaint themfelvcs with 
 their crucified Jefus. In thefe high Orders we live ia 
 CanaaTty and teJl each other what the Infant Martyrs en- 
 joy, that were maflacred by Herod the Tyrant before they 
 arriv'd at the Period of two Years. This Perfecution 
 was defign'd to murder the Babe Jefus, the Son of the V^r* 
 gin Mary. Sacrifice none, tho' thev fall down in the Street 
 ^nd worfhip the Hofl. May not their Souls be as precious 
 In the Eye of an AlKfeeing Eflencc, as we that pay no A- 
 doration to departed Saints ? Th'is Faith is Chriftian Cha- 
 rity ; thefe Principles will bring Peace in dying Moipents. 
 This IS the Religion we Pilgrims profeis and pra^lile ia 
 Cana4n. X^arn this Le/Ibn : Live and die by thei«; 
 Rules. Co into youf Parks and Gardens, as w^ do ia 
 our Fields and Groves ; *nd there you'll find,- that whsit 
 with the Fanning of the Winds, the Ruftling of the 
 Leav^, and the Serenity of the Air, will inure you hf de- 
 grees to the Love of Solitude, and with Thoughts of an 
 ^ndlefij Eternity. We are naturally j-efre(h*d by the 
 Melody of the Birds in Caman*& Wildernefles. Thefe 
 iSongs are to us as divine Anthems, fweet and ierene } the 
 very Emblems oi the unfeen World of Joys. At Night w« 
 walk in green Alleys, and behold the wandring Moon in- 
 creafe dM change, and riding in her Orb. Then wc joofe 
 iurther, and view the Stars ranged in regular Order, more 
 beauti/ul than ^ Army drawn up to folemnizc a fignal Vi- 
 ikory, Tbu$ we % ia Thought, like the Winp qi 
 Eagles, from one bpaytiful Obje<a to another. Should 
 jPrinc(: Bdiwird^ Prince Georgia and Princels Aug^flay now 
 JA tjbeir Infancy, be tn(bu^ed to read this State of Inno» 
 fency, and be feen publickly to deliver printed Copies t^ 
 the yoiMg .N9bility of W^ ^^cs that attend their feveral 
 
 P Cpurtsi 
 
' 1 iiiinriiifflifiaitifiaifiiihi imnn ilitWiTi' I'liJunKafiiitli 'iiii«i#¥in- 
 
 ■ ["4 1 
 
 Cdur6 ; I am furc fhould this be done, if there is ait ori- 
 ginal Being that fram'd the Univerfc, and created all Crea-. 
 cures out of notliing, the fucceeding Kings will be attended 
 with fome diftinguifhing Bleffings of Divine Providence* 
 Crown*d Heads will revere the A6t. Virtue in Princes 
 difplays fuch glorious Lights, that even the vileft of Ty- 
 rants will pay their Memory a kind of facred Honour. 
 Piety ever was, and ever will be cfleemM, let it be dreis'd 
 in Scarlet, or in Rag& 
 
 An Emblem of Sodom and Canaan^ 
 prefented by Ifaac tlie Defcendant of 
 
 AbrahafTU . 
 
 • 
 
 TH O' but a Youth, lama Pilgrim and Stranger, as 
 all my Forefathers were. By Virtue I am enlighten'^ 
 to inflrudl the Aged, and tell them, that in primitiveTimes 
 Allegories were efleem'd as religious Entertainment. When 
 I confider populous Cities as thev are qualify'd, I find them 
 very dcfedive in Comparifon of retir'd Seats, inhabited by 
 rele£^ Societies, pure in Mind, and agreeable in Converfa- 
 tion. For tho* the firft may appear more auguft and mag- 
 nificent by their fpacious Buildings, there is fomething in 
 the latter that refcmbles Paradife in its original State before 
 the Fall of Man. Wide Streets, fine Paintings, rich Fur- 
 jiiture, and gilded Chariots, come far fhort in Comparifon 
 of a College, fituated with the Profpe6l of Fields and 
 Vineyards. There the Eye may wander without Confine- 
 ment, and behold infinite Variety of Objeds, without 
 Gaining the Thoughts with Vanity. The Prophets and 
 Patriarchs from the firll Ages retreated to Solitude : the ho- 
 ly Jefus retir'd to fecrct Recefles to converfe with his Apo- 
 Itles and Evangelifls. There is more Delight in viewing 
 the rough Draughts of Nature, than in the Images we be- 
 hold in populous Towns. In Fields and Foicfts our Ideas 
 are refined by viewing the Works of God : they are worth 
 furvcying. What Reprcfcntations can be more fublime^ 
 than the original Copies: they fhew the infinite Power 
 there was in their Creation. And yet how many Curiofi- 
 ties arc concealed from the Eye, hid in ihit deep Ocean, in 
 Rocks, in Mines, and in Pillars of Marble ? Tbcfc M»- 
 
 nufcript» 
 
 ■ lim.». i iJjni|iiL.j i .i, 
 
. C"5r _ 
 
 rufcripts are beautiful Leflbns for the prefent Generation to 
 read. What we fee in large Metaphoricals, are they not * 
 the Works of Man ? Art can draw the Appearance of na- ' 
 vigable Rivers, Parks, Forefts, Fountains, and Springs; 
 the Waves of the Sea, the Ebbing and Flowing of the • 
 Tide, the Fluctuations of the Water, Ships riding in Har* * 
 bour, Yatchs failing crofs the Channels, and Barges float- " 
 ing in fliird Streams. I have feen in Sodom Landskips re- 
 prefenting Trees waving to and fro with the Winds, and 
 young Swans landed on the Shoar by their Parent walking 
 among the Flags. I have feen Pictures of Eagles flying in 
 the Air, and Herds of Deer ranging through Chacc and ' 
 Forefts. I have feen in Needle- Work, Hawks in PurRiit 
 of their Prey, and the Fox in the Chacc. But what arc 
 all thefe Pieces more than Shadows or Ties to humour filljr 
 Mortals ? Go to the Virgin at Abraham*s Houfe ; there are 
 Pleafures far above any thing carved out on Tables of Bra^ 
 Pillars of Stone, or Plates of Steel. . 
 
 What are the little Plots and Gardens we have in Cities^ 
 but only to amufe fuch as admire a Town-Life ? How 
 narrow are thefe to the Extent and Elegance we meet with 
 in large Plantations, Groves and WildernefTcs in Sodom f 
 There are Clouds of Smoke Morning and Evening, Mifts 
 and Fogs. I had rather fee a Marfh overgrown with 
 Willows, or a Mountain cover'd with Mofs, than to be- 
 hold Rofes and Pinks that are ftain*d and foil'd by the nau- 
 feous Fumes arifing from the Shears and Sinks in narrow 
 Streets and Lanes. * . 
 
 A little Cottage in the Country is to my Mind a more 
 pleafing View, than Globes and Pyramids growing in rank 
 Soils. Give me the Sight of Trees ; the Boughs bent with 
 the Weight of their Fruit, is infinitely more beautiful than 
 all the fine Strokes of Art. It is not the Gaiety and Va- 
 riety of Colours, nor the Symmetry and Proportion of 
 Parts in the Arrangement and Difpofition of Obje<3s, or 
 in a juft Mixture or Concurrence of all together, amongft 
 thefe feveral Kinds. A wife Man takes more Delight in 
 living in a private Retreat, out of Noifc and Show : then 
 he converfes with high-born Beings; he views the Tracks 
 of Heaven } he fees the Sun come forth of his Chamber^ 
 adorn'd in all his Brightnefs. At Night he views the Ele- 
 ment indrcled with bright Stars, the Moon rifing, and the 
 Planets walking in their Order. Thefe Scenes difcovcr to 
 him the difFerent Situation, and conveys his Ideas to thole 
 Regions that are beyond the Sphere of this Globe of Clay. 
 P » Sodm 
 
t"6l 
 
 f ^edom IS a dull Situation ; the Inhabitants hear not the 
 Larks fmg their early Mattins, nor behold the Fall of the 
 Rivers, or the Water fpring out of Rocks : But in (Umaam 
 we are awakened e'er Day be light; the Chapel Bell calls 
 us up to Praycre; there we unite our Voices with the Ta*- 
 hrcx^ the Harp, and the Dulcimer, and fmg the Tunc of 
 Sisn, O blefled Harmony I O fweet Retreat I This is the 
 State of Virtue. Jhraham\ Houfe is an Inn for Pil- 
 grims, on their Progress to the Ark of God ; the Ha* 
 vcn prepared for pure and undcfird Virgins, that never a^ 
 cd tl}e Part of Pameloy to parley Night and Day with a 
 hwd. Rake to raife Emulation. True Virtue retreats at 
 the firfl Temptation, and chufes rather to ftarve in a Cave, 
 than to converfe with a Man that oficrs once to tempt her 
 Chaftity- 
 
 ^lay this Emblem of Sodam and Canaan dwell on the 
 Mind of each Sex. This will bring Peace in Profpcrity, 
 in Adverfity, and in the lad Moments of h\St» 
 
 Univerfal Charity imitates the Saviour 
 of the World 
 
 IF Sacred Writ be Truth, no Man can be t Chrillian in Life 
 and Do^rinc, that judges or cenfurcs any Speech or Lao» 
 guagc if Points of Religion, or Principles of Fai^h. Neither 
 can we be perfefl, unlefs we arc inverted with a Spirit of Mer- 
 cy and Pity to all living Creatures in Diftrcfs and rain. 
 
 Doft thou believe the Rcfurreaion of thy Body f Think of 
 Peach ; ihev^ Humanity to thy own Image« and evea to Ani» 
 Fials and Infe6ls; a^ do Cruelty to the leaft Creature on the 
 Face of the whole Earth ; take notice of Objefls that bend ud* 
 ^er heavy Burdens, or worn out by Age or Labour. Hear the 
 Cries of Prifoners, the Groans of the Sick, and the Sighs of 
 Widows and Orphan*. Ask not what Church or Society they 
 belong to, but if it be in thy Power relieve |hem. CaB not 
 back thy Charity from the unbelieving ^/w/, ilor Turks^ Hei- 
 cKens or Pagans. If you behold an Atheift or BUfphemer pe- 
 riihivg with Hunger, Cold, or Nakednefs, let him not die; 
 thy Charity may be his ConveriioB. 
 
 Such Sacrifices Jefus will take as o0erM upon \k\$ own (acred 
 Altar : he will repay both Principal and Jntcrefl tenfold in both 
 Worlds ; they fhaJl have Peace here, and Glory in endlcfs Agca. 
 
 Now the Author moft humbly petitions the Publick in Chnft*# 
 Kame, to make one A^ of Charity unr^'erfal in this Ifland. 
 That IS often as any Hoofckceper, or ether Perfbn^ boils any 
 
 Buccher^t 
 
t >»7l 
 
 Botche^i Meat, 9n3 makes no Ufe of tlie Liqaor In tKeir' 
 own Families, that they would be fo good to engage their Seri 
 vants fiot to wafts or fling the iame aWay as ulu;d, but give 
 ic to poor Families. Ever/ Quart of fuch Liquor is worth to 
 them one Half-penny, for to boil up with Oatmeal, Flower^ 
 Rice« Wheat, or the Rifpings of Bread. This is no Expence 
 to the Donors. But how rou<^b greater will the Charity be^ 
 for Perfons in plentiful Circumftances, to order their Servant! 
 to boil up the iald Li^tior with Peafe, and give it at their 
 Door to the Poor, or fend it to indigent Families in their Neigh* 
 bourhood, when it is hot and fit to cat. This will be Meat, 
 Drink and Cloth to hungry Souls. The Charge of Peafe is ft 
 Trifle, not worth the naming, in Houfes where there is Plenty, 
 One Three pence expendei this way, is of greater Service than 
 Two Shillings and Six' pence in Money. 
 
 Shou*d this Humanity become general. Ten thoufand poor 
 Inhabitants may be fed cv^ry Day within the weekly Bills oJF 
 Mortality only : Many of which are now obligM to f ubfift, for 
 Weeks and Months together, with nothing but dry Bread an4 
 fair Water. Thofe that id this Charity ihali £nd Mercy in 
 their laft and dying Slumberaoce. 
 
 In MaitlaniTs Hiftory of Lfndcft, in treating of the Author's 
 inventing the Suh FirtO^u, the Printer by Millakc has inferc* 
 xd Jebtt Pevty inftcad of CbgrUs. 
 
 From N'. 3. in Little Aifie>ftreet, 
 Cooamaft'i-lieMt, StbUth-day 
 in the Moxslo|, Nov. x* 1741* 
 
 Charles Povey, Gent 
 
 rum 1^'. 3. 10 ii.)iuc ^viuc«iu^c«, 
 
 Cooamaft'i-lieMt, StbUth-day ^ 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 A CATALOGUE of whit Pbints the Author 
 hath wrote upon and publifli'd, not yet redted 
 inhisTreatifes. 
 
 AN Enquiry into the Nature, Situation, Motion, l^t. of 
 the heavenly Bodies. Arguments to prove that the Un- 
 menfe Bodies in the Firmament were not maide for the Ufe of 
 ManonlVf ' 
 
 A i>iipate in order to Ihew which Sex is mod guilty of tn- 
 continener. • 
 
 A philorophical Difconrfe touching the Originatiofi of 
 Things. - 
 
 The Opinions of ancient Philofophers about the Subflafice 
 tnd Nature of the Sun. A 
 
f 118] 
 
 A Difcourfc of Heirs to Eftatci falling out about Trifles, aSi^ 
 going to Law. " 
 
 The Compofition of licentious Authors juftly cenfur'd. 
 
 The ftipercilious Humours of mean Pcrfons advanced to high 
 Stations. . 
 
 A Letter from a Lady, wherein flie is very importunate to be 
 fatisfyM of the moll effectual Means for raifing her Fortune: 
 with the Author's Anfwer. 
 
 A Vifion, reprefcnting the A6ls of Opprcffion with tbofc of 
 Juftice. « 
 
 A Letter from a Gentleman to the Author, relating to a fin 
 mousPifturc. 
 
 . The Charafter of a fordid, ambitious Wretch. 
 . A DiiTuafivc from Marriage : with an Anfwer thereto. 
 
 A Dircourfc touching the Invention of new Words. 
 
 The Poverty of Languages whence occafionM. 
 
 Kefleftions on the capricious Humours of Fortune. 
 
 An EpilUe, in which the difmal £fi*e£l8 of Malice are laiil 
 down in very pat hctical Terms. 
 
 An Enquiry into the Subllance and Nature of the Soul. The 
 Opinions of the P/atoniJIs as to that Particular. 
 
 A Difcourfe of Humility and Vanity: their different Ends. 
 
 An Eflay touching the Original and Produftion of Thoughts. 
 
 A Qutftion propcs'd, v heiher the CuAetn offaluting Wonscn uponVifit* 
 be ccnfcrmablc to the Laws of Chaftity. The Opinions of Secratet and Se^ 
 neea as to that Matter. Archbiihcp UJher% Judgment of the Cafe. Advice 
 to Virgin* en this Point. 
 
 Tht imhappy Fate of Offflv/tf, Wife of ATcw^, 
 
 The Diftinciion between rhjovis and Diijavit dearly explained from A- 
 JuiGtIUut, 
 
 The Character of a Gentlewoman remarkable for her Wit, Learning and 
 Prudence. 
 
 * "An AcrfTunt of a Gentleman that was foaffc^led by the Occafion of hit 
 Wife's Sickncfj, that he dy'd with Grief when he heard of her Death. 
 
 Our prcfcnt Divifions compar'd to the Quarrels between Soul and Body* 
 
 The Author's Conference with an Aftor touching the Licentiouiheis of 
 xnoft Plays. 
 
 A DIfcourfe of Menima, Wife of King Mithridateu The Evil of ezpeft«L 
 five Entertainments. 
 
 The Story of Grotto the famous Jtalien Painter. 
 
 A DiJpute, whether any modern Authors can be comparM with fieaiV 
 and Virgil, Derr.tjibenet and Cicero, Arifiophants, ^Terence, Se^bocUt, and 
 £urif>ideu < . ' 
 
 An Exhortation to the fair Sex to apply themfclve* to noble AdTentiues* 
 
 A Difcourfc cf Wit, Merit, and Charaftcr. 
 
 Refle(£Vions upon the Royal Society* ... .^ 
 
 Emblems of Profperity and Adverfity. / ; 
 
 The Author's Difcourie with a Man upon Liberality. 
 
 An EHay upon the lailing Perfe^ons of the Mind, and the lading Flow* 
 er» of Beauty. 
 
 A Difllrtation concerning the ExcefTcs moft Men run into in thefe^unes. 
 
 A Difcourfc of Good- breeding, and a liberal Education. ^ 
 
 A Difcourfc how far, and to what Age, Men ought Co quke their Studiei 
 known to the World, 
 
 The Employment of the Thoughts on the Works of Nature. 
 
 Kcflcdtioas on Parents for not keeping a ftrid Difcipllne in their Fai^es* 
 
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