vid at a time when the posterity of that prince were reduced to low circumstances, and if he entered his dominions in a stable, we may cease to wonder that he condescended to visit so small a part of his works as this earth.

If I grant all this, answered Mr. Clifford, yet it is highly unreasonable to suppose, that the only-begotten and well-beloved Son of God should come into this world upon so unnecessary an errand as that of making an atonement for sins which had been, and which would be committed. Is it credible that a good and gracious Being would be so inexorable as not to pardon sinners upon repentance, except one suffered for their crimes, and he no less a person than his equal, God manifest in flesh, as Christians term him, and, indeed, justly, if what they call revelation be true? This is to circumscribe the power of the Deity, and to make it less than that of an earthly magistrate, who can pardon offenders upon the hopes of amendment.

I am persuaded, Sir, replied I, that Satan, when he had seduced our first parents, supposed that their ruin was inevitable, and that it was beyond the power of God to restore them to his favour. An earthly magistrate can, and frequently does pardon very atrocious crimes; however, when he does so, justice itself suffers. But our God cannot imitate his creatures in doing wrong; for a power to act improperly and unjustly would imply weakness and imperfection. Therefore, if God saved sinners, it was necessary he should do it in a way of justice; and as, in all his works with which we are acquainted, he has done every thing in the nearest as well as the best way, my reason tells me, that no cheaper remedy could have been provided for fallen creatures than the Redeemer's obeying and dying in their stead.

I confess, young lady, said he, that you have confuted me; but I am not convinced. For I have many times wished, and even prayed, that if I did wrong in rejecting Jesus of Nazareth, God would strike me with some heavy judgment, that I might be convinced of my crime, though

I paid ever so dearly for it; but no judgment has been inflicted upon me

An atheist, Sir, replied I, might argue in a similar manner, and might say, If there be a God, why does he not avenge himself upon me, seeing I deny his existence ? I will give the same answer to you which I should give to him. You must surely think yourself a person of considerable consequence, to suppose that the Creator of the world will go out of his way, to inflict a judgment upon you whenever you please to call for it. Be assured, Sir, that God will proceed in his own way, and that at a proper time he will call you to an account, although for the present he exercise forbearance towards you, and notwithstanding you abuse that forbearance to your greater destruction.

My friend, cried Mr. Barnwell, (looking at Mr. Clifford,) you may as well be silent. When did you ever know a woman at a loss for words? I mind all that has been said just as much as I should a presbyterian sermon. And you, Miss Neville, had better spare your breath. If you think to make a convert of this gentleman, you will find yourself egregiously disappointed. He is a very honest man already; and I do not know what he can be

more.

These ladies, said Mr. Clifford, are very able considering their years, to defend their sentiments: but I believe, friend Barnwell, it is too late in the day for you and me to think of altering for the better. However, ladies, I humbly thank you for the agreeable conversation you have been the occasion of.

Since I wrote the above, Mr. Pink and his daughters have drank tea here. Miss Pink, I could perceive, watched every opportunity to say something smart; and, to do her justice, she does not want that kind of wit which qualifies a person for shining in company. Your niece has since told me, that she once thought this character to be the summit of excellence, and imagined she had some pretensions to it herself. But, added she, I desire to va

lue nothing now but as it contributes to promote the divine glory, and my own everlasting felicity.

1

Miss Barnwell and I, in dressing our heads, had not scrupulously adhered to the mode. I do not think it right to aim at singularity: at the same time I never intend to be a slave to fashion, especially so absurd a one as that of enlarging the head to twice its natural size.

Miss Pink could not avoid showing her wit at our expense. Once she asked if we had escaped out of some nunnery; at another time, if we intended to lead the fashion. But, cried she archly, though you have lowered your top-sails, ladies, you will find it a difficult matter to move contrary to the wind.

I replied, that if we did not move contrary to the course of this world, we should be in danger of a greater shipwreck than she perhaps was aware of.

Whatever became of her, she said, she should like a good deal of company.

You have nothing to do then, replied I, but to keep straight forward in the path you seem to have taken.

My stay here, if God permit, will be eight or nine days more; in which time I hope to be favoured with a letter from my friend.

Dear Madam,

I am, with great esteem,

Your very humble servant,
EUSEBIA NEVILLE.

LETTER XVIII.

From Mrs. Worthington to Miss Eusebia Neville.

MY DEAR MISS NEVILLE,

YOUR letters came to hand, as did also those of my

niece. I have, I thank God, been pretty well; but the loss which I have so unexpectedly sustained has fluttered

iny spirits, and rather indisposed me for writing, which is the only reason you have not heard from me before.

My dear children, I have been reading again your five letters, and wish to say a great deal in answer; but I cannot write a long letter at present. Let me not omit, however, to tell my dear niece, that the person her father has pointed out to her for a husband, notwithstanding his riches, is by no means qualified for that relation; and that I am glad to find she has given him such a peremptory denial. if indeed what either of you said has had a good effect on him, as his father has intimated, there is no doubt but she will have his company again: if not, she is better without him. There are many instances where God makes such persons monuments of his mercy; but, generally speaking, I believe the most High chooses the vessels he intends for his heavenly temple from the families of his servants. When he acts differently, there is singular reason to adore his goodness; and I have observed, that such persons, generally speaking, have a deeper sense of his distinguishing mercy than others. This was remarkably the case with the apostle Paul; who, though religiously educated, yet, on account of his having persecuted Christ in his members, was ever after filled with self-abasement. That abiding sense which he had of God's electing love is conspicuous in almost every page of his writings.

To take irreligious husbands or wives, and trust to what God may afterwards do, is highly presumptuous. The world, our own innate depravity, and the wicked spirit, will be continually hindering us in our pilgrimage to the heavenly Canaan: and be assured, my dear friend, we shall all find in the way difficulties sufficiently numerous, without adding to their number by our imprudence. Besides, if we are sincere in our prayers, that God would deliver us from temptations, or trials, we shall endeavour to avoid them as much as lies in our power.

In the choice of our occupations, of our acquaintance, of the place where we worship God, and especially of so near a friend as a husband, it should be our earnest de sire

:

that God may be glorified, which he will be if the good of our own souls is promoted. No part of our conduct in relation to these things ought to be passed over with inattention. It becomes us to honour God respecting our time, our houses, our furniture, our dress, our food, and our expenses of every kind. My children, there are no little sins the least can only be expiated by the blood of Christ. We can be at no loss how to act in every sta tion of life, if we are willing to regulate our conduct by God's word. I am pleased with your telling me in what manner you dress your heads. Let the world laugh on. The holy Spirit has not neglected to inform us in what manner women professing godliness ought to adorn themselves. Whose adorning, says the apostle Peter, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, or of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. This ornament is not only valuable in the sight of God, but it will make us far more esteemed by our fellow-mortals than that levity in dress which characterizes the women of the present day. When I say esteemed by our fellow-mortals, I mean the wise and valua ble part of them, whose good opinion alone can be an honour to us. With regard to the world, let us do nothing intentionally to offend them: at the same time I would not go one step out of my road to heaven to oblige them.

I am pleased with the easy, yet effectual method which you took to silence the clamours of infidelity. Mr. Clifford thought the wicked lives of pretended Christians an unanswerable objection against Christianity itself; not considering that none are in reality Christians, but they who walk in measure as Christ walked. The argument taken from the harmony among the different nations and sects of pagans (which Mr. Clifford told you was so great as even to extend to the worshipping of each other's gods) only proves that they were all under the dominion of Satan, and that his kingdom was not divided against itself. When