arduous; like some passages over the Alps, where it is dangerous to look on either side, as by misplacing a single step the traveller plunges down a precipice. The doctrines of providence and human liberty are confessedly of this nature; which should excite the utmost wariness in those who endeavour to trace them, lest they should either degrade man into a piece of mechanism, or withdraw him from his proper state of dependance; lest they should philosophize providence into fate, or detract from its overruling direction. Observing this medium, a good man will keep on his way across the precipices of error, and amidst the winds of warring opinions, unshaken and serene. If he looks back to his original creation, it will be with thankfulness; if onward to his final destiny, it will be with hope; and when he surveys the present disordered state of the world, and sees multitudes of his fellowcreatures, 66 Living in hatred, enmity, and strife Among themselves, and levying cruel wars, This, though it will move his sorrow, will not destroy his peace; he will view all this evil under a divine control, and unite in reverent confession with the royal prophet, The wrath of man shall praise God; the remainder of wrath he will restrain *. * Psalm lxxvi. 10. SECTION IV. Containing some relieving Considerations, drawn from particular Topics;-from the pliability of Man to his external Situation;-from the great and good Examples frequently displayed in a hostile Period;—and from the general Vanity and unimportance of the World. THUS far of the general doctrine of a superintending Providence, and of the support it may afford to good men amidst all the evils which either they contemplate in the world around them, or which they are called to suffer themselves. We shall now proceed to some more particular topics, which may contribute to the same purpose. I. The power there is in our nature to adapt itself to a wonderful variety of circumstances, may yield some relieving considerations to every benevolent mind while it surveys the present state of things. Man ! can derive his nourishment from a greater variety of food than any other animal, and endure a greater diversity of climate; he is found in all latitudes, and can pass from the equator to the pole without material inconvenience. His mind is no less capable of forming itself to his political situation, with very little assistance from learning, or moral discipline. The great mass of mankind who are born to poverty and toil, are generally as satisfied with their humble lot, from being early accustomed to it, as those who the superior ranks of life appear to occupy be with theirs. Nor will oppression itself, superadded to daily drudgery, totally embitter human life, if the yoke be not at once so galling and unremitting, as that the bruises it inflicts have no time to heal. Should we look into those despotic states where acts of extreme violence are rare, we might possibly find that the bulk of the people pass their lives with tolerable ease and quiet. The peasants whose abode is at the foot of Vesuvius, although they often hear the mountain rumble, and see it now and then emit volumes of smoke, mingled with fire, and sometimes perhaps are sprinkled with its ashes; yet, knowing that those eruptions which endanger their lives and property are used to happen only after long intervals, will continue to cultivate their vineyards, and pursue their various occupations, with as little fear or uneasiness as if they dwelt at a hundred leagues distance. II. Again: The most stormy periods in these latter ages have been tempered and illuminated with many generous displays of humanity and courtesy, which I suppose no one can contemplate without emotions of delight and satisfaction. To multiply examples would be unnecessary, as they will easily occur to every one who is the least acquainted with general history; and those he will find most impressive which he has observed for himself. I shall only specify the following, which first offer them-, selves to my recollection. The noble behaviour of the renowned and gallant son of our Edward the Third towards the French king, who became his |