192. A propitious Mark, as a protection, was subsequently set on the fratricide by that object of aderation.

193. THIS MARK OF BLOOD, has been the distinguishing mark of fanaticism.

194. Thus, Fanaticism seems to have been fostered under the alleged protection of Heaven.

195. Thus, apparently protected, fanaticism seems to have grown in proportion as mankind increased in number.

196. For, in the second remove, only, murder was repeated in the same line, more aggravated, if possible, than the former, if we may calculate on the assumed protection of Heaven, increasing against the avengers.

197. Thus, Fanaticism increased under the apparent forbearance, but under the assumed protection of the Creator! until "the earth was filled with violence," and was, in consequence, devastated in a few generations.

198. Mankind, thus aspiring to be gods, ceased to be demi-gods; they fell, and in their fall, retaining little more than their acquired evil, it became habitual: in this, they were "fruitful;"

they subdued the earth, but it was with "violence;" they replenished the world, but it was with "evil;" until, considering man, generally,

every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

199. Thus, by an inundation of evil, was the essence of the world, or its good overwhelmed ; and as "the earth was filled with violence," the destruction of much animated matter, was but a natural consequence,

200. Such is the melancholy epitome of the history of the ante-deluvian world.

RENOVATION AND RELAPSE.

201. No sooner was the renovation of this ter restrial world complete, and the second father of mankind, charged by the great Renovator, in conformity with the first law of His creation, to "bring forth" " every living thing," "that they

may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful and multiply," than the Patriarch, with antedeluvian perverseness, "took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar."

202. "The Lord smelled a sweet saviour;" and thus the attonement was made; though "the Lord said in his heart"-" the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth."

203. Thus was the heart of the God of Revelations assimulated to the heart of man in evil; in it, acts of devastation and "violence" were

renewed.

204. Thus, the first devotional acts of the antedeluvians and those of the post-deluvians, corresponding in blood, have been equally adopted.

205. For, as the Patriarch is described to have "walked," so succeeding generations of men have "walked with God;" and however "just" "and perfect," his successors in the supposed favour of God have been equally "just ;" and, if possible, more "perfect," in continually sacrificing the "clean" to their great disadvantage, and to the advantage of the unclean, with more ap

pearance of selfish lust, and personal enmity, than of honour and obedience to the Creator!

206. Mankind, in post-deluvian degeneracy, seem to have been as precipitate as in their original fall; yet, falling, they did not cease to aspire; their thoughts still attempted to "reach unto Heaven;" but, in the reiterated attempt, mankind, degenerated, failed; for, in the complicated knowledge of theological evil, they had lost the recollection of that simple good which was the key to paradise: their language became confused; they dispersed; and, by their dispersion, confusion and superstitious evil became universal.

207. We have traced religious institutions and devotional actions, in general, to their source; and find the former to have sprung from superstition; and the latter from snperstitious fanaticism

208. The first devotional action, after the creation, was an act of devastation; accompanied with flagrant "violence."

209. In a few generations, "the earth," having been filled with violence," was regenerated in

vain.

210. The first act after the purgation was a renewal of "violence :" it was supposed to have, shortly after, prevailed against God: even now, "the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

211. Such a heaven may be constituted for the members of the church militant; to them such a God may be propitious; but widely different are our ideas of the Almighty, and of paradise!

212. Thus artificial evil was introduced, and partly eradicated, but reviving, was subsequently confused and dispersed; and however intermediately and partially depressed, by regeneration, natural good and artificial evil still continue so intermixed, as to leave almost as great difficulty in collecting the former as in tracing the latter.

213. Such the source and resource of human degeneracy from good.

214. Thus, the common conduct of mankind, in general, has, in blood, been found consistent with their dearest principles of Religion.

215. If, on the whole, remission could be pre

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