the main a reality or a fiction?-Whether some undoubted historical event, allowed to have happened several thousand years ago, and now become of no consequence, fell out a few years sooner or later?-Or whether a certain city of the same antiquity, was situated on a mountain or a plain, on this or the other side of a river, and had walls a hundred cubits high, or only fifty? Yet these, or similar disquisitions, have often occupied the learned world, and excited the wonder or ridicule of the unlearned.

Among the subjects of philosophical and metaphysical debate, it is a consolation to reflect, that many of them are unmeaning or frivolous, many too abstruse for vulgar minds, and many too wild and absurd to be generally mischievous. Besides it must be remembered, that in these intellectual collisions, light is sometimes struck out which leads to useful discoveries.

How much has the speculative part of mankind been agitated, at different periods, by questions such as the following: Are substantial forms distinguishable from the

matter in which they are supposed to exist? -Are genera and species, entia rationis?— Can an accident pass from one subject to another?-Are the essences of things indivisible or eternal ?-Is eternity a successive duration?-Does the divine knowledge comprehend negations and privations?—Is there any heat in fire or smell in a rose?—Is there an external world, or, in other words, are sun, moon, and stars, our rivers and cities, our fleets and armies, nothing more than unsubstantial visions, or bare ideas in the mind? These are questions which have produced, and others like them, or the same may again produce, much subtle controversy among persons of a curious, inquisitive, or sceptical turn; but are never likely to make any serious impression upon the great mass of mankind, who are happily too busy or too dull to interest themselves in such idle, absurd, yet often dangerous speculations.

II. In the discussion of political questions, as they generally come nearer to our interests, there is more need to watch over

our peace. No wise man will venture upon these seas unless compelled by his duty; and should his situation in life require him to take a part in such discussions, he will be careful to conduct himself with moderation, to make every equitable concession to his opponents, and to maintain a prudent jealousy of his own opinions and party.

It is a relief amidst such controversies to consider, that, by a lively display of the natural rights of man on the one hand, and the necessity of government and subordination on the other, they may equally serve to check the tyranny of rulers, and to enforce a due obedience on the part of the subject.

And though it is true that political opinions are often no more than the pretexts of interest or ambition, of men out of place, who endeavour to supplant those who are in; yet even in this case we must not forget, that in the present corrupt state, where all power is in so much danger of abuse, no free government is likely to continue long without a vigilant opposition; and if true patriots step not forward to undertake this service, it may be better to have it performed

by others who falsely assume the title, than to see it absolutely abandoned. Indeed to maintain an exact poise may be deemed impracticable; the balance will be sure to incline on one side; and all that can be done by the most disinterested and enlightened patriotism, is, by constitutional and seasonable checks, to preserve the state from running into the extreme either of tyranny or anarchy; evils, of such a magnitude, that it may not be easy to determine which of them is greater, or which more strongly indicates the avenging hand of heaven against a sinful nation. On the whole, however, I conceive the world to have suffered most from the former, which sometimes by open violence, and oftener by a secret corrosion, has destroyed the peace and comfort of millions. It is an evil which may endure for ages; whereas anarchical commotions, like hurricanes or earthquakes, though frequently tremendous while they continue, are of a transient nature. Hence of all human interests, none is more sacred than that of rational liberty; and of all human characters, none more honourable than that

of a temperate and steady advocate for the natural and just rights of mankind.

III. Amidst this noisy contentious world it might have been expected, that the church, at least, would have proved a calm and quiet refuge; yet the case is often much otherwise. Besides its tossings from without, this harbour is subject to many internal commotions of its own; it is the best however we can meet with on this side heaven.

I shall here assume what, I suppose, will

easily be granted, that notwithstanding the various heresies which from time to time have rent the peace of christian societies, of those differences which have divided truly good men, the greater part have been of small moment, and the rest more in name than in reality.

He, therefore, who duly consults his religious quiet, will direct his attention to those points in which he observes humble and pious christians are essentially agreed, and will studiously endeavour to avoid all nominal and unimportant controversy.

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