ment of his own glory. So all this good was brought about at Locksbury, indirectly, by her unhappy elopement, in submitting to the intrigues of the abominable Sir Charles Dash.

Wor. But, under such uncommon displays of divine mercy, what need there is to guard our minds against the sad temptation of doing evil, that good may be the result.

Loveg. Yes Sir, St. Paul's caution on that subject, is truly wise and good: but all true penitents, are sure to be preserved from such presumptuous sins, while they fear God, and tremble at his holy word. The idea of apostatizing into sin, will be more tremendous to them than hell itself: such as are among the pure in heart, who shall see God, will never more wallow in the filth of sin.

After this, commenced a deal of talk about regeneration, on which point Mr. Lovegood was very accurate, and great, and it might b ery edifying if here transcribed for the reader's perusal. But as these Dialogues have already swollen far beyond the original design, nothing further shall be related, than an abridgment of the present subject.

Mr. Reader wrote to Mr. Lovegood about a fortnight after his departure, sending him the most desirable information he himself could possibly have wished to have received, as it respected his visit to Locksbury. This letter threw an abundance of labour into the hands of that attentive and invaluable servant of God. He had first to write Mr. Reader a letter, half as long as a sermon, for his own private instruction; then he conceived it necessary to aid Mr. Reader, in giving him some heads of sermons, upon a better plan than what he formerly adopted : and, besides all this, he had to write a variety of letters to each of his new friends at Locksbury; as from the state of spiritual ignorance in which he

VOL. III.

6

found them, he thought it necessary to give them individually, a copious share of his wise, and pastoral advice.

While thus engaged, he received a letter from his old friend, Mr. Slapdash, informing him of his intention to give him a visit: for though he had never seen him since his removal from Abley, yet, that now, providence seemed to grant him a release, he hoped they might be indulged with an interview with each other, from the following cause: His church was much out of repair, and wanted also a considerable enlargement. He had been reading prayers, and preaching in the Church yard, as long as the season would permit, that on this account he should have about three sabbaths to spare before the public service could recommence. This unexpected event, gave Mr. Lovegood an opportunity to repeat his visit to Locksbury, much sooner than he intended ; he having been brought to a determination thereby, to pass the first sabbath with Mr. Slapdash at Brookfield, and then offer his services at Locksbury, for the two last sabbaths, his good old friend meant to continue in those parts. Matters being thus settled, Mr. Lovegood immediately determined upon a considerable abridgement of his epistolary design as a personal interview with his new friends was likely so soon to be renewed. On the arrival of Mr. Slapdash, the reader may expect a further narration of events.

DIALOGUE XXXV.

THE REV. MR. SLAPDASH, MR. MERRYMAN, AND
MR. LOVEGOOD.

THE FOLLY AND EVILS OF SECTARIAN BIGOTRY EXPO. SED: TOGETHER WITH A FURTHER ILLUSTRATION OF THE CHARACTER OF MR. SLAPDASH.

A Brookfield.

T the time appointed, Mr. Slapdash arrived at He first went to the Vicarage; but as Mr. Lovegood's house, and pocket, were too scanty to deal much in the entertainment of others, he was immediately conducted to Mr. Worthy's where he was most affectionately received, according to the standing order of that hospitable house.

Here Mr. Slapdash first met with Mr. and Mrs. Merryman, who where there on a visit, after their marriage. The unmeaning compliments of the people of the world, are never needed among those who

love the Lord Jesus in sincerity:" Mr. Slapdash says, he never had any, and therefore never attempted to fabricate them. The courtesy of the Christian being composed of better materials however, was not wanting. A deal of conversation naturally took place, and as it related to that variety of events, which have already been made known to the reader. These were heard with delight, and rapture by Mr. Slapdash, and attended with such remarks, as might naturally be expected from one of his warm, and animated, yet affectionate, turn of mind.

Mr. Lovegood however, was very desirous to hear

how matters stood at Abley, after he had been dismissed from his curacy; and one morning, after breakfast, Mr. Worthy being detained at home on some business as a magistrate, the three ministers walked around the pleasure grounds, when the following conversation took place.

Loveg. I am anxious to know how matters are at Abley since I left them. Does Mr. Steepleman continue in the curacy, who was sent to succeed me, when I received my dismissal ?

Slapd. Aye, he has been preaching up the Church, till he has driven almost all the people out of the Church; and has been preaching against schism, till they are all turned schismatics, at least in his esteem, throughout the neighbourhood.

Mer. What sort of a character is he?

Slapd. Why, he is half a papist.-In some of his high flying notions, he is quite a papist.

Loveg. Hush! Hush! my good brother you always speak so vehemently.

Slapd. There is no taking the devil by the nose, but with a pair of tongs :* and I am sure Mr. Steepleman's doctrines is completely popish, and where can that lead to, but to the devil?

Loveg. A heavy charge, brother Slapdash!

Slapd. No more than just, be it ever so heavy. Who can bear the thought, that a set of ruined sinners should have their eyes, and hopes turned from God, to seek for salvation in outward Churches, as they are called, and in the tricks of priests?

Mer. [To Lovegood.] Why, there is a deal of truth in the observation; thousands, in different ways, are deluded by these means: I shall take sides

* Alluding to a popish legendary story, respecting St. Dunstan; when the devil accosted him as a tempter, the saint took him by the nose with a pair of tongs.

with Mr. Slapdash. But do Sir, be more particular about Mr. Steepleman's religion.

Slapd. Sir, salvation with him is just the same as with the papists. He has scarcely any thing to urge, but that you must keep yourself in the church, and trust in her priesthood." As to our good old reformers, while they universally charged the Church of Rome as Antichrist, Mr. Steepleman tells us, she is the true old Christian Church, and the mother of us all; and that though in some things it might have been necessary to reform, yet that in others we have gone too far. The power of the keys, is his favourite topic, and that Jesus Christ has delegated, all the powers of salvation to the priesthood, who can turn in, and turn out, lock in, and lock out, just as they please. He says the Reformers ruined the Church, by giving up confession and absolution.

Mer. It seems, that Mr. Deliberate spent two years of his time in Ireland, before he came into these parts; and he gives an awful account, of the horrid evils of priestcraft in that country. He tells us, that thousands of the poor ignorant papists, can live in open violation of the pure and holy law of God, without the least apparent remorse; but directly as they transgress the laws of their Church, or the directions of their priesthood, they are alarmed at the consequences, as though certain damnation were just about to overtake them; and I fear that Mr. Steepleman's religion, is but one shade better.*

Loveg. How many thousands there are, of all quarrelsome sects, "who make void the law through their traditions ;" and how terribly are the consciences of sinners, screened from conviction, and hardened in sin thereby!

Slapd. Now, I said it, and I think I can stand to it, that Mr. Steepleman is quite a papist at least as

* See much of this in Sir. R. Musgrave's account of the late rebellion in Ireland.