book thus: "As for the Gods, whether they are or are not, I have nothing to say."-The magiftrates of Athens highly resented this profane trif ling with things facred, banished him out of their city, and condemned his book to be burnt by the common executioner. And after this; when he and his friend Pyrrho were afked, why they walked fo much alone? they answered, "It was 'to meditate how they might be good," and being hereupon further asked, what neceffity there was for being good, if it be not certain that there is a God? they replied, "It cannot be certain that there is none; and therefore it is prudence to provide against the worft."

1

A

Chinese Anecdote.

HE Emperor Tay Ming having loft his way,

TH

and over-heated with riding in the fultry hours, thence urged by an intolerable thirst, he had recourfe to the cave of a poor Hermit, who, in the peace of his retirement, was cultivating a small fpot, at the foot of the mountain Tchang Khawn. The Hermit, who knew him perfectly well, of

fered

fered to him fome difhes of Souchong tea, toge ther with the delicious fruit of the Focheou, or wild apricots, which grew thereabouts in great perfection, the Emperor most graciously accepted this refreshment. After which, having fomewhat of a taste for botany, he was pleased to bestow a look on the little garden of the humble folitary. There were in it fome curious plants, and among them one fingularly fo, none of the like having ever been fo much as feen within the purlieus of the Imperial Palace. It was called the Plant of Truth, and was a fpecies of the Mimofa or Senfitive kind. The Hermit then pointed out to the Emperor its political virtue: it was fuch, that at the approach of any falfe friend to the owner of the garden, it fhrunk, and curled its leaves inwards, with apparent figns of horror: on the contary, when the friend was real and fincere, it gave manifeft tokens of enjoying his prefence, and with a more vivid verdure, feemed to exprefs a grateful fenfation." Phooh, faid the Emperor, looking difdainfully at this marvellous plant, I have, at my Court, no need of fuch a teft: I am already provided, I keep two books, the one with a gilt binding, the other with a black. In my black book are registered fuch as I am told, deserve to be reprobated by me for ever. In my golden book I have fet down the names of those

who,

who, I have been affured, merit my favour and confidence."-"Alas," faid the Hermit, who knew full well by what informers thofe writings were infpired, "your Majefty could hardly be better advised than to burn your books, or, at least, change them!"

RELIGION.

RELIGION is a thing much talked of but lit

tle understood; much pretended to, but very little practifed; and the reason why it is fo ill practifed, is, because it is fo little understood; knowledge, therefore, muft precede religion, fince it is neceffary to be wife, in order to be virtuous, it must be known to whom, and upon what account duty is owing, otherwife it never can be rightly paid. It must therefore be confidered, that God is the object of all religion, and that the foul is the fubject wherein it exifts and refides. From the foul it muft proceed, and to God it muft be directed, as to that Almighty Being whofe power alone could create a rational foul, and whose goodness only could move him to make it capable of an eternal felicity, which infinite bounty of God has laid a perpetual obligation upon the foul

to

to a conftant love, obedience and adoration of him. And to an undoubted affurance, that the fame power and goodness that created man, will for ever preserve him and protect him, if he perseveres in the fincere performance of his duty. The body can have no other share in religion, than by its geftures to represent and discover the bent and inclination of the mind, which representations alfo, are but too often falfe and treacherous, deluding those that behold them, into the opinion of a faint, but truly discovering a notorious hypocrite to God, who fees how diftant his intentions are from his pretences. People are as much deceiv ed themselves, as they deceive others, who think to use religion as they do their beft cloaths, only wear it to church, and on funday to appear fine, and make a fhow, and with them, as foon as they come home again, lay it afide carefully, for fear of wearing it out: That religion is good for nothing that is made of fo flight a ftuff, as will not endure wearing, which ought to be as conftant a covering for the foul, as the fkin is to the body, not to be divided from it; divifion being the ruin of both. Nor muft it be thought that religion confifts only in bending the knees, which is a fitting pofture of humility; but in the fervent and humble adoration of the foul. Nor in the lifting up of the hands and eyes, but in the warmth of

the affection. Outward geftures and decent behaviour, are things very fit and reasonable, being all that the body can pay ; but it is inward fincerity alone that can render them both acceptable. Much less does religion confift in difmal looks and four faces, which only fhows, that it is very unpalatable to those who make them; and it feems as if they were swallowing of fomething that went grievoufly against their ftomachs. 'Tis likewife to be confidered, the frequency and fervency of prayers gives it acceptance, not the length of them. That one prayer rightly addreffed to God from a well difpofed mind, is more efficacious than ten fermons carelessly heard, and more carelessly practifed. But hearing being a much easier duty than praying, because it can often change unto fleeping, is therefore preferred to it, by a great many people. But if in the end, their profound ignorance will not excuse them, I am fure their ftupid obftinacy never will. But there are so many virtues required in order to praying rightly, that people think, perhaps, that it would take up too much. time and pains to acquire them. And they are much in the right, if they think their prayers will be infignificant without them, and that an ill man can never pray well, and to purpose; for the stream will always partake of the fountain. And if the mind, which is the fountain of all our addreffes to

God,