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contract, which civilized nations had universally adopted, and which, when broken, rendered mankind a set of barbarians and brutes.

He next observed, all duties of this sort were reciprocal. Masters are to command with mercy; while servants are to submit and perform their office with fidelity. Parents are to educate with the tenderest affection; children are to obey with the puest simplicity and love. So as it respects the marriage union. Minds differ. It was certainly determined that the wife should submit and obey: she was "the first in transgression ;" but then the husband's duty is not the less to "love, cherish, and respect her," as "the weaker vessel." And while the divine mind has determined that she should be in subjection, yet such husbands as are blessed with the mind of Christ, will remember that they are directed to love their wives, as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of water, by the word. For that no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth it, and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church."

This excellent moralist, next asked the question, on evangelical principles: Will such Christians, act as tyrannic lords over their wives, because it is said "the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man ;" that "the man is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man ?

I once knew a pretended boaster of religion, who was ever quoting against his poor wife, that "the husband was the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church," and that " as the church is subject unto Christ, so wives are to be subject to their own husbands in all things:" and oh, how he used to bore the poor woman on these words, "in all things!" But let all these jarring-strings, be reduced into holy harmony and order, and let the wife learn, as the scripture has directed her, "to reverence

her husband;" and let her distinguished ornament be that of a meek, and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God, is of great price ;" and each of them will find in that happy union, their paradise regained.

Mr. Lovegood, at the same time, gave it as his opinion, that nothing is more beneficial to the good of society, than that young persons, blessed with the fear of God, should thus unite themselves to each other on an early day. That it was the duty of parents, not wantonly to thwart, though to regulate, the inclinations of their children, and that also in the mildest manner, as circumstances might require. But that, from the instances which had been before them in conversation, a similarity of disposition above all things, should be first sought for, yet not with rigid exactness. A good man may be over-generous: can he do better for himself than to seek for a partner, who is frugal and attentive, without being covetous and mean? Should another be hasty and rapid, what can he do better than to unite himself to one who is dispassionate and calm? And if the young woman has an unhappy tendency to that, which may be frivolous and indiscreet, who knows but that she may he much corrected, should she meet with a man who may be cautious and reserved? In short, that it is not so much the dispositions themselves as their evil tendency, through the corruption of mankind, against which we should be put upon our guard; as it was evidently not the disposition itself, but that disposition, being under a corrupted influence, which was the cause of every calamity, that had been the subject of their present conversation.

Mr. Lovegood also mentioned, that a little equality, as it respected money matters, might not be an improper consideration, as this too often creates the most unpleasant reflections, and disputes. And last of all, as being ultimately of the least conseqsence respecting age, he observed, though many inconve-niences from that quarter, arise from such inconside

rate unions, yet that it was beyond a doubt, a variety of old, and young fools, at least somewhat like it, good-natured creatures, have lived very happy with each other.

Mr. Lovegood, lastly urged some very impressive ideas respecting the sad perturbation of mind, created among all those of every rank, whose tempers were completely contrary to the holy mind of Christ. That even heaven itself would bear a semblance of hell, could such minds surround the holy throne above perfect holiness, and infinite happiness, are inseparably united.

Thus Mr. Lovegood went on well in moralising. So also my young readers would determine, had I time further to transcribe his wise, and good advice; and for their sakes, thus much is presented before them on this most important subject. There is something very engaging in the undisguised simplicity of unpolluted youth. Oh, that my dear young friends had the advice of a Lovegood always sounding in their ears; and the like grace, which is the delightful theme of his preaching, constantly dwelling in their hearts! Such will not only be graciously protected from the evils of life, but as mercifully directed into every path that is wise, and good. And under such regulations, how happy shall I be without fee or reward, so far as I can gain the permission of the Dolittles of the day, (while a denial from the Lovegoods is scarcely to be apprehended,) to tie the bond of union that makes the parties so happy in each other.

DIALOGUE XXXVII.

ANTINOMIANISM UNMASKED.

BETWEEN MR. LOVEGOOD, MR. MERRYMAN, MR. SAVORY, HIS COUSIN JOHN, AND MR. MALAPERT.

MR.

R. Lovegood receives the following letter from
Mr. Merryman.

MY DEAR SIR,

As you allow me to consult you without reserve, and under every difficulty; I must inform you of some recent events, which have filled me with the most serious apprehensions; lest the peace and prosperity which has hitherto so happily prevailed, should be interrupted by the vain janglings of some, who are attempting to make their inroads among us.

I am quite surprised, that no body of respectable dissenters, have found their way into the Town, while most of the inhabitants are in gross ignorance, excepting some Baptists, and a very few Quakers, of whom it seems there are but three families in the town. These collect together every Sunday morning, in a large room, contiguous to the house of one of them; but as they seldom have any public speaking among them, very little is known concerning them; though I fear, they are but ill acquainted with the doctrine of the atonement, and reconciliation with God, through the sacrifice of Christ; yet I find them very kind, and innocent neighbours, and am happy to treat them in return, with all the civility and

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attention in my power. On our evening lecture, some of them frequently steal into the Church, and affectionately acknowledge that they receive good from what they hear.

I wish I could speak as favourably of the Baptists; for I fear the one depend too much on their sanctification, for their justification; not a few of the others seem to deny the need of personal sanctification altogether; though I am happy to find some favourable exceptions to the general remark.

You know the character of their old minister. He has been ringing changes, these forty years, upon eternal justification, and what he calls imputed sanctification, and the perseverance of the saints; which seems little better, than a sort of inconsistent perseverance in laziness, and security; after they have persuaded themselves to rest in a self-conceited confidence, that they are right, without any evidence of the fact while the practical, and preceptive parts of the scriptures are treated by them with strange neglect.

;

It seems this old man has lately heard of some new seceders from the Church, with whom he is highly delighted, because they have adopted his sentiment about baptism, and have been rebaptised by immersion. One of these he has, unhappily for me, introduced into his pulpit, and curiosity has invited many to hear what this new light has to advance and alas! I am sorry to say, that there are some, who are fascinated with something, they know not what; while many artful innuendos are introduced, that they now hear the gospel fully, which they never heard before; intermixed at the same time, with such horrid insinuations, which are in my opinion, most intolerably profane; that "the greatest sins we can commit, can never alter our state, as it respects the covenant of grace ;" and that “God can never be angry with his elect, even when they commit the worst of crimes." Are we then to suppose that we are in the covenant of grace, without the

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