a them as enthusiasm and folly, have inward feelings of their own, which, though they would, they cannot suppress. We have been too long in the secret ourselves, to account the proud, the ambitious, or the voluptuous, happy. We must lose the remembrance of what we once were, before we can believe that a man is satisfied with himself, merely because he endeavours to appear so. A smile upon the face is often but a mask worn occasionally and in company, to prevent, if possible, a suspicion of what at the same time is passing in the heart. We know that there are people who seldom smile when they are alone ; who, therefore, are glad to hide themselves in a throng from the violence of their own reflections; and who, while by their looks and language they wish to persuade us they are happy, would be glad to change their conditions with a dog. But in defiance of all their efforts, they continue to think, forebode, and tremble. This we know, for it has been our own state, and therefore we know how to commiserate it in others. From this state the Bible relieved us. When we were led to read it with attention, we found ourselves described. We learned the causes of our inquietude-We were directed to a method of relief-we tried, and we were not disappointed. DEUS NOBIS HÆC OTIA FECIT. We are now certain, that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth It bas reconciled us to God, and to ourselves; to our. duty, and our situation. It is the balm and cordial of the present life, and a sovereign antidote against the fears of death. Sed hactenus hæc. Some smaller pieces upon less a important subjects close the volume. Not one of them I believe, was written with a view to publication, but I was unwilling thev should be omitted. JOHN NEWTON. Charles' Square, Hoxton, February 18, 1782. TABLE TALK. 5 10 Si te fortè meæ gravis uret sarcina charte, Abjicito........Hor. lib. i. Epist. 13. B. I grant, that men continuing what they are, Let laurels, drench'd in pure Parnassian dews, 15 20 25 But let eternal infamy pursue 35 40 A. 'Tis your belief the world was made for man; B. Seldom, alas ! the power of logick reigns, 60 65 Keep vice restrain'd behind a double guard ; 1 To quell the faction that affronts the throne, 70 75 His life a lesson to the land he aways ; To touch the sword with conscientious awe, Nor draw it but when duty bids him draw; To sheath it in the peace-restoring close With joy beyond what victory bestows; 80 Blest country where these kingly glories shine! Blest England, if this happiness be thine ! A. Guard what you say; the patriotick tribe Will sneer and charge you with a bribe.--B. A bribe ? The worth of his three kingdoms I defy, 85 To lure me to the baseness of a lie ; And, of all lies, (be that one poet's boast,) The lie that flatters I abhor the most. Those arts be theirs, who hate his gentle reign, But he that loves him has no need to fain. 90 A. Your smooth eulogium to one crown address’d, Seems to imply a censure on the rest. B. Quevedo, as he teils his sober tale, Ask'd, when in Hell, to see the royal jail ; Approv'd their method in all other things ; 95 But where, good sir, do you confine your kings? There, said his guide-the group is full in view. Indeed ?-replied the Don-there are but few. His black interpreter the charge disdain'dFew, fellow ?-there are all that ever reign'd. 100 Wit, undistinguishing, is apt to strike The guilty and not guilty, both alike. I grant the sarcasm is too severe, And we can readily refute it here ; VOL. I. 2 |