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methinks, I enter them with Reluctance. Because, they are likely to put a Period to this agreeable Converfation. However, as my Afpafio enters with me, I am reconciled, I am fatisfied. It will be in his Power to restore the Pleasure, that muft now be interrupted. And this is what I fhall ere long requeft; because I have not spoke my whole Mind upon the prefent Subject.

Afp. Whenever You think proper, Theron. This is, to me, a favourite Subject: and not to me only, but to incomparably better Judges. -The Man, who had been caught up into the third Heavens, and feen the Vifions of GOD, determined to know nothing but JESUS CHRIST and Him crucified.. - At the grandeft Affembly, that ever was convened on Earth, this furnished the principal, if not the only Topic of Converfation. And in that World, where the Voice of Joy and Thankfgiving is perpetually heard, this constitutes the Burden of the Song; Thou waft flain, and haft redeemed Us to GOD by thy Blood †.

I Cor. ii. 2.

+ Rev. v. 9.

VOL. I.

K

DIA

DIALOGUE IV.

THERON.

MUST now defire my Afpafio to inform me, What that grand Afsembly was, (which He mentioned in the Clofe of our last Discourse) and where convened?

Afp. Can't you guess, Theron ?—Was it in the Plains of Theffaly; when Xerxes drew together the Forces of more than half the known World, and appeared at the Head of all the Potentates of the Eaft?-Was it in the Roman Forum; when the Senators were affembled in their Robes, and the Barbarians took them for a Synod of Gods?-No; it was on the Mount of Transfiguration. Where the Son of the true GOD, the LORD of eternal Glory, fhone forth in some of his celestial and native Splendor; with Garments white as the Snow *, and a Countenance bright as the Sun. Where

Mark ix. 3. The Evangelift's Defcription is, like the Scene, remarkably bright; and the Gradation of his Images,

is

Where he converfed with two of his most diftinguished Saints, juft come down from the Regions of Blifs and Immortality: with Mofes the great Deliverer of the Law, and with Elijah the refolute Reftorer of its Honours. Where he was attended by three of his principal Ambaffadors; who were to be the Reformers of Mankind, and the Lights of the World.

This, I think, is the moft venerable and auguft Affembly, that the Annals of History have recorded. And what was the Topic of Converfation, amongst thefe illuftrious Perfonages ?—Not the Affairs of State, nor the Revolutions of Empire; not the curious Refinements of Literature, nor the wonderful Difcoveries of Philofophy; but the ignominious and bloody Exit *, which the divine JESUS was foon to make at Jerufalem.—This Circumstance, methinks, fhould recommend the Subject to our frequent Difcourfe; even though it

is almost as worthy of Obfervation, as the memorable Fact. -The Garments were white-exceeding white-white as the Snow-whiter than any Fuller on Earth could make them-furpaffing all the Works of Art, equalling the first and finest Productions of Nature-Nay, fo great was the Luftre, that it glistered (sysveto 51λbovta) like the Lightening, and even dazzled the Sight.

* Does not this very delicately, yet very ftrongly intimate, That the Sufferings and Death of CHRIST, were the principal End of the Mofaic Inftitutions, and the principal Subject of the Prophetic Teachings? For, is it not natural to fuppofe, that Mofes and Elijah intended, when miniftering on Earth, that very Thing, which their Converfation dwelt upon, when they defcended from Heaven?

it was less eminent, for intrinsic Dignity, and comfortable Import.

Talking in this manner, they arrive at the Park. Which, the Moment You enter, fills the View with its bold, inlarged, and magnificent Sweep. It was diverfified with level and rifing Ground. Here, fcooped into mimic Amphitheatres; with the Deer pendent on the little Summit, or fhooting down the eafy Precipice. There, raifed into gentle Hillocs; fome of which were canopied with a large, fpreading, folitary Oak; others were tufted with a Clufter of tapering and verdant Elms. Two or three Cafcades, gleaming from afar, as they poured along the graffy Slope, gave a pleafing Variation to the Profpect: While they startled the timorous unexperienced Fawns, with their foaming Current, and watery Roar.-Grandeur and Simplicity seemed to be the Genius of the Place. Every thing breathed an Air of noble Negligence, and artless Majesty.

In the Center of all, rofe a curious romantic Mount.-Its Form was exactly round; fomewhat like a Sugar-loaf, lopt off a little below the Point. Not co-eval with Nature, but the Work of human Induftry. Thrown up, 'tis fuppofed, in those perilous Times, when Britain was alarmed by foreign Invasions, or bled with inteftine Wounds. It was covered, all

around,

around, with Eldar-fhrubs: Whofe Ranks, gradually rifing, and fpreading Shade above Shade, compofed a kind of woody Theatre: Through which were struck two or three spiral Walks; leading, by a gentle Afcent, and under embowering Verdure, to the Summit.

At proper Intervals, and on every Side of the Hill, were formed little Arborets; with Apertures, cut through the Boughs, to admit a Profpect of the Country.-In one or other of thefe leafy Boxes, You command, at every Hour of the Day, either the Sun or the Shade. -All along the winding Avenues, and all around the beauteous Refts, fprung Daffodils, Primroses, and Violets: which, mingling with Hyacinths and Cowflips, compofed many a charming Piece of natural Mofaic.

How agreeable, as they climb the circling Path, to reflect on the happy Change, that has now taken Place!-Where fteely Helmets gleamed, or brazen Shields clafhed, the Gold finches twitter their Loves, and display their painted Plumes. The Dens of Rapine, or the horrid Haunts of Bloodfhed, are become the Retreats of calm Contemplation, and friendly Converfe. In yonder lower Spaces, where the armed Troops were wont to patrol; from whence they made Excurfions, to ravage the Villages, or terrify the Swains; the Fallow-Deer trip lightly, or the full-headed Stags stand at Bay.

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