determine on their merits, but I must hazard a conjecture that they could not abound in evangelical instruction, or such a mind as yours would not have been sent home merely dissatisfied with itself. But I will not quarrel with the sons of thunder.' I wish we had more of them in our churches, and that their congregations, like yourself, returned dissatisfied to their houses; for in that case I am sure they will listen to the sons of consolation.' As you do not appear in the least disposed to join the cavillers of the day in setting up reason above revelation, I am a little surprised that you should complain so much of not understanding the Bible."

"Why, Sir,” replied Mr. Wilson, " you must know I read but little, but that little I am very anxious to comprehend, and, in general, a good plain book is level to my capacity. I find many verses in the Bible which I can make nothing of; how comes this when it is said he who runs may read." "It would be very surprising," resumed Mr. Nichols, " if, with the circumscribed information you represent yourself pos⚫essed of, you did not meet with some passage of scripture incomprehensible. They often allude to antient customs and phrases which persons acquainted with history can best explain, and a good commentator would clear up every difficulty of this nature. It is only the parts immediately connected with faith and practice which he who runs may read,' and these are the parts we should be chiefly anxious to understand." "You say true, Sir," replied Mr. Wilson, "I cannot recollect but one verse relating to faith or practice which has puzzled me greatly, and that I was told was of a doubtful interpretation, two of the words being in Italics, which shewed

they were not in the original. The words without the Italies are delightful, and would have made me happy had I not been so puzzled by them. When the Almighty condescended to appear to Moses, in answer to his petition 'shew me thy glory,' he is said to have descended in a cloud, and to have proclaimed himself 'The Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.""Now, Sir," continued Mr. Wilson, "this last clause of the verse seems to contradict the former, so I conclude here is a false translation."

"I should be sorry indeed," replied Mr. Nichols, "if the important doctrine of the atonement rested solely on this text of scripture; but in connection with numerous others, it may be misinterpreted, or an allusion to it. The words in Italics, which are necessary to complete the sense of the clause, the whole of which must otherwise be rejected, need not make you uneasy, if you believe that the Saviour was appointed as a sacrifice for sin." "Which I certainly do," returned Mr. Wilson, "for the prayer-book as well as the Bible says so. But how has this text any reference to that doctrine ?."

"The vicarious sufferings of Christ," resumed Mr. Nichols,"contain one of the most mysterious doctrines of scripture, and for that reason many persons reject it. They ask, why the Father should require such a sacrifice, and how the sufferings of the inno tent can atone for the transgressions of the guilty. But the plain language of seripture is it pleased the Father to bruise him, and put him to grief, to lay upon him the iniquity of his people, that by his stripes

6

they should be healed. And having put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, he is become the author of salvation, and the mediator of that new covenant by which God can be just while he is the justifier of those who believe in Jesus.' He is therefore the Lord God, merciful and gracious, although he does not clear the guilty, seeing he has exacted from their surety the penalty due to their transgressions.”

Mr. Wilson now remained silent for a considerable time, and his friend was content that he should, as he appeared deeply engaged in contemplation, he hoped, on the subject they were discussing. He was not mistaken in his conjecture, for Mr. Wilson resumed the conversation by remarking, "I am greatly obliged to you, Sir, for the light you have thrown on this text. Indeed, I seem to understand the doctrine itself in a clearer way than formerly. I have been supposing myself a bankrupt (though I have reason to be thankful I never was one in reality), thrown into prison by my creditor, and my debts nobly defrayed by some kind benefactor, in such a case justice as well as mercy would be engaged in my favour."

"Undoubtedly," returned Mr. Nichols, "but the case is not exactly parallel, for in such an one your love and gratitude would be due only to your benefac tor, whereas the scripture doctrine of the atonement represents both Father and Son as equally entitled to that love and gratitude. This is a truth which should. ever be kept in view, in order to our entertaining a rational as well as scriptural conception of the subject."

Mr. Nichols pursued the theme, and had the satisfaction of finding, the longer it was pursued, the deeper was his friend's attention riveted, and the more was

his understanding enlightened. We are deterred from laying the whole of this conversation before our readers, from the consideration that much abler pens have already discussed the subject, and acknowledge our aim in this history is chiefly to excite rather than to gratify a spirit of inquiry on the all-important subject of scripture doctrines.

The two gentlemen were at length roused from their argument by a sharp whistle, followed by a coarse voice, vociferating, “ Halloo! while you stand still in a narrow lane, who is to make their way out of it?" Mr. Nichols hastily looked round, and discovered a neighbouring Esquire of fox-hunting renown, who, mounted on a prancing nag, was about to pass the chaise with some difficulty, it being inconveniently situated in the middle of the lane. They received a cloud of dust and a rough compliment to their taste, as he galloped by them. "I had no idea," said Mr. Wilson, "that we were standing still." "Nor I neither, really," returned Mr. Nichols, looking for his whip, which he soon discovered at the bottom of the carriage. The fact was, that while the master was engaged by conversation, his humble servant the horse, chose his own pace for travelling. From a gentle trot, he changed into a kind of ambling motion, which degenerated into a sober walk, and at length ended in a standing dose, which had lasted about ten minutes, when the squire overtook him. The only punishment he received for this sad behaviour was a whisk across his ears, and a command "Go on Bobby." This had the desired effect, and once more regaining the gentle trot they had unawares lost, the two gentlemen soon came in sight of the edifice which was to terminate their short journey. "We

won't tell brother Gregory this adventure of ours," observed Mr. Wilson, “he will laugh, and some how or other, one does not like to be laughed at.” “Laugh, my good Sir,” rejoined Mr. Nichols, "the biographer of a man of genius would not wish for a better opportunity than such an adventure would afford him for honourable mention. Why, Sir, the first wits of the age would laugh at the world if they supposed it always gave them eredit for knowing what they were about "

CHAP. IX.

No sooner was the person of Mr. Nichols discovered from the prison windows, than the gate flew open, and an attendant appeared to take charge of the horse and chaise. The master of this formerly gloomy mansion soon made his appearance, and welcomed the two gentlemen with an air which proved to Mr. Wilson that his friend was considered as no common visitor.

Perhaps some may express a surprise at the words, formerly gloomy mansion, and question whether a prison must not always necessarily assume that title. Happily there are few circumstances of human woe excluded from the possibility of alleviation, and BritIsh benevolence does not confine itself to its own countrymen. This prison had been visited by several individuals, whose joint efforts towards the relief of these sons of adversity had rendered them as comfortable as the nature of their situation could admit.

First came a party of most noble visitors, who