In a terrible storm at sea, a seaman took notice, that the rest of his shipmates were praying severally to so many Saints. "Have a care, my friends," says he,

what you do; for what if we should all be drowned now before the messenger can deliver his errand? would it not be better, without going so far about, to pray to him that can save us without help."

REFLECTION.

"What needs any man make his court to the servant," says Sir Roger L'Estrange, "when his access is open to the master? and especially when that master is as ready to give, as the petitioner to ask."-With regard to secular matters, we are told a pleasant story of one of our princes, King Charles II. He had often observed a country gentleman attending to speak with one of his

first ministers; and once passing through the apartment where the gentleman happened to be alone, he asked him his business. He told him, that he was attending upon his minister, as he had often done, for such a post in his Majesty's gift. The King asked him, what he was to give for it to the minister? he said £1000. The King humorously told him, he should have it, and bid him give him £500. and keep the other £500. to himself; and if he or his friends wanted any more such bargains, he might apply to himself directly, and be served at half price.

66

A PRESUMPTUOUS Scoffer at things sacred took a journey to Delphi, on purpose to try if he could put a trick upon Apollo. He carried a sparrow in his hand under his coat, and told the God, "I have something in my hand," says he: "Is it dead or living?" If the oracle should say it was dead, he could shew it alive; if living, it was but squeezing it, and then it was dead. He, that saw the iniquity of his heart, gave him this answer: "it shall even be which of the two thou pleasest: for it is in thy choice to have it either the one or the other, as to the bird, but it is not in thy power as to thyself;" and immediately struck the bold Scoffer dead, for a warning to others.

REFLECTION.

that by insensible degrees to atheism: for when men have once cast off a reverence for religion, they are come within one step of laughing at it.

That there's a God all nature loud proclaims,
Tho' the vile Athiest the great truth disclaims;
Or warp'd by prejudice, or sunk in sin,
His fright'ned conscience feels the lash within.

THE Dog sued the Sheep for a debt, of which the Kite and the Wolf were to be judges. They, without debating long upon the matter, or making any scruple for want of evidence, gave sentence for the plaintiff; who immediately tore the poor Sheep in pieces, and divided the spoil with the unjust judges.

REFLECTION.

Deplorable are the times, when open bare-faced villainy is protected and encouraged, when innocence is obnoxious, honesty contemptible, and it is reckoned criminal to espouse the cause of virtue. Men originally entered into covenants and simple compacts with each other for the promotion of their happiness and wellbeing, for the establishment of justice and public peace.