the alone-meritorious Righteoufnefs ofthe glorious Mediator; if a third addreffes the incommunicable Honours to a finite Being, and bows to the Image, or prays to the Saint-Thefe are Errors, extremely derogatory to the REDEEMER'S Dignity, and not a little prejudicial to the Comfort of his People. Against these to remonftrate, against these to urge every Argument, and use every Diffuafive; bespeaks not the cenforious Bigot, but the Friend of Truth, and the Lover of Mankind.-Whereas, to ftand neuter and filent, while fuch Principles are propagated, would be an Inftance of criminal Remiffness, rather than of Chriftian Moderation. -For the Perfons, we will not fail to maintain a tender Compaffion: we will not cease to put up earnest Interceffions: we will alfo acknowledge and love, whatever is excellent and amiable in their Character. Yet, we dare not fubfcribe their Creed; we cannot remit our affiduous, but kind Endeavours; if by any Means we may reconcile them to a more fcriptural Belief, and a purer Worfhip*.

ANO

* In fome former Editions, I expreffed myself, on this Point, unwarily and harshly. But my Meaning, and real Sentiments, were no other than thofe reprefented above. The Reader, from such unguarded Intimations, might too naturally be led to conclude, That the Author avows, and would stir up, a Spirit of Persecaution.

ANOTHER Circumftance, recommending and endearing the flowery Creation, is their regular Succeffion. They make not their Appearance all at once, but in an orderly Rotation. While a proper Number of these obliging Retainers are in waiting, the others abfcond; but hold themselves in a Pofture of Service, ready to take their Turn, and fill each his respective Station the Inftant it becomes vacant.-The Snowdrop, foremost of the lovely Train, breaks her Way through the frozen Soil, in order to present her early Compliments to her Lord. Dreffed in the Robe of Innocency, she steps forth, fearless of Danger; long before the Trees have ventured to unfold their Leaves, even while the Icicles are pendent on our Houses.--Next peeps out the Crocus; but cautiously, and with an Air of Timidity. She hears the howling Blafts, and fkulks close to her low Situation. Afraid fhe feems, to make large Excurfions from her Root; while fo many ruffian Winds are abroad, and fcouring along the Ether.Nor is the Violet laft, in this fhining Embassy of the Year. Which with all the Embellifhments,

cution. But, this is a Method of dealing with Opponents in religious Doctrines, which He difclaims, as abfurd; and abhors, as iniquitous. He is for no Force, but that of rational Conviction; for no Constraint, but that of affectionate Perfuafion. Thus, If you please, compel them to come in, Luke xiv. 23.

ments, that would grace a Royal Garden, condefcends to line our Hedges, and grow at the Feet of Briars. Freely, and without any Solicitation, she distributes the Bounty of her emiffive Sweets: while herself, with an examplary Humility, retires from Sight; feeking rather to adminifter Pleasure, than to win Admiration *. Emblem, expreffive Emblem, of those modest Virtues, which delight to bloom in Obfcurity: which extend a chearing Influence to Multitudes, who are fcarce acquainted with the Source of their Comforts! Motive, engaging Motive, to that ever-active Beneficence; which stays not for the Importunity of the Diftreffed, but anticipates their Suit, and prevents them with the Bleffings of its Goodness!-The poor Polyanthus, that lately adorned the Border with her fparkling Beauties; and, transplanted into our Windows, gave us a fresh Entertainment; is now no more. I saw her Complexion fade; I perceived her Breath decay; till at length the expired, and dropt into her Grave.—Scarce have we fuftained this Lofs, but in comes the Auricula, and more than retrieves it. Arrayed she comes in a fplendid Variety of amiable Forms; with an Eye of Crystal, and Garments of the moft gloffy Sattin; exhaling Perfume, and powdered with Silver. A very diftinguished Proceffion this! The favourite Care of the Florift!

*Prodoffe quam confpicit.

rift! Scarce one among them, but is dignified with a Character of Renown; or has the Honour to reprefent, fome celebrated Toaft. But these also, notwithstanding their illuftrious Titles, have exhaufted their whole Stock of Fragrance, and are mingled with the meanest Duft.-Who could forbear grieving at their Departure, did not theTulips begin to raise themselves on their fine Wands, or ftately Stalks? They flufh the Parterre with one of the gayeft Drelles, that blooming Nature wears. Did ever Beau or Belle make fo gaudy an Appearance. in a Birth-night Suit? Here, one may behold the innocent Wantonnefs of Beauty. Here, fhe indulges a Thousand Freaks, and fports herself in the most charming Diverfity of Colours. Yet, I fhould wrong her, were I to call her a Coquet; becaufe, the plays her lovely Changes, not to enkindle diffolute Affections, but to difplay her Creator's Glory.-Soon arifes the Anemone; incircled at the bottom, with a spreading Robe; and rounded, at the Top, into a beautiful Dome. In its loofely-flowing Mantle, you may obferve a noble Negligence; in its gently-bending Tufts, the niceft Symmetry. I would term it, the fine Gentleman of the Garden; becaufe, it feems to have learnt the fingular Addrefs, of uniting Simplicity with Refinement, of reconciling Art and Eafe.-The fame Month has the Merit of producing the

Ra

Ranunculus. All bold and graceful, it expands the Riches of its Foliage; and acquires, by Degrees, the lovelieft Enamel in the World. As Perfons of intrinfic Worth, difdain the fuperficial Arts of Recommendation, practifed by Fops, fo, this lordly Flower fcorns to borrow any of its Excellence, from Powders and Effences. It needs no fuch Attractives, to render it the Darling of the Curious; being fufficiently engaging from the Elegance of its Figure, the radiant Variety of its Tinges, and a certain fuperior Dignity of Afpect.-Methinks, Nature improves in her Operations. Her latest Strokes are most masterly. To crown the Collection, fhe introduces the Carnation. Which captivates every Eye, with a noble Spread of Graces; and charms another Senfe, with a Profufion of exquifite Odours. This fingle Flower has centred in itself, the Perfections of all the preceding. The Moment it appears, it fo commands our Attention, that we scarce regret the Absence of the rest. --The Gillyflower, like a real Friend, attends you through all the Viciffitudes and Alterations of the Season. While others make a transient Visit only, this is rather an Inhabitant, than a Guest in your Garden; adds Fidelity to Complaifance.

It is in vain to attempt a Catalogue of these amiable Gifts. There is an endless Multiplicity, in their Characters; yet an invariable Order, VOL. I.

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