OFSERPENTa 189 



ivith infatiahJe ThirJ},. Ot tlie Hebrew word Saraph^ the 

 Greeks^ by changing the Polition and Order of Letters, have bor- 

 rowed the Name Prefter^ which is a kind of fiery venemous Ser- 

 pent, called alfo Dipfai and Caufon., whofe Wound is accom- 

 panied with a moll; vehement Heat and Thiril, and generally in- 

 curable, as fome have formerly faid. They may be properly called 

 Fiery, as their Colour was glowing, a proper Reprefentative of 

 Fire. In the Wejl-hidies 2iXQ Adders, red as Blood, about (tvtn 

 or eight Foot long, and appear by Night as a burning Coal *. 



2. They might be called Fiery 2M0, from a moral Confidera- 

 tion 3 for, that raging Heat in the Body might reprefent the out- 

 ragious Diforders of the Mind, flowing from confcious Guilt, 

 neither of which were the Attendants of an original State. Hence, 

 perhaps, it is that Satan's Tetnptatiofjs are flyled Jiery Darts, be- 

 caufe when complied with, they kindle a Fire in the ConfciencCj 

 a Prognoftick, and Tafte of the Unquenchable -f-. 



And indeed, what are all uneafy Senfations, but the Venom 

 of the old Serpent ? thence, that long Train of Complaints and 

 Groans. Remetnber from 'whence thou art fallen^ is the Language 

 of every Calamity, but no calamitous Impreffion fo terrible, as 

 that which alarms the Mind about the awful Futurity. Of Sin 

 it is faid, that at laft, it will bite like a Serpent, and jling like an 

 Adder J. 



What fillM Adanis Mind with Horror and Confternation P 

 What made him run with wild Confufion among the Trees to 

 hide himfelf? What was he afraid of? He, who was Lord of 

 the Earth, and Image of the Almighty ? Was not he in Paradife, 

 the Garden of God 5 whence then this fudden and mighty Pa- 

 nick ? What produced this great and afioniihing Change in one 

 who had a friendly latercourfe with God a little before ? Oh ! 

 'twas Guilt, Guilt, Guilt, A Confcioufnefs of his iniquitous 

 Compliance with the Serpent. What were thofe anxious dif- 

 quieting Thoughts that kindled the Fire in his Breafl:, but the ve- 

 nemous, fiery Darts of Satan r" 



JUDAS is another Example ; a Perfon highly honour'd by 

 Chrift, v/ho made him his Ambaffador Extraordinary to the- 

 Houfe of IJ'rael, and Treafurer of his Houfe and Privy Counfellofj, 



* Atl. Amerka-y 179. f E^h^.v'i. \6, )St'Av)=— >Te7rupa'fi4^^' 



