NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 13 



tradiction ; yet you will find it a task difficult 

 enough to study the art of self- resignation. 



Tlieoph. Solomon, you grant, he refused wealth 

 for wisdom. But what think you of Saul, that 

 went as far as Endor, and rak'd up the ashes of 

 the dead to enquire a victory ? 



Arn. I think the case different, both in na- 

 ture and quality. The one chose wisdom, but 

 the other witchcraft ; so to connect them toge- 

 ther draws on a false conclusion, 



Theoph. Then the consequence follows. Saul's 

 reasoning with flesh and blood, as it was im- 

 pious so his application to sorcerers and necro- 

 mancers was also diabolical ; who, to accomplish 

 the end of his conspiracy, consults not Endor 

 only, but the brood of infernals. 



Arn. He did so, who denies it ? I know what 

 you'll alledg, you'll tell me the tree is known 

 by its fruits. I grant all this, and what then ? 

 yet I dare not interpret Saul a son of perdition. 

 God's mercy never wants wings to fly to the 

 disconsolate penitent, whose mercy super-excels 

 his divine acts of justice. Therefore, judg not 

 Saul, lest we judg ourselves ; when, by the heart 

 only, things are legibly construed. 



Theoph. It's true, the heart made legible dis- 

 covers a phenix or a vulture ; the first living, 

 (as Hippocrates says) and the last dying ; so that 



