Q 



9 



Written at Crishnagkague, in 1786. 



" As meadows parch'd, brown groves, and withering flowers. 

 Imbibe the sparkling dew, and genial showers, 

 As chill dark air inhales the morning beam, 

 As thirsty harts enjoy the gelid stream, 

 Thus to man's grateful soul from Heaven descend 

 The mercies of his Father, Lord, and Friend ! " 



" In matters of eternal concern, the authority of the highest 

 human opinions has no claim to be admitted as aground of belief, 

 but it may with the strictest propriety be opposed to that of men 

 of inferior learning and penetration: and, whilst the pious derive 

 satisfaction from the perusal of sentiments according with their 

 own, those who doubt or disbelieve, should be induced to weigh 

 with candour and impartiality arguments which have produced 

 conviction in the minds of the best, the wisest, and most learned 

 of mankind. 



"Among such as have professed a steady belief in the doc- 

 trines of Christianity, where shall greater names be found than 

 those of Bacon and Newton ■? Of the former, and of Locke, it 

 may be observed, that they were both innovators in science: dis- 

 daining to follow the sages of antiquity through the beaten paths 

 of error, they broke through prejudices which had long obstructed 

 the progress of sound knowledge, and laid the foundation of science 

 on solid ground ; whilst the genius of Newton carried him extra 

 jiammantia mania mundi. These men, to their great praise, and we 

 may hope to their eternal happiness, devoted much of their time 

 to the study of the scriptures. If the evidence of revelation had 



