A RHAPSODY. 125 
With the eye of contemplation, I faw the almighty looking 
down with parental tendernefs on all the children of men ; ob- 
ferving all their words, and aCtions ; all the counfels and de- 
vices of their hearts • slow in punishing their crimes, and 
delighting in their virtues 1 I confidered myfelf of the fpe- 
cies of created beings, the nobleft of the vifible world,, and, ap- 
pointed by god, under his own government, the fovereigns of it. 
I reflected how plentifully nature, or that course of things 
which is direCled by god, has provided for all our wants ; and 
that the omnipotence of this great governor of the univerfe, is 
conftantly employed to guard, and to preferve us through the 
journey of life. 
Hence it was but common virtue to conclude, with what a 
warmth of gratitude! with what a steady, uniform purpofe 
of foul ! with what a sincerity of heart, we ought to employ 
our freedom of acting, to engage the continuance of his love 
and protection ! — His loving-kindnefs and mercy will endure 
through all the viciflltudes of this mortal flate ; through all the 
changes we mull pafs ; beyond all the records of time 5 far, far 
beyond the utm'oft periods which the human foul can grafp, 
even to eternity ! 
After indulging this reverie, like a common mortal I pur- 
fued my journey on the furface of the globe, in hopes that we 
were all in the fair road to that elyzium, of which the warmed 
imagination of poets, or the heart, darning with feraphic love,, 
can form but imperfeCt ideas. 
And: 
