74 THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. words, or to explain them better, by adding this restriction or limitation, viz. Unless this innocent being were some way in- volved in another's sin, or stood as a voluntary surety for the guilty :" by this limitation he secured the great and blessed doe, trine of the sacrifice of Christ for the sins of men, and learnt to be more cautious in his concessions for time to come. Two months ago Fatalio had almost tempted his friendFi- dens to leave off prayer, and to abandon his dependence on the providence of God in the common affairs of life, by obtainingof him a concession of the like kind. Is it not evident to reason, says Fatalio, that God's immense scheme of transactions in the universe, was contrived and determined long before you and I were born ? Can you imagine, my dear Fidens, that the blessed God changes his original contrivances, and makes new interrup- lions in the course of them so often as you and I want his aid, td prevent the little accidents of life, or toguard us from them ? Can you suffer yourself to be persuaded, that the great Creator of this world takes care to support a bridge which was quite rotten; and to make it stand firm a few minutes longer till you had rode over it ? Or will he uphold a falling tower while we two were passing by it, that such worths as yon and I are might escape the ruin ? But you say, ,you prayedfor his protection in the morning, and he certainly hears prayer. I grant he knows it : but are you so fond and weak, said he, as to suppose that the universal Lord of all had such a regard to a word or two of your breath, as to make alterations inhis own eternal scheme upon that ac- count ? Nor is there any other way whereby his providence cart preserve you in answer to prayer, butby creating such perpetual interruptions, and changes in his own conduct according to your dailybehaviour. I acknowledge, says Fidens, there is no other way to se- cure the doctrine of divine providence in all these common MLitt ; and therefore I begin to doubt, whether God does or ever will. exert himself- so particularly in our little concerns. Have a care, good Fidens, that you yield not too far : take heed lest you have granted too much to Fatalio. Pray let -me ask of you, could not the great God, who grasps and sur- veys all future and distant things in one single viewcould not be from the beginning foresee your morning prayer for his pro- tection, and appoint all second causes to concur for the support of that crazy bridge, or to make that old tower stand firm till you had escaped the danger? Or could not he cause all the me- diums towork so as to make it fall before you come near it ? Can he not appoint all his own transactions in the universe, and every event in the natural world, in away of perfect eorrespoodence with hisown fore - knowledge of all the events, actions and ap-
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