dare to contradict? Mark thofe wife fellows of yore, who call'd themfeives SPECTATORS, TATLERS, &C. (names enough to win all the women in the realm) mark them, I tell thee, how fhrewdly they have interfpers'd their works with commendations and cenfures, praise and flattery, advice and raillery, and in short with all things capable of procuring the good graces of the female world! What then wou'd I have thee do, but follow their example? and if you like what I propofe, believe me, I'll arm in the cause of the Ladies-Myfelf will mount the roftrum in their favour, and affift you in all things fuitable for the discharge of your duty there. Be it therefore known that the STUDENT intends to make fome excurfions into the world, and fee what's doing there: that he intends to leave his books and cobweb-cubicle, to fpruce up, and enter himself into the worthy fraternity of fine gentlemen, and begs the LADIES would henceforth know him by that title; and the foberfuited Academic rums look on his other fide, and view him ftill in his philofophic garb of The STUDENT.

I am, &c. Dear Brother, thine,

Cambridge, March 5, 1750.

D.

On the abufe of SCRIPTURE in converfation.

W

Hoever believes the writers of the Holy Scriptures to

have been divinely infpired, muft be fenfible of the infinitely fuperiour excellency of thofe facred books to all human compofitions: and whoever confiders them as the oracles of God, (wherein the redemption of mankind is explained, and the duties neceffary to the attainment of eternal falvation are laid down and enforced) muft likewise allow them to be the fource of all true knowledge and useful learn

ing;

ing; and from thence infer the neceffity and obligation of paying the higheft regard to them. A peculiar esteem and veneration is undoubtedly due to writings fo eminently dif tinguish'd from all others; and in order to preserve such an efteem, men fhould not only ftudy them with attention, but alfo never speak of them but with the greatest seriousness and reverence. Every abuse of Scripture is extreamly culpable and dangerous: the contempt and derifion, it meets with from infidels, is but too notorious; and the fhameful liberty, which fome christians have taken in perverting it to the most wicked purposes, is equally well known. The bad effects of these abuses every man must be senfible of: there is one inftance however, in which feveral good and well-meaning perfons, as well as others, are very apt to abuse it, which is feldom taken notice of; what I mean is, a frequent and unferious alluding to it in our ordinary difcourfe, and thereby making it the subject of our wit and mirth.

This ludicrous treatment of Scripture is now become fo fashionable, that few people think there is any harm in it: yet, I am perfuaded, it is very unbecoming a good christian, as being in reality a profanation of the Word of God, and therefore (to use the words of a late eminent prelate) a very great degree of impiety and profaneness. He that quotes Scripture upon every trivial occafion, feems to fet no greater value on it than on the works of an heathen poet: he has recourse to both for the fame end, and ufes either of them without diftinction, as it beft ferves to display his wit, and entertain the company. All he aims at is to be facetious ; and if an Ode of HORACE won't ferve his turn, he makes no fcruple of referring to an Epistle of St. PAUL.

Every man's experience will convince him of the truth of this obfervation. The confequence of fuch a practice, I think, is obvious; namely, that a ludicrous treatment of the Scriptures muft by degrees leffen our efteem for them, and make us lefs inclined to read them with ferioufnefs and at

tention,

tention, and direct our lives according to the rules they prescribe. A youth that should make the inftruction of his father, or tutor, the usual fubject of his wit and laughter, would not be thought to have regard for them, or be much disposed to follow them: and if he were not openly taxed with difobedience, he would at least appear greatly wanting in duty and respect. What regard then can thofe perfons be reasonably supposed to have for the inspired writings, who are continually quoting and alluding to them in the midft of their mirth and gaiety? They may, 'tis true, have no bad defign; but that their behaviour should have no bad effect (as well upon themselves as others) cannot well be imagined. Such a reverence, as is due to the Word of God, is not to be taken up in the clofet, and then laid afide again, when we come into company: it must be conftant and uniform, and have a proper influence upon our words, as well as upon our private thoughts and meditations. For when a ludicrous treatment of religious fubjects is become habitual· to us, we fhall have but little relifh for religious enquiries; and when Scripture is made the standard of our wit and humour, it will foon ceafe to be the rule of our lives and actions.

And as fuch a profanation of Scripture muft have a very bad effect on the perfons that are guilty of it; it is likewise no fmall encouragement to the enemies of chriftianity, to exult in their iniquity and vigorously promote their wicked caufe. The deift and freethinker are ready enough to lay hold on every opportunity to blafpheme the Word of God; and think they have a very good argument against the divine authority of Scripture, when they fee how it is treated by those who profefs to believe it. No art will be wanting on their fide to feduce the minds of weak and lukewarm chriftians: and when they have brought them into a difregard of revealed religion, a difbelief will presently follow,

Let

Let every man therefore, that believes the Holy Scriptures, use his utmost care and diligence, to defend them against the open affaults and fecret malice of the adversary ; let an uniform integrity and pious conversation testify the fincerity of his faith: and in pursuance of the example of holy DAVID, let him take heed to his ways, that he offend not in his tongue.

ADVERTISEMENT for a WIFE.

I

SIR,

To the STUDENT.

Don't know whether it be confiftent with the plan of your Mifcellany to admit Advertisements for the promotion of Business: however if it be you will infert the inclofed.

Methinks I would have it in the Student, as that is gene rally read by People of taste and judgment, and not a little admired by the Ladies; with whom my business is at present.— Lady GRAVELY reads it with a smile; ay, and nods her head too, which is a distinguishing mark of her approbation and efteem: for her ladyfhip has the prudence, you must know, to talk but little; yet, what drops from her is true fterling and of great weight.

'Tis

But to our main point,Mr. Student; you must know I want a WIFE.- -Hah -why now you laugh!amazing to me, that people can't be ferious! Why-I tell you again I want a WIFE!And pray what inconfiftency is there in that?

Marriage is a ferious affair, and people should set seriously about it. This has been my manner of making love; yet it has so happen'd, that when I have put the question to the

lady,

lady, (which has been always with a tone of voice fuitable to the folemnity of the subject) I have been anfwer'd with a loud horfe-laugh, which fo raifes my indignation, that I can never make a second attack on the fame person.

over and above ugly.

I am at a loss to account for this. I don't want sense, as you may fee by this letter: nor do I want money; nor am My temper too is tollerable, and yet I have hitherto been treated ill by the ladies; wherefore this is the Advertisement which I think proper to have inserted.

BEAUTY, MERIT, and FORTUNE,
May be feen and treated with
On Thursday the 5th of APRIL

ΑΤ OUR

PUBLISHER's in St. PAUL's Church Yard.

N. B. He will fit in the middle of the fhop with his face toward the door, in order to be looked at; but LADIES who come for a view, are defired not to LAUGH; and those who have no inclination to marry, are defired not to look in

ALL THE DAY.

A PANE