ture of vengeance; and waves his important meffage, till he had first corrected Balaam for his Cruelty. And as this hiftory was to be handed down to us in record, he would not let flip this opportunity of teaching mankind by divine interpofition the Duty of Mercy, and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals. And the more miraculous this hiftory is, it is the more striking, and deferving our notice and remembrance.

If it fhould be faid, it is impoffible an Afs could* SPEAK. I anfwer in few words;-It is blaf

* See an ingenious vindication of this piece of Scripture Hiftory, in the learned Bishop NEWTON'S Differtations on the Prophecies,

Vol. I.

5

phemy

phemy to determine the power of the great GOD of Nature. But whether the Afs really fpoke; or whether it was the voice of the Angel thrown fo, as to feem to Balaam to proceed from the mouth of the Afs; or whether it was a created voice; or an impreffion upon the ear of Balaam; ftill it was a divine Interpofition, not unbecoming an Angel, in favor of fuffering innocence. Or even, if we were to admit, that there was neither speech nor hearing on any part; but that it was only a vifion, or a fancy of the imagination; or, that the whole narration is but a parable; ftill, it has its use, and anfwers the purpose of the facred writer to reprefent to us the fin and injuftice of Cruelty. But I

defire it may be observed, that this Narration has the fanction of an important Truth stamped upon it by St. Peter in his fecond epistle, in which he tells us, that Balaam was rebuked for his iniquity, and that the dumb ASS, Speaking with man's voice, forbad the Madness of the Prophet. 2 Pet. ii. 16.

It seems then, that this ridiculed piece of facred history has the authority of both the Old and New Teftament for its fupport. And it deferves the more to be noticed by us, and I have dwelt the longer upon it, because this particular inftance of paffion and cruelty is, I believe, more common than any other; and that too in men otherwife compaffio

*

nate

nate enough. For, fay; Did You never whip, or fpur, or ill-treat your horse, when at any time he has farted or ftumbled? Was your passion never excited thereby ? and did you not almost wish there had been a fword in your hand to kill him? Pardon me, reader, for putting the queftion home to you. I hope you can answer in the negative; but it is an inftance common every day. If You are innocent as to this point, Well for Thee; and I turn myself to another that will plead Guilty. And to the former queftion, I ask him further; Did you, when your pafflion was over, lay your hand upon your breast, and say in the words of Balaam, I HAVE SINNED? I fear not. Then give me leave

to

to tell you; You have fo many SINS ftill unrepented of: You have erred with Balaam, but not repented with him; and the fword of the Angel is ftill drawn against thee. But repent in time, that he' may sheath it. And whenever it fo happens for the future, that your horfe either ftumbles, or ftarts, I intreat thee to call this to mind. Know, that your beaft is not to blame. He no more loves to be affrighted, than You do. It is no more agreeable to Him to make a false step, than it is to Yourfelf. He feels the pain of the jarr, as well as You. Therefore SMITE HIM NOT. But Remember this history, and add not fin unto fin. The Angel of the Lord is with you, though you see

him