Poems by William Cowper ...

At a time when hypothesis and conjecture in philosophy are so justly exploded, and little is considered as deserving the name of knowledge, which will not stand the test of experiment, the very use of the term experimental in religious concernments is by too many unhappily rejected with disgust. But we well know that they, who affect to despise the inward feelings which religious persons speak of, and to treat them as enthusiasm and folly, have inward feelings of their own, which, though they would, they cannot suppress. We have been too long in the secret ourselves, to account the proud, the ambitious, or the voluptuous, happy. We must lose the remembrance of what we once were, before we can believe that a man is satisfied with

himself merely because he endeavours to

appear so.

A smile upon the face is often but a mask worn occasionally and in company, to prevent, if possible, a suspicion of what at the same time is passing in the heart. We know that there are people who seldom smile when they are alone, who therefore are glad to hide themselves in a throng from the violence of their own reflections; and who, while by their looks and their language they wish to persuade us they are happy, would be glad to change their conditions with a dog. But, in defiance of all their efforts, they continue to think, forebode, and tremble. This we know, for it

has been our own state, and therefore we know how to commiserate it in others.-

From this state the Bible relieved us. When

we were led to read it with attention, we

found ourselves described. We learnt the

causes of our inquietude-we were directed to a method of relief-we tried, and we were not disappointed.

Deus nobis hæc otia fecit. We are now certain that the Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. It has reconciled us to God, and to ourselves, to our duty, and our situation. It is the balm and cordial of the present life, and a sovereign antidote against the fear of death.

Sed hactenus hæc. Some smaller pieces upon less important subjects close the volume. Not one of them, I believe, was written with a view to publication. But I was unwilling they should be omitted.

John NEWTON.

CHARLES SQUARE, HOXTON,

February 18, 1782.

CONTENTS.