But instead of that, I shall rather choose to make this one practical Observation. That the mercy of GOD to mankind in sending His Son into the world, was a very _signal_ mercy. It was a _zodiacal_ mercy! I say it was truly zodiacal; for CHRIST keeps within the Tropics! He goes not out of the Pale of the Church; but yet he is not always at the same distance from a believer. Sometimes he withdraws himself into the _apogaeum_ of doubt, sorrow, and despair; but then he comes again into the _perigaeum_ of joy, content, and assurance; but as for heathens and unbelievers, they are all arctic and antarctic reprobates! Now when such stuff as this, as sometimes it is, is vented in a poor parish, where people can scarce tell, what day of the month it is by the Almanack? how seasonable and savoury it is likely to be! It seems also not very easy for a man in his sermon to learn [_teach_] his parishioners how to dissolve gold, of what, and how the stuff is made. Now, to ring the bells and call the people on purpose together, would be but a blunt business; but to do it neatly, and when nobody looked for it, that is the rarity and art of it! Suppose, then, that he takes for his text that of _St. Matthew_, "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of GOD is at hand." Now, tell me, Sir, do you not perceive the gold to be in a dismal fear! to curl and quiver at the first reading of these words! It must come in thus, "The blots and blurs of our sins must be taken out by the _aqua-fortis_ of our tears; to which _aqua-fortis_, if you put a fifth part of _sal-ammoniac_, and set them in a gentle heat, it makes _aqua-regia_ which dissolves gold." And now it is out! Wonderful are the things that are to be done by the help of metaphors and similitudes! And I will undertake that, with a little more pains and considerations, out of the very same words, he could have taught the people how to make custards, or marmalade, or to stew prunes! But, pray, why "the _aqua-fortis_ of tears?" For if it so falls out that there should chance to be neither Apothecary, nor Druggist at church, there is an excellent jest wholly lost! Now had he been so considerate as to have laid his wit in some more common and intelligible material; for example, had he said the "blots of sin" will be easily taken out "by the soap of sorrow, and the fullers-earth of contrition," then possibly the Parson and the parish might all have admired one another. For there be many a good-wife that understands very well all the intrigues of pepper, salt, and vinegar, who knows not anything of the all-powerfulness of _aqua-fortis_, how that it is such a spot-removing liquor! I cannot but consider with what understanding the people sighed and cried, when the Minister made for them this metaphysical confession: