The success which it infallibly must have will certainly engage you to produce some other works still more useful, and of greater size. I expect some time or other to present you in exchange, as soon as I can find time, si otiari licuerit, a production of my pen, which endeavours to discover the true sense of St. Augustine, in those three books where he treats of Correction, Grace, the Predestination of Saints, and the Gift of Perseverance. I attempt to discover the meaning of the Holy Teacher on Matters of Grace.

If the success answers our wishes, si votis cuncta responderint, I fatter myself with the hope that my remarks upon so important a subject may be useful. This is a secret with which I entrust you, and wish you to preserve inviolable.

Assist me, I pray you, with your knowledge and opinions, that I may treat a subject of such consequence with truth and advantage: and allow me, while I kiss your hands, most humbly to repeat the sentiments of attachment, esteem and respect with which I am, &c.

ROME, 1st June, 1742.

LETTER

LETTER CLVII.

TO THE SAME.

REVEREND FATHER,

I AM obliged to own my want of merit, both to cure you of the too favourable opinion you entertain of me, and to excuse myself from undertaking the task you prescribe to me.-I am not afraid of the trouble, but I ought to be endowed with the capacity necessary to compose a work which could bear to be examined by the rules of reason and sound criticism.

If I lent my pen to the desire of Cardinal Cibo, it was upon a subject easy to be treated, where oratory and taste were not required. I always read the best books, and study, without relaxation, the Chronological History of the Church as one of the best supports of Religion.

I could wish it were in my power not to embroil myself with Aristotle, and especially with Scotus,

because

because of our old acquaintance and brotherhood; but I am obliged to leave them every moment, in order to take a surer and straighter course. The present age has no relish for those pointed subtilties: we now require substance and truths, not distinctions and words. And why have recourse to artificial phraseology, in order to say plain things, and not express myself as clearly while I philosophize, as when I assure you of the high esteem with which I am sincerely, &c. ROME, 2nd July, 1742.

LETTER CLVIII.

TO THE ABBÉ ***.

SINCE you ask my opinion, my dear Abbé, of the discourse which you sent me, I must tell you, that I think there is too much of the Rhetorician, and a want of that sort of eloquence which should be employed in speaking of the rulers of the earth. We should endeavour to raise our thoughts as high

as

as they are by their dignities, and to produce such noble strokes of eloquence from the bosom of Religion herself, as may make them appear the images of the living God.

You have the finest of all subjects. The respect and obedience which is due to Kings, derive their source from the Almighty, who desires that we should honour those who are clothed with his atthority. Besides, what will the heart not express when it is employed in praising our fathers, our masters, and our protectors! The existence of the people is but very imperfect, when it is not closely united with that of the Princes by whom they are governed. It then becomes compleat, and gives us a picture of the harmony of Heaven, which scatters joy and gladness all around.

I am satisfied with that part which displays. the horrors of Anarchy, and shews that there is no exigency, no circumstance, no time nor occasion when it can be lawful to rebel against authority."

That obedience which is due to Kings and their Vicegerents, is essentially connected with that which we owe to God, and the more we are Christians, the more we respect Royalty.

Tertullian,

Tertullian, in his Apology for Christianity, paints the Faithful in his time, as subjects who were the most attached to their Princes, the most attentive in praying for them, and the most exact in paying their taxes. Jesus Christ puts the submission which is due to Kings, on a level with what is due to the Deity. Give to God the things which are God's, and give unto Casar the things which are Casar's. -There is no excuse, no pretence, no reason for refusing. I own to you, I was melted when I read that part where you say, "That it was "never more pleasing to obey Kings than in these happy times, when they declared their purposes "without reserve, and are employed in seeking the happiness of their subjects."

Certainly you know better than any one how to handle such a subject, since you live immediately under the eye of a Monarch [Don Carlos, at that time King of Naples, and now King of Spain,] who, by his love of order, clemency and justice, makes all the Virtues reign with him. As you very well express it, Naples has less reason to rejoice in the beauties which the soil and climate have lavished upon her most abundantly, than in a reign which is equally just and mild. I would here finish.

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