L' ET no reader take.offence, though the subjects debated in the following pages be of a serious nature, if the ideas and images employed should sometimes border upon the ludicrous. The contest between Elijah and the votaries of Baal was a very ferious one, and heaven itself interpofed in it's decifion. Yet, strong and pointed is the irony of the Prophet-" Cry aloud, "for he is a God; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or "he is in a journey, or perad "venture he fleepeth, and must "be awaked!"* Impiety provokes a frown; abfurdity occafions a fmile; and many who glory in the imputation of the former, cannot but feel when they are convicted of the latter. Some opinions and arguments become rifible, on being stated. A portrait is fufficient; a caricature needlefs; perhaps, impoffible. Where fuch is not the cafe, nothing, it is hoped, has met with this treatment, unless proved to deferve it. Ridicule is not the teft of truth, becaufe truth must always be the test of ridicule; and 1 Kings XVIII. 27. he he who laughs in the wrong place, expofes no character, except his own. But, as the learned and ingenious Dr. Ogilvie has well obferved, "He who can fairly turn the laugh when it "has been raised against him, "will be pardoned re: dily, pro“vided he has laugh d in good “humour.”* *Inquiry into the caufes of the infidelity and fcepticism of the times. P. 445. CON |