the kingdom of Christ in the world,
and so forth: _Very well, Master_, said Friday, _you say God is so
strong, so great, is he not much strong, much mightier than the naughty
devil?_ "To be sure, Friday," said I, "God is more wise and stronger
than the serpent: he is above the devil, which makes us pray to him,
that he would tread down Satan under his feet, enable us to resist the
violent temptations; and quench his fiery darts." _Why then_, answered
Friday quickly, _if God, as you say, has much strong, much might as the
devil, why God no kill devil, make no more tempt, no more do wicked._

You may be certain, I was strangely surprised at this question of my
man's: and, though an old man, I was but a young doctor, and
consequently very ill qualified for a causuist, or a resolver of
intricate doubts in religion, and as it required some time for me to
study for an answer, I pretended not to hear him, nor to ask him what he
said; but, to so earnest was he for an answer, as not to forget his
question which he repeated in the very same broken words as above. When
I had recovered myself a little, "Friday," said I, "God will at last
punish him severely, being reserved for judgment, and is to be cast into
the bottomless pit, to remain in fire everlasting." But all this did not
satisfy Friday, for, returning upon me, he repeated my words "RESERVE AT
LAST, _me no understand; but, why not kill devil now, not kill devil,
great, great while ago_?" "Friday" said I "you may as well ask me why
God does not kill you and me, when, by our wicked actions, we so much
offend his divine Majesty? He gives us time to repent of our sins, that
thereby we may obtain pardon." At these words _obtain pardon_, Friday
mused a great while; and, at last, looking me stedfastly in the face,
_Well, well_, said he, _that's very well; so you, I, devil, all wicked
mans, all preserve, repent, God pardon all._

Indeed, here I was ran down to the last extremity, when it became very
evident to me; how mere natural notions will guide reasonable creatures
to the knowledge of a Deity, and to the homage due to the Supreme Being
of God; but, however, nothing but divine revelation can form the
knowledge of Jesus Christ, and of a redemption purchased for us, of the
mediator of the new covenant, and of an intercessor at the footstool of
God's throne; and, therefore, the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ; that is, the word and Spirit of God, promised for the guid