iquor!

I cannot but consider with what understanding the people sighed and
cried, when the Minister made for them this metaphysical confession:

"Omnipotent All! Thou art only! Because Thou art all, and because
Thou only art! As for us, we are not; but we seem to be! and only
seem to be, because we are not! for we be but Mites of Entity,
and Crumbs of Something!" and so on.

As if a company of country people were bound to understand SUAREZ, and
all the School Divines!

And as some are very high and learned in their attempts; so others there
be, who are of somewhat too mean and dirty imagination.

Such was he, who goes by the name of Parson SLIPSTOCKING. Who preaching
about the grace and assistance of GOD, and that of ourselves we are able
to do nothing, advised his "beloved" to take him this plain similitude.

"A father calls his child to him, saying, 'Child, pull off this
stocking!' The child, mightily joyful that it should pull off
father's stocking, takes hold of the stocking, and tugs! and
pulls! and sweats! but to no purpose: for stocking stirs not, for
it is but a child that pulls! Then the father bids the child to
rest a little, and try again. So then the child sets on again,
tugs again; but no stocking comes: for child is but a child! Then
the father taking pity upon his child, puts his hand behind and
slips down the stocking; and off comes the stocking! Then how
does the child rejoice! for child hath pulled off father's
stocking, Alas, poor child! it was not child's strength, it was
not child's sweating that got off the stocking; but yet it was
the father's hand that slipped down the stocking. Even so--"

Not much unlike to this, was he that, preaching about the Sacrament and
Faith, makes CHRIST a shopkeeper; telling you that "CHRIST is a Treasury
of all wares and commodities," and thereupon, opening his wide throat,
cries aloud,

"Good people! what do you lack? What do you buy? Will you buy any
balm of Gilead? any eye salve? any myrrh, aloes, or cassia? Shall
I fit you with a robe of Righteousness, or with a white garment?
See here! What is it you want? Here is a choice armoury! Shall I
shew you a helmet of Salvation, a shield, or breastplate of
Faith? or will you please to walk in and see some precious
stones? a jasper, a sapphire, a chalcedony? Speak, what do you
buy?"

Now, for my part, I must nee