For  how  if  a  throne  be  topless  can  one  be  seated  on  it  ?  If  a  decree  be
passed,  there  was  a  time  when  it  was  done ;  if  so,  how  could  it  have  been
eternal  ?  If  the  pit  be  bottomless,  where  is  the  bottom  ?  If  the  covenant
was  made,  there  was  a  time  when  they  made  it,  consequently  a  time  be-
fore they  made  it ;  if  so,  how  could  it  have  been  eternal,  unless  eternity
is  to  be  dated  from  the  period  of  making  that  contract  ?  as  '  from  '  implies
a  starting  place,  or  place  of  beginning.  An  infinite  number  to  be  en-
larged by  units  !  Space,  which  always  implies  limitation,  as  the  space  of
a  mile,  the  space  of  an  hour  or  a  day,  &c,  and  yet  is  boundless !  as
some  say.  And  man  a  creature  infinite  when  he  is  limited  !  He  had
a  beginning,  which  may  be  considered  as  the  first  and  beginning  end.
From  thence  the  time  down  to  the  other  end,  where  he  is  now,  may  be  cal-
culated and  measured  to  a  mathematical  demonstration.  His  futurity  is
a  nonentity  to  him,  and  at  best  can  only  be  a  subject  of  faith.
Hence  those  masters  gave  but  little  satisfaction  to  Inquirer,  on  the  all-
important  subject  which  still  specially  occupied  his  attention  in  his  re-
searches after  truth.
OF  HIEROGLYPHIC  BABYLON.
As  men  journeyed  from  the  east,  in  the  days  of  Nimrod,  the  mighty
hunter  of  men,  they  came  to  a  plain  in  the  land  of  Shinar,  on  the  river
Euphrates,  where  they  built  the  memorable  Babylon,  which  was  begun  in
that  of  Babel.  In  this  great  city  stood  the  celebrated  temple  of  Bel  us,
denoting  the  religion  of  the  land.
