[Cœpisti] melius quam [desinis]: ultima primis
Cedunt. Dissimiles: hic vir et ille puer.
Ovid. Deïanira Herculi [Heroid. VIII. vv. 23-4].
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that, in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
[I] Epistle to Timothy, [ch. IV. v. 1].
Abel, a poor Man, Teacher of a School of the lower Order; is placed in the Office of a Merchant; is alarmed by Discourses of the Clerks; unable to reply; becomes a Convert; dresses, drinks, and ridicules his former Conduct—The Remonstrance of his Sister, a devout Maiden—Its Effect—The Merchant dies—Abel returns to Poverty unpitied; but relieved—His abject Condition—His Melancholy—He wanders about: is found—His own Account of himself, and the Revolutions in his Mind.
LETTER XXI.
ABEL KEENE.
A quiet simple man was Abel Keene;
He meant no harm, nor did he often mean.