The fight of some Fishes playing to and fro upon the top of the VVater, diverted us from prosecuting our Conference, and drew us to apply our selves attentively to the catching of them, in which accordingly we spent some part of the Morning; yet whilst we continu’d Angling, not far from one another, we often cast our Eyes (as is usual in such cases) upon each others fishing Corks, to learn as well the successes of our Friends, as in what places the Fish were forwardest to bite: As I chanc’d to look towards that Cork at which Eusebius’s Hook was hanging, I perceiv’d that it was divers times drawn under VVater, without his endeavouring thereupon to strike that Fish that made thus bold with his Bait; wherefore laying down my Angle a while, I went softly towards Eusebius, to see what it was that made him so regardless of his Sport, whilst yet, by the posture be continu’d in, he seem’d to be intent upon it: But approaching near enough, I quickly perceiv’d, That instead of minding his Hook, his Eyes were fixt sometimes upon his own Picture, reflected from the smooth Surface of the gliding stream, and sometimes upon the Shadow projected by his Body, a little beside the Picture upon the same River.
The unwilling noise I made in coming so near, having oblig’d Eusebius to take notice of me, I thought fit, since I found I was discover’d, to ask him smilingly, whether he were Narcissus-like, making Love to his own Shadow.
Eusebius ghessing by these words, that I had conjectur’d what he was doing, answer’d me with a look somewhat more serious than that I had spoken to him with; I was indeed, Philaretus, attentively enough considering, sometimes my Picture, which the VVater presents me with, and sometimes the Shadow, which the Sun and I together cast upon the Water; But (says he, with a half Smile) I look’d upon both these, not with the Eyes of a Narcissuss, (for that would make me much Madder than he was) but with those of a Christian: For I was considering, that one of the Differences betwixt the Law, and the Gospel, might not be ill represented by the Difference betwixt a common Looking-glass, and that afforded me by this Crystal stream: For though both being specular Bodies, I can see my Face in either; yet if my Face be spotted with Dirt, or grown Pale by reason of the Faintness usual in such hot VVeather, a common Looking-glass will indeed discover those things to me, but will not otherwise assist me to remedy them; whereas, when I consult this Stream, if it shew me any spots in my Face, it supplies me with water to wash them off, and by its cooling, and refreshing VVaters, can relieve me from that Faintness that reduces me to look Pale.
Thus the Law, which is commonly, and which seems ev’n by an Apostle to be compared to a Looking-glass, shews us indeed the pollutions of our Souls, and discovers to us the effects of our spiritual I anguidness, and Faintness; but the Gospel does not only do so, but tells the Embracers of it, by Saint John’s mouth, If any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ, the Righteous, who is the Propitiation for our sins, and whose Blood cleanses us from all sin. And the Author of the same Gospel invites all those, that find themselves tired and thirsty, to come unto him, and to be refreshed.
By this time, Lindamor, who was Angling not very far off, perceiving us stand together, as if we were engaged in some Discourse, laid by his Rod a while, and came to listen to what he expected he might learn from Eusebius; who pausing here, I put him in mind, that he had also mentioned to me the sight of his Shadow upon the face of the River, as another object of his Contemplations, and that therefore my curiosity (wherein I knew Lindamor, as soon as I should acquaint him with the occasion, would share) made me very desirous to know what thoughts had been suggested to him, by a Subject that seem’d so slight and barren.
Since you will needs know, (replies Eusebius) I will confess to you, that my Thoughts were Theologically enough employ’d, and therefore, least you should think, I affect to Preach out of the Pulpit, I will but succinctly mention some of these Various things, that this Shadow, as despicable as you think it, suggested to me: But since I was only entertaining and exciting my self, not discoursing with Naturalists, or disputing with Atheists, I presume you will not wonder, that I take the Doctrine of the Creation for granted, as it is acknowledged by Christians in general, and particularly by You.
I was then considering, that this Shadow, related to me, might in some particulars be no unfit one of the Universe in reference to God: And indeed, perhaps the VVorld may without much extravagance be tearmed the Shadow of him, of whose Attributes, or Perfections, it exhibites to an attentive considerer divers excellent Impresses, and the resemblance may thus far be advanc’d, that as though it represents the Shape and Out-lines of my Body, which projects it, yet it represents but them, and consequently this Shadow in reference to it is but a superficial and worthless thing; so the VVorld, though it be not destitute of several Impresses, and as it were Lineaments or Features of the Divine Wisdome and Power, yet for all this, its representations of the Divine Author of it, are but very Imperfect, Superficial, and Dark, and the Excellency of the Adorable Author of things, keeps him infinitely above all the works that he has made.