Among innumerable Arguments [which [3]] might be brought against such an unreasonable Proceeding, I shall only insist on one.  We make it the Condition of our Forgiveness that we forgive others.  In our very Prayers we desire no more than to be treated by this kind of Retaliation.  The Case therefore before us seems to be what they call a Case in Point; the Relation between the Child and Father being what comes nearest to that between a Creature and its Creator.  If the Father is inexorable to the Child who has offended, let the Offence be of never so high a Nature, how will he address himself to the Supreme Being under the tender Appellation of a Father, and desire of him such a Forgiveness as he himself refuses to grant?

To this I might add many other religious, as well as many prudential Considerations; but if the last mentioned Motive does not prevail, I despair of succeeding by any other, and shall therefore conclude my Paper with a very remarkable Story, which is recorded in an old Chronicle published by Freher, among the Writers of the German History. [4]

Eginhart, who was Secretary to Charles the Great, became exceeding popular by his Behaviour in that Post.  His great Abilities gain’d him the Favour of his Master, and the Esteem of the whole Court.  Imma, the Daughter of the Emperor, was so pleased with his Person and Conversation, that she fell in Love with him.  As she was one of the greatest Beauties of the Age, Eginhart answer’d her with a more than equal Return of Passion.  They stifled their Flames for some Time, under Apprehension of the fatal Consequences that might ensue.  Eginhart at length resolving to hazard all, rather than be deprived of one whom his Heart was so much set upon, conveyed himself one Night into the Princess’s Apartment, and knocking gently at the Door, was admitted as a Person [who [5]] had something to communicate to her from the Emperor.  He was with her in private most Part of the Night; but upon his preparing to go away about Break of Day, he observed that there had fallen a great Snow during his Stay with the Princess.  This very much perplexed him, lest the Prints of his Feet in the Snow might make Discoveries to the King, who often used to visit his Daughter in the Morning.  He acquainted the Princess Imma with his Fears; who, after some Consultations upon the Matter, prevailed upon him to let her carry him through the Snow upon her own Shoulders.  It happened, that the Emperor not being able to sleep, was at that time up and walking in his Chamber, when upon looking through the Window he perceived his Daughter tottering under her Burden, and carrying his first Minister across the Snow; which she had no sooner done, but she returned again with the utmost Speed to her own Apartment.  The Emperor was extreamly troubled and astonished at this Accident; but resolved to speak nothing of it till a proper Opportunity.  In the mean time, Eginhart knowing that what he had done could not be long a Secret,