 own absurd
Errors, and damnable Deceptions; »But Honour,« says he, »is not therefore
manifold, because there are many absurd Opinions about it; nor is Religion
manifold, because there are various Sects and Heresies in the World. When I
mention Religion, I mean the Christian Religion; and not only the Christian
Religion, but the Protestant Religion; and not only the Protestant Religion, but
the Church of England. And, when I mention Honour, I mean that Mode of divine
Grace which is not only consistent with, but dependent upon, this Religion; and
is consistent with, and dependent upon, no other. Now to say that the Honour I
here mean, and which was, I thought, all the Honour I could be supposed to mean,
will uphold, much less dictate, an Untruth, is to assert an Absurdity too
shocking to be conceived.«
    »I purposely avoided,« says Square, »drawing a Conclusion which I thought
evident from what I have said; but if you perceived it, I am sure you have not
attempted to answer it. However, to drop the Article of Religion, I think it is
plain, from what you have said, that we have different Ideas of Honour; or why
do we not agree in the same Terms of its Explanation? I have asserted, that true
Honour and true Virtue are almost synonimous Terms, and they are both founded on
the unalterable Rule of Right, and the eternal Fitness of Things; to which an
Untruth being absolutely repugnant and contrary, it is certain that true Honour
cannot support an Untruth. In this, therefore, I think we are agreed; but that
this Honour can be said to be founded on Religion, to which it is antecedent, if
by Religion be meant any positive Law -«
    »I agree,« answered Thwackum, with great Warmth, »with a Man who asserts
Honour to be antecedent to Religion! - Mr. Allworthy, did I agree -?«
    He was proceeding, when Mr. Allworthy interposed, telling them very coldly,
they had both mistaken his Meaning; for that he had said nothing of true Honour.
- It is possible, however, he would not have easily quieted the Disputants, who
were growing equally warm, had not another Matter now fallen out, which put a
final End to the Conversation at present.
 

                                   Chapter IV

 Containing a necessary Apology for the Author; and a childish Incident, which
                     perhaps requires an Apology likewise.
 
Before I proceed farther, I shall beg leave to obviate some Misconstructions,
into which the Zeal of
