. This Bible Master Blifil had purchased, though he had already such
another of his own, partly out of Respect for the Book, and partly out of
Friendship to Tom, being unwilling that the Bible should be sold out of the
Family at half Price. He therefore disbursed the said half Price himself; for he
was a very prudent Lad, and so careful of his Money, that he had laid up almost
every Penny which he had received from Mr. Allworthy.
    Some People have been noted to be able to read in no Book but their own. On
the contrary, from the Time when Master Blifil was first possessed of this
Bible, he never used any other. Nay, he was seen reading in it much oftner than
he had before been in his own. Now, as he frequently asked Thwackum to explain
difficult Passages to him, that Gentleman unfortunately took Notice of Tom's
Name, which was written in many Parts of the Book. This brought on an Enquiry,
which obliged Master Blifil to discover the whole Matter.
    Thwackum was resolved, a Crime of this Kind, which he called Sacrilege,
should not go unpunished. He therefore proceeded immediately to Castigation; and
not contented with that, he acquainted Mr. Allworthy, at their next Meeting,
with this monstrous Crime, as it appeared to him; inveighing against Tom in the
most bitter Terms, and likening him to the Buyers and Sellers who were driven
out of the Temple.
    Square saw this Matter in a very different Light. He said, He could not
perceive any higher Crime in selling one Book, than in selling another. That to
sell Bibles was strictly lawful by all Laws both divine and human, and
consequently there was no Unfitness in it. He told Thwackum that his great
Concern on this Occasion brought to his Mind the Story of a very devout Woman,
who out of pure Regard to Religion, stole Tillotson's Sermons from a Lady of her
Acquaintance.
    This Story caused a vast Quantity of Blood to rush into the Parson's Face,
which of itself was none of the palest; and he was going to reply with great
Warmth and Anger, had not Mrs. Blifil, who was present at this Debate,
interposed. That Lady declared herself absolutely of Mr. Square's Side. She
argued, indeed, very learnedly in Support of his Opinion; and concluded with
saying, If Tom had been guilty of any Fault, she must confess her own Son
appeared to be equally culpable; for that she could see no Difference between
the Buyer and the Seller; both of whom were
