this last Instance of my Shame, since I am like to reap
the most solid Advantage from it.« The Doctor stared at this, and Booth thus
proceeded: »Since I have been in this wretched Place, I have employ'd my Time
almost entirely in reading over a Series of Sermons, which are contained in that
Book,« (meaning Dr. Barrow's Works, which then lay on the Table before him,) »in
Proof of the Christian Religion, and so good an Effect have they had upon me,
that I shall, I believe, be the better Man for them as long as I live. I have
not a Doubt, (for I own I have had such) which remains now unsatisfied. - If
ever an Angel might be thought to guide the Pen of a Writer, surely the Pen of
that great and good Man had such an Assistant.« The Doctor readily concurred in
the Praises of Dr. Barrow, and added - »You say you have had your Doubts, young
Gentleman, indeed I did not know that - And pray, what were your Doubts?«
»Whatever they were, Sir,« said Booth, »they are now satisfied, as I believe
those of every impartial and sensible Reader will be, if he will, with due
Attention, read over these excellent Sermons.« »Very well,« answer'd the Doctor,
»tho' I have conversed, I find, with a false Brother hitherto, I am glad you are
reconciled to Truth at last, and I hope your future Faith will have some
Influence on your future Life.« »I need not tell you, Sir,« replied Booth, »that
will always be the Case, where Faith is sincere, as I assure you mine is. Indeed
I never was a rash Disbeliever; my chief Doubt was founded on this, that as Men
appeared to me to act entirely from their Passions, their Actions could have
neither Merit nor Demerit.« »A very worthy Conclusion truly,« cries the Doctor;
»but if Men act, as I believe they do, from their Passions, it would be fair to
conclude that Religion to be true which applies immediately to the strongest of
these Passions, Hope and Fear, chusing rather to rely on its Rewards and
Punishments, than on that native Beauty of Virtue which some of the antient
Philosophers thought proper to recommend to their Disciples. - But we will defer
this Discourse till another Opportunity; at present, as the Devil hath thought
proper to set you free, I will