_His Landlady dyeth, and so is left again to live by his
wits; his Comerade is hanged, with some hints of his
desperate, irreligious, and atheistical tenents._
In the height of our jollity, word was brought me that my Landlady was
dangerously sick, and that she desired to speak with me instantly;
thinking it was onely a fit of lecherous and salacious itch, I made no
great haste, but at length I went: Assoon as I entred within her doors,
I received the sad tydings of her death. I ran up stairs (not believing
this report, because I would not have it so) but found it too true:
viewing her as she lay, I perceived her hand fast clincht: I took it
into mine, and wrenching it open, there dropt ten pieces of Gold, which
I conceive she intended to have bestowed on me whilest living, as her
last Legacy. I conveyed them privately into my Pocket, and presently
made enquiry how she had disposed of her Estate; but I received little
or no satisfaction herein, only to my great vexation, I heard she often
to the very last called much upon me.
I stayed not above two or three days in the house, but I was forced to
leave it.
I met with my obliged friend, to whom I communicated my late misfortune:
he like an experienc’d Stoick counsel’d me to bear my loss patiently,
since that is below a man to repine at any sublunary casualty, much more
to sink under the burden of any vexatious cross, or remediless loss. We
discoursed, what expedient we were best to take, and to encrease our
small stocks by some witty exploit. We propounded many things which we
approved not of. We thought of turning Highway-men; but I disswaded him
from that, by informing him that money was very scarce, and that men of
500_l._ _per annum_ usually travelled 30 or 40 miles with a single
_Cob_, or piece of eight, not so much for fear of robbing as for want of
Coyn; and that is the reason that all sorts of provision are very cheap,
because there is so great a scarcity of that should purchase them. Why
then said he, there is mony enough in the Exchequer. But said I, it is
so difficult to come at, that I will not hazard my life in the attempt.
Hearing me speak in this manner, he lookt upon me in derision: saying,
_That fear was a passion unworthy to be lodg’d in the Soul of man, and
that there is nothing here which a man either should or need to fear,
_Secundem Religionem Stoici_: And that man deserved not the fruition of
the least happiness here, that would not, rather then go without it,
venture his neck_.
We had so hot a contest about this, that we parted in anger, and never
saw him afterwards till I heard of his condemnation, which was
occasioned by the prosecution of what he propounded to me. Two or three
more besides himself combined to rob the Exchequer, but were apprehended
in the enterprize, committed, arraigned at the Bar, convicted and
condemned. Hearing hereof, I gave him a visit in Prison; expressing much
sorrow for what he was to suffer: but he onely laught at me for my
pains. I desir’d him to be more serious, since three dayes would put a
period to his life, and then he must give an account of what he had done
on earth; and that though we might sooth up our selves in all manner of
debauchery here, yet without cordial repentance we must suffer for it
hereafter. Prethee, said he, do not trouble thy head with such idle
fancies. That there is a God I cannot, nor will not deny, since there
are Regiments of Arguments levied both from the stately fabrick of the
arched Heaven, and from the inimitable embroidery of the flowry earth
which are sufficient to conquer that infidelity, and render men
tributaries to the all-forming Essence. But that this God should be so
unjust (who is al goodness) as to make the intent of my Creation
damnation, it shall never come within the verge of my belief: if there
be any punishment for criminal commissions, it must be annihilation, or
nothing. Quote not me the Scriptures for my conviction if I err, since
they are full of contradictions, and contain many things incredible.
Neither do I know (since we are forbidden murder) why _Abraham_ should
kill his Son _Isaac_ and the same person commit Adultery with his maid
_Hagar_, (which is largely describ’d) and yet we are commanded the
contrary; if we borrow or steal, we are enjoyn’d to make restitution;
notwithstanding, the _Israelites_ were permitted to borrow the
_Egyptians_ Earrings without giving satisfaction. In this manner I could
cavil _ad infinitum_; and yet this Book is the Basis of Christianity.
Let me tell me you plainly, Religion at first was only the quaint
_Leger-de-main_ of some strong pated Statesmen, who to overawe the
Capriciousness of a giddy multitude, did forge the opinion of a punisher
of all humane evil actions. What was _Mahomet_ but an Impostor, whose
palpable cheats grew up in his successors into a Religion, and whose
inventions were and are receiv’d with as much adoration by the wisest of
men, as is the Orthodox Veneration (as they term it) to a Deity, which
is the object of Christian worship. The Popes piety is onely pride and
ambition, and yet he pronounces Damnation against all such as are not of
his belief, &c. If you will know the diversity of Religions, (all
oppugning on the other) take a view thereof in Mr. _Ross_ his
_Pansebeia_. Now seeing the rational soul hath fail’d so oft and so
absurdly in its discoveries, how or why should we submit our selves
slavishly to its determinations. For that which doth at some times err,
can never at any time be concluded infallible. He would have proceeded,
but I desir’d him to desist.
Now his prophane and irreligious discourse did so bore my glowing ears,
that notwithstanding the wickedness of my own nature, I could not endure
to hear him blaspheme; wherefore instead of endeavouring to rectifie his
erroneous judgement, (for to speak the truth, my knowledg at that time
was but slender in the doctrine of Christianity) I durst not discourse
longer with him, but left him to his own Conscience for conviction,
which I judg’d would be powerful with him at the place of Execution.
The day being come, I resolved to see the final end of my friend. And
there did I enjoy the fruits of my hopes and wishes. For as soon as the
Halter was about his neck, he roared so loud with his voice, that it
could not but awake the most lethargick conscience that ever the Devil
lull’d asleep. There I might see and know by the urinal of his eyes, and
the water standing therein, what convulsion-fits his soul suffer’d, his
own mouth confessing how grievously his diseased soul was stretched upon
the rack of despair: then it was that the voluminous Registers of his
conscience, which did formerly lye clasp’d in some unsearcht corner of
his memory, were laid open before him; and the Devil, who hitherto gave
him the lessening end of the prospect to survey his licentious courses
and damned opinion, now turned the magnifying end to his eye, which made
him cry out at last for mercy, and so was turn’d off.