A CONFESSION OF FAITH

My creed may be different from other creeds, but the difference is

nothing when the end is the same. If I did not expect and hope for

eternal happiness I should be ever miserable; and as every religion

is a rule leading to good by its professor, the religions of all

nations and creeds, where that end is the aim, ought rather to be

respected than scoffed at. A final judgment of men by their deeds and

actions in life is inevitable, and the only difference between an

earthly assize and the eternal one is, that the final one needs no

counsellors to paint the bad or good better or worse than they are.

The Judge knows the hearts of all men, and the sentence may be

expected to be just as well as final, whether it be for the worst or

the best. This ought to teach us to pause and think, and try to lead

our lives as well as we can.

Life and Remains of John Clare, The "Northamptonshire Peasant Poet" · 第 229 / 247 题