ion which he on all occasions expressed, that he was really a
Protestant in his heart, and that upon the death of his mother, he would
not scruple to declare his sentiments, notwithstanding the reproaches he
might incur from the Popish party, and the public observation it would
draw upon him. The bishop of Rochester strongly advised him to read the
controverted points between the Protestant and the Catholic church, to
suffer his unprejudiced reason to determine for him, and he made no
doubt, but a separation from the Romish communion would soon ensue. To
this Mr. Pope very candidly answered, 'Whether the change would be to my
spiritual advantage, God only knows: This I know, that I mean as well in
the religion I now profess, as ever I can do in any other. Can a man who
thinks so, justify a change, even if he thought both equally good? To
such an one, the part of joining with any one body of Christians might
perhaps be easy, but I think it would not be so to renounce the other.

'Your lordship has formerly advised me to read the best controversies
between the churches. Shall I tell you a secret? I did so at 14 years
old (for I loved reading, and my father had no other books) there was a
collection of all that had been written on both sides, in the reign of
King James II. I warmed my head with them, and the consequence was, I
found myself a Papist, or a Protestant by turns, according to the last
book I read. I am afraid most seekers are in the same case, and when
they stop, they are not so properly converted, as outwitted. You see how
little glory you would gain by my conversion: and after all, I verily
believe, your lordship and I are both of the same religion, if we were
thoroughly understood by one another, and that all honest and reasonable
Christians would be so, if they did but talk enough together every day,
and had nothing to do together but to serve God, and live in peace with
their neighbours.

"As to the temporal side of the question, I can have no dispute with
you; it is certain, all the beneficial circumstances of life, and all
the shining ones, lie on the part you would invite me to. But if I could
bring myself to fancy, what I think you do but fancy, that I have any
talents for active life, I want health for it; and besides it is a real
truth. I have, if possible, less inclination, than ability.
Contemplative life is not only my scene, but is my habit too. I begun my
life where most people end theirs, with