without morality; nevertheless, 'tis no prodigy to see a
man whose real moral character stands very low, who yet entertains the
highest notion of himself in the light of a religious man.

'He shall not only be covetous, revengeful, implacable,--but even
wanting in points of common honesty; yet inasmuch as he talks aloud
against the infidelity of the age,--is zealous for some points of
religion,--goes twice a day to church,--attends the sacraments,--and
amuses himself with a few instrumental parts of religion,--shall cheat
his conscience into a judgment, that, for this, he is a religious man,
and has discharged truly his duty to God: And you will find that such a
man, through force of this delusion, generally looks down with spiritual
pride upon every other man who has less affectation of piety,--though,
perhaps, ten times more real honesty than himself.

'This likewise is a sore evil under the sun; and I believe, there is no
one mistaken principle, which, for its time, has wrought more serious
mischiefs.--For a general proof of this,--examine the history of the
Romish church;'--(Well what can you make of that? cried Dr. Slop)--'see
what scenes of cruelty, murder, rapine, bloodshed,'--(They may thank
their own obstinacy, cried Dr. Slop)--have all been sanctified by a
religion not strictly governed by morality.

'In how many kingdoms of the world'--(Here Trim kept waving his
right-hand from the sermon to the extent of his arm, returning it
backwards and forwards to the conclusion of the paragraph.)

'In how many kingdoms of the world has the crusading sword of this
misguided saint-errant, spared neither age or merit, or sex, or
condition?--and, as he fought under the banners of a religion which
set him loose from justice and humanity, he shewed none; mercilessly
trampled upon both,--heard neither the cries of the unfortunate, nor
pitied their distresses.'

(I have been in many a battle, an' please your Honour, quoth Trim,
sighing, but never in so melancholy a one as this,--I would not have
drawn a tricker in it against these poor souls,--to have been made a
general officer.--Why? what do you understand of the affair? said Dr.
Slop, looking towards Trim, with something more of contempt than the
Corporal's honest heart deserved.--What do you know, friend, about this
battle you talk of?--I know, replied Trim, that I never refused quarter
in my life to any man who cried out for it;--but to a woman or a child,
continued