. I believe in God, the Creator of the
Universe; that he governs it by his Providence; that he
ought to be worshiped; that the most acceptable service we
render to him, is doing good to his other children; that the
soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in
another life, respecting its conduct in this. These I take
to be fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard
them as you do, in whatever sect I meet with them.

"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you
particularly desire, I think his system of morals and his
religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever
saw, or is like to see. But I apprehend it has received
various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the
Dissenters in England, some doubts as to his Divinity;
though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having
never studied it. And I think it needless to busy myself
with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing
the truth with less trouble.

"I see however no harm in its being believed, if that belief
has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his
doctrines more respected and observed; especially as I do
not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by
distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of this
world, with any peculiar marks of his displeasure. I shall
only add respecting myself, that, having experienced the
goodness of that Being, in conducting me prosperously
through a long life, I have no doubt of its continuance in
the next, though without the smallest conceit of meriting
such goodness."

He then adds the following suggestive postscript. "I confide that you
will not expose me to criticism and censures, by publishing any part
of this communication to you. I have ever let others enjoy their
religious sentiments, without reflecting on them, for those that
appeared to me unsupportable, or even absurd. All sects here, and we
have a great variety, have experienced my good will, in assisting them
with subscriptions for the building their new places of worship. And,
as I have never opposed any of their doctrines, I hope to go out of
the world in peace with them all."

Much of his time, in these hours of sickness, he employed in writing
his Autobiography. The sufferings he endured were at times very
severe. But when he spoke of h