r to it, and try
the truth of this rule upon plain facts,--you see it liable to so much
error from a false application;--the principle upon which it goes so
often perverted;--the whole force of it lost, and sometimes so vilely
cast away, that it is painful to produce the common examples from human
life, which confirm the account.

'A man shall be vicious and utterly debauched in his
principles;--exceptionable in his conduct to the world; shall live
shameless, in the open commission of a sin which no reason or pretence
can justify,--a sin by which, contrary to all the workings of humanity,
he shall ruin for ever the deluded partner of his guilt;--rob her of her
best dowry; and not only cover her own head with dishonour;--but involve
a whole virtuous family in shame and sorrow for her sake. Surely, you
will think conscience must lead such a man a troublesome life; he can
have no rest night and day from its reproaches.

'Alas! Conscience had something else to do all this time, than break
in upon him; as Elijah reproached the god Baal,--this domestic god was
either talking, or pursuing, or was in a journey, or peradventure he
slept and could not be awoke.

'Perhaps He was gone out in company with Honour to fight a duel: to
pay off some debt at play;--or dirty annuity, the bargain of his lust;
Perhaps Conscience all this time was engaged at home, talking aloud
against petty larceny, and executing vengeance upon some such puny
crimes as his fortune and rank of life secured him against all
temptation of committing; so that he lives as merrily;'--(If he was of
our church, tho', quoth Dr. Slop, he could not)--'sleeps as soundly in
his bed;--and at last meets death unconcernedly;--perhaps much more so,
than a much better man.'

(All this is impossible with us, quoth Dr. Slop, turning to my
father,--the case could not happen in our church.--It happens in ours,
however, replied my father, but too often.--I own, quoth Dr. Slop,
(struck a little with my father's frank acknowledgment)--that a man
in the Romish church may live as badly;--but then he cannot easily
die so.--'Tis little matter, replied my father, with an air of
indifference,--how a rascal dies.--I mean, answered Dr. Slop, he would
be denied the benefits of the last sacraments.--Pray how many have you
in all, said my uncle Toby,--for I always forget?--Seven, answered
Dr. Slop.--Humph!--said my uncle Toby; tho' not accented as a note of
acquiescence,--but as an interje