econdly, When a man, thus represented, tells you in any particular
instance,--That such a thing goes against his conscience,--always
believe he means exactly the same thing, as when he tells you such
a thing goes against his stomach;--a present want of appetite being
generally the true cause of both.

'In a word,--trust that man in nothing, who has not a Conscience in
every thing.

'And, in your own case, remember this plain distinction, a mistake in
which has ruined thousands,--that your conscience is not a law;--No,
God and reason made the law, and have placed conscience within you to
determine;--not, like an Asiatic Cadi, according to the ebbs and flows
of his own passions,--but like a British judge in this land of liberty
and good sense, who makes no new law, but faithfully declares that law
which he knows already written.'

Finis.

Thou hast read the sermon extremely well, Trim, quoth my father.--If he
had spared his comments, replied Dr. Slop,--he would have read it much
better. I should have read it ten times better, Sir, answered Trim, but
that my heart was so full.--That was the very reason, Trim, replied my
father, which has made thee read the sermon as well as thou hast done;
and if the clergy of our church, continued my father, addressing himself
to Dr. Slop, would take part in what they deliver as deeply as this poor
fellow has done,--as their compositions are fine;--(I deny it, quoth
Dr. Slop)--I maintain it,--that the eloquence of our pulpits, with such
subjects to enflame it, would be a model for the whole world:--But alas!
continued my father, and I own it, Sir, with sorrow, that, like French
politicians in this respect, what they gain in the cabinet they lose in
the field.--'Twere a pity, quoth my uncle, that this should be lost. I
like the sermon well, replied my father,--'tis dramatick,--and there is
something in that way of writing, when skilfully managed, which catches
the attention.--We preach much in that way with us, said Dr. Slop.--I
know that very well, said my father,--but in a tone and manner which
disgusted Dr. Slop, full as much as his assent, simply, could have
pleased him.--But in this, added Dr. Slop, a little piqued,--our sermons
have greatly the advantage, that we never introduce any character
into them below a patriarch or a patriarch's wife, or a martyr or a
saint.--There are some very bad characters in this, however, said my
father, and I do not think the sermon a jot the worse