His Landlady dyeth, and so is left again to live by his wits; his Comerade is hanged, with some hints of his desperate, irreligious, and atheistical tenents.

In the height of our jollity, word was brought me that my Landlady was dangerously sick, and that she desired to speak with me instantly; thinking it was onely a fit of lecherous and salacious itch, I made no great haste, but at length I went: Assoon as I entred within her doors, I received the sad tydings of her death. I ran up stairs (not believing this report, because I would not have it so) but found it too true: viewing her as she lay, I perceived her hand fast clincht: I took it into mine, and wrenching it open, there dropt ten pieces of Gold, which I conceive she intended to have bestowed on me whilest living, as her last Legacy. I conveyed them privately into my Pocket, and presently made enquiry how she had disposed of her Estate; but I received little or no satisfaction herein, only to my great vexation, I heard she often to the very last called much upon me.

I stayed not above two or three days in the house, but I was forced to leave it.

I met with my obliged friend, to whom I communicated my late misfortune: he like an experienc’d Stoick counsel’d me to bear my loss patiently, since that is below a man to repine at any sublunary casualty, much more to sink under the burden of any vexatious cross, or remediless loss. We discoursed, what expedient we were best to take, and to encrease our small stocks by some witty exploit. We propounded many things which we approved not of. We thought of turning Highway-men; but I disswaded him from that, by informing him that money was very scarce, and that men of 500l. per annum usually travelled 30 or 40 miles with a single Cob, or piece of eight, not so much for fear of robbing as for want of Coyn; and that is the reason that all sorts of provision are very cheap, because there is so great a scarcity of that should purchase them. Why then said he, there is mony enough in the Exchequer. But said I, it is so difficult to come at, that I will not hazard my life in the attempt. Hearing me speak in this manner, he lookt upon me in derision: saying, That fear was a passion unworthy to be lodg’d in the Soul of man, and that there is nothing here which a man either should or need to fear, Secundem Religionem Stoici: And that man deserved not the fruition of the least happiness here, that would not, rather then go without it, venture his neck.

We had so hot a contest about this, that we parted in anger, and never saw him afterwards till I heard of his condemnation, which was occasioned by the prosecution of what he propounded to me. Two or three more besides himself combined to rob the Exchequer, but were apprehended in the enterprize, committed, arraigned at the Bar, convicted and condemned. Hearing hereof, I gave him a visit in Prison; expressing much sorrow for what he was to suffer: but he onely laught at me for my pains. I desir’d him to be more serious, since three dayes would put a period to his life, and then he must give an account of what he had done on earth; and that though we might sooth up our selves in all manner of debauchery here, yet without cordial repentance we must suffer for it hereafter. Prethee, said he, do not trouble thy head with such idle fancies. That there is a God I cannot, nor will not deny, since there are Regiments of Arguments levied both from the stately fabrick of the arched Heaven, and from the inimitable embroidery of the flowry earth which are sufficient to conquer that infidelity, and render men tributaries to the all-forming Essence. But that this God should be so unjust (who is al goodness) as to make the intent of my Creation damnation, it shall never come within the verge of my belief: if there be any punishment for criminal commissions, it must be annihilation, or nothing. Quote not me the Scriptures for my conviction if I err, since they are full of contradictions, and contain many things incredible. Neither do I know (since we are forbidden murder) why Abraham should kill his Son Isaac and the same person commit Adultery with his maid Hagar, (which is largely describ’d) and yet we are commanded the contrary; if we borrow or steal, we are enjoyn’d to make restitution; notwithstanding, the Israelites were permitted to borrow the Egyptians Earrings without giving satisfaction. In this manner I could cavil ad infinitum; and yet this Book is the Basis of Christianity. Let me tell me you plainly, Religion at first was only the quaint Leger-de-main of some strong pated Statesmen, who to overawe the Capriciousness of a giddy multitude, did forge the opinion of a punisher of all humane evil actions. What was Mahomet but an Impostor, whose palpable cheats grew up in his successors into a Religion, and whose inventions were and are receiv’d with as much adoration by the wisest of men, as is the Orthodox Veneration (as they term it) to a Deity, which is the object of Christian worship. The Popes piety is onely pride and ambition, and yet he pronounces Damnation against all such as are not of his belief, &c. If you will know the diversity of Religions, (all oppugning on the other) take a view thereof in Mr. Ross his Pansebeia. Now seeing the rational soul hath fail’d so oft and so absurdly in its discoveries, how or why should we submit our selves slavishly to its determinations. For that which doth at some times err, can never at any time be concluded infallible. He would have proceeded, but I desir’d him to desist.

Now his prophane and irreligious discourse did so bore my glowing ears, that notwithstanding the wickedness of my own nature, I could not endure to hear him blaspheme; wherefore instead of endeavouring to rectifie his erroneous judgement, (for to speak the truth, my knowledg at that time was but slender in the doctrine of Christianity) I durst not discourse longer with him, but left him to his own Conscience for conviction, which I judg’d would be powerful with him at the place of Execution.

The day being come, I resolved to see the final end of my friend. And there did I enjoy the fruits of my hopes and wishes. For as soon as the Halter was about his neck, he roared so loud with his voice, that it could not but awake the most lethargick conscience that ever the Devil lull’d asleep. There I might see and know by the urinal of his eyes, and the water standing therein, what convulsion-fits his soul suffer’d, his own mouth confessing how grievously his diseased soul was stretched upon the rack of despair: then it was that the voluminous Registers of his conscience, which did formerly lye clasp’d in some unsearcht corner of his memory, were laid open before him; and the Devil, who hitherto gave him the lessening end of the prospect to survey his licentious courses and damned opinion, now turned the magnifying end to his eye, which made him cry out at last for mercy, and so was turn’d off.