to give to vagabonds.” “Besides, if
we were inclined, the poor’s rate obliges us
to give so much charity,” cries the wife.
“Pugh! thou art a fool. Poor’s reate!
Hold thy nonsense,” answered Trulliber; and then,
turning to Adams, he told him, “he would give
him nothing.” “I am sorry,”
answered Adams, “that you do know what charity
is, since you practise it no better: I must tell
you, if you trust to your knowledge for your justification,
you will find yourself deceived, though you should
add faith to it, without good works.” “Fellow,”
cries Trulliber, “dost thou speak against faith
in my house? Get out of my doors: I will
no longer remain under the same roof with a wretch
who speaks wantonly of faith and the Scriptures.”
“Name not the Scriptures,” says Adams.
“How! not name the Scriptures! Do you disbelieve
the Scriptures?” cries Trulliber. “No;
but you do,” answered Adams, “if I may
reason from your practice; for their commands are
so explicit, and their rewards and punishments so
immense, that it is impossible a man should stedfastly
believe without obeying. Now, there is no command
more express, no duty more frequently enjoined, than
charity. Whoever, therefore, is void of charity,
I make no scruple of pronouncing that he is no Christian.”
“I would not advise thee,” says Trulliber,
“to say that I am no Christian: I won’t
take it of you; for I believe I am as good a man as
thyself” (and indeed, though he was now rather
too corpulent for athletic exercises, he had, in his
youth, been one of the best boxers and cudgel-players
in the county). His wife, seeing him clench his
fist, interposed, and begged him not to fight, but
show himself a true Christian, and take the law of
him. As nothing could provoke Adams to strike,
but an absolute assault on himself or his friend, he
smiled at the angry look and gestures of Trulliber;
and, telling him he was sorry to see such men in orders,
departed without further ceremony.
CHAPTER XV.
An adventure, the consequence of a new instance which parson Adams gave
of his forgetfulness.
When he came back to the inn he found Joseph and Fanny
sitting together. They were so far from thinking
his absence long, as he had feared they would, that
they never once missed or thought of him. Indeed,
I have been often assured by both, that they spent
these hours in a most delightful conversation; but,
as I never could prevail on either to relate it, so
I cannot communicate it to the reader.
Adams acquainted the lovers with the ill success of
his enterprize. They were all greatly confounded,
none being able to propose any method of departing,
till Joseph at last advised calling in the hostess,
and desiring her to trust them; which Fanny said she
despaired of her doing, as she was one of the sourest-faced
women she had ever beheld.
