On Friday, May 29[698], being to set out for Scotland next morning, I passed a part of the day with him in more than usual earnestness; as his health was in a more precarious state than at any time when I had parted from him.  He, however, was quick and lively, and critical as usual.  I mentioned one who was a very learned man.  JOHNSON.  ’Yes, Sir, he has a great deal of learning; but it never lies straight.  There is never one idea by the side of another; ’tis all entangled:  and then he drives it so aukwardly upon conversation.’

I stated to him an anxious thought, by which a sincere Christian might be disturbed, even when conscious of having lived a good life, so far as is consistent with human infirmity; he might fear that he should afterwards fall away, and be guilty of such crimes as would render all his former religion vain.  Could there be, upon this aweful subject, such a thing as balancing of accounts?  Suppose a man who has led a good life for seven years, commits an act of wickedness, and instantly dies; will his former good life have any effect in his favour?  JOHNSON.  ’Sir, if a man has led a good life for seven years, and then is hurried by passion to do what is wrong, and is suddenly carried off, depend upon it he will have the reward of his seven years’ good life; GOD will not take a catch of him.  Upon this principle Richard Baxter believes that a Suicide may be saved.  “If, (says he) it should be objected that what I maintain may encourage suicide, I answer, I am not to tell a lie to prevent it."’ BOSWELL.  ’But does not the text say, “As the tree falls, so it must lie[699]?"’ JOHNSON.  ’Yes, Sir; as the tree falls:  but,—­(after a little pause)—­that is meant as to the general state of the tree, not what is the effect of a sudden blast.’  In short, he interpreted the expression as referring to condition, not to position.  The common notion, therefore, seems to be erroneous; and Shenstone’s witty remark on Divines trying to give the tree a jerk upon a death-bed, to make it lie favourably, is not well founded[700].

I asked him what works of Richard Baxter’s I should read.  He said, ’Read any of them; they are all good[701].’

He said, ’Get as much force of mind as you can.  Live within your income.  Always have something saved at the end of the year.  Let your imports be more than your exports, and you’ll never go far wrong.’

I assured him, that in the extensive and various range of his acquaintance there never had been any one who had a more sincere respect and affection for him than I had.  He said, ’I believe it, Sir.  Were I in distress, there is no man to whom I should sooner come than to you.  I should like to come and have a cottage in your park, toddle about, live mostly on milk, and be taken care of by Mrs. Boswell.  She and I are good friends now; are we not?’

Talking of devotion, he said, ’Though it be true that “GOD dwelleth not in temples made with hands[702],” yet in this state of being, our minds are more piously affected in places appropriated to divine worship, than in others.  Some people have a particular room in their house, where they say their prayers; of which I do not disapprove, as it may animate their devotion.’