On Saturday, June 12, there drank tea with us at Dr. Adams’s, Mr. John Henderson, student of Pembroke-College, celebrated for his wonderful acquirements in Alchymy, Judicial Astrology, and other abstruse and curious learning[917]; and the Reverend Herbert Croft, who, I am afraid, was somewhat mortified by Dr. Johnson’s not being highly pleased with some Family Discourses, which he had printed; they were in too familiar a style to be approved of by so manly a mind.  I have no note of this evening’s conversation, except a single fragment.  When I mentioned Thomas Lord Lyttelton’s vision[918], the prediction of the time of his death, and its exact fulfilment;—­JOHNSON.  ’It is the most extraordinary thing that has happened in my day.  I heard it with my own ears, from his uncle, Lord Westcote.  I am so glad to have every evidence of the spiritual world, that I am willing to believe it.’  DR. ADAMS.  ’You have evidence enough; good evidence, which needs not such support.’  JOHNSON.  ‘I like to have more[919].’

Mr. Henderson, with whom I had sauntered in the venerable walks of Merton-College, and found him a very learned and pious man, supped with us.  Dr. Johnson surprised him not a little, by acknowledging with a look of horrour, that he was much oppressed by the fear of death[920].  The amiable Dr. Adams suggested that GOD was infinitely good.  JOHNSON.  ’That he is infinitely good, as far as the perfection of his nature will allow, I certainly believe; but it is necessary for good upon the whole, that individuals should be punished.  As to an individual, therefore, he is not infinitely good; and as I cannot be sure that I have fulfilled the conditions on which salvation is granted, I am afraid I may be one of those who shall be damned.’ (looking dismally.) DR. ADAMS.  ‘What do you mean by damned?’ JOHNSON. (passionately and loudly) ’Sent to Hell, Sir, and punished everlastingly[921].’  DR. ADAMS.  ’I don’t believe that doctrine.’  JOHNSON.  ’Hold, Sir, do you believe that some will be punished at all?’ DR. ADAMS.  ’Being excluded from Heaven will be a punishment; yet there may be no great positive suffering.’  JOHNSON.  ’Well, Sir; but, if you admit any degree of punishment, there is an end of your argument for infinite goodness simply considered; for, infinite goodness would inflict no punishment whatever.  There is not infinite goodness physically considered; morally there is.’  BOSWELL.  ’But may not a man attain to such a degree of hope as not to be uneasy from the fear of death?’ JOHNSON.  ’A man may have such a degree of hope as to keep him quiet.  You see I am not quiet, from the vehemence with which I talk; but I do not despair.’  MRS. ADAMS.  ’You seem, Sir, to forget the merits of our Redeemer.’  JOHNSON.  ’Madam, I do not forget the merits of my Redeemer; but my Redeemer has said that he will set some on his right hand and some on his left.’  He was in gloomy agitation, and said, ’I’ll have no more on’t[922].’