He found himself very happy at ’Squire Dilly’s, where there is always abundance of excellent fare, and hearty welcome.

On Sunday, June 3, we all went to Southill church, which is very near to Mr. Dilly’s house.  It being the first Sunday of the month, the holy sacrament was administered, and I staid to partake of it.  When I came afterwards into Dr. Johnson’s room, he said, ’You did right to stay and receive the communion; I had not thought of it.’  This seemed to imply that he did not choose to approach the altar without a previous preparation, as to which good men entertain different opinions, some holding that it is irreverent to partake of that ordinance without considerable premeditation; others, that whoever is a sincere Christian, and in a proper frame of mind to discharge any other ritual duty of our religion, may, without scruple, discharge this most solemn one.  A middle notion I believe to be the just one, which is, that communicants need not think a long train of preparatory forms indispensibly necessary; but neither should they rashly and lightly venture upon so aweful and mysterious an institution.  Christians must judge each for himself, what degree of retirement and self-examination is necessary upon each occasion.

Being in a frame of mind which, I hope for the felicity of human nature, many experience,—­in fine weather,—­at the country house of a friend,—­consoled and elevated by pious exercises,—­I expressed myself with an unrestrained fervour to my ’Guide, Philosopher, and Friend[393];’ ’My dear Sir, I would fain be a good man; and I am very good now[394].  I fear GOD, and honour the King, I wish to do no ill, and to be benevolent to all mankind.’  He looked at me with a benignant indulgence; but took occasion to give me wise and salutary caution.  ’Do not, Sir, accustom yourself to trust to impressions.  There is a middle state of mind between conviction and hypocrisy, of which many are conscious[395].  By trusting to impressions, a man may gradually come to yield to them, and at length be subject to them, so as not to be a free agent, or what is the same thing in effect, to suppose that he is not a free agent.  A man who is in that state, should not be suffered to live; if he declares he cannot help acting in a particular way, and is irresistibly impelled, there can be no confidence in him, no more than in a tyger.  But, Sir, no man believes himself to be impelled irresistibly; we know that he who says he believes it, lies.  Favourable impressions at particular moments, as to the state of our souls, may be deceitful and dangerous.  In general no man can be sure of his acceptance with God; some, indeed, may have had it revealed to them.  St. Paul, who wrought miracles, may have had a miracle wrought on himself, and may have obtained supernatural assurance of pardon, and mercy, and beatitude; yet St. Paul, though he expresses strong hope, also expresses fear, lest having preached to others, he himself should be a cast-away[396].’