human
Indeed, sir, it is not my fault; I did beg my husband to allow himself a bit of meat to-day out of your honor's bounty; but he was too good to do it, and it is all for my sake. The shepherd seemed unwilling to come to an explanation, but Mr. Johnson desired Mary to go on. So she continued:
gpt
You must know, sir, that both of us, next to a sin, dread a debt, and indeed in some cases a debt is a sin; but with all our care and pains, we have never been able quite to pay off the doctor's bill for that bad fit of rheumatism which I had last winter. Now when you were pleased to give my husband that kind present the other day, I heartily desired him to buy a bit of meat for Sunday, as I said before, that he might have a little refreshment for himself out of your kindness. 'But,' answered he, 'Mary, it is never out of my mind long together that we still owe a few shillings to the doctor (and thank God it is all we did owe in the world). Now if I carry him his money directly it will not only show him our honesty and our good-will, but it will be an encouragement to him to come to you another time in case you should be taken once more in such a bad fit; for I must own,' added my poor husband, 'that the thought of your being so terribly ill without any help, is the only misfortune that I want courage to face.'
human
Indeed, sir, said the shepherd,
gpt
But come, said the good gentleman,
human
gpt
As good water, said the shepherd,
human
Very well, replied Mr. Johnson;
gpt
So saying, he looked full at the boy, who did not offer to stir; but cast an eye at his father to know what he was to do.
human
Sir, said the shepherd,
gpt
I hope we shall not appear ungrateful if we seem to refuse your favor; my little boy would, I am sure, fly to serve you on any other occasion. But, good sir, it is Sunday; and should any of my family be seen at a public house on a Sabbath-day, it would be a much greater grief to me than to drink water all my life. I am often talking against these doing to others; and if I should say one thing and do another, you can't think what an advantage it would give many of my neighbors over me, who would be glad enough to report that they had caught the shepherd's son at the alehouse without explaining how it happened. Christians, you know, sir, must be doubly watchful; or they will not only bring disgrace on themselves, but what is much worse, on that holy name by which they are called.
human
Are you not a little too cautious, my honest friend? said Mr. Johnson.
gpt
I humbly ask your pardon, sir, replied the shepherd,
human
You are right indeed, said Mr. Johnson,
gpt
human
Sir, said the shepherd,
gpt
I am afraid you will think me very bold, but you encourage me to speak out.
human
said the gentleman.
gpt
Then, sir, resumed the shepherd,
human
I doubt if, where there is a frequent temptation to do wrong, any fault can be called small; that is, in short, if there is any such thing as a small willful sin. A poor man like me is seldom called out to do great things, so that it is not by a few striking deeds his character can be judged by his neighbors, but by the little round of daily customs he allows himself in.
gpt
I should like, said Mr. Johnson,
human
I am but a poor scholar, sir, replied the shepherd,
gpt
But, said Mr. Johnson,
human
Indeed, sir, replied the shepherd,
gpt
I think I can find out the principle at least, if I bring but a willing mind. The want of that is the great hinderance. _Whosoever doeth my will, he shall know of the doctrine._ You know that text, sir. I believe a stubborn will makes the Bible harder to be understood than any want of learning. 'Tis corrupt affections which blind the understanding, sir. The more a man hates sin, the clearer he will see his way, and the more he loves holiness, the better he will understand his Bible--the more practical conviction will he get of that pleasant truth, that _the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him_. Now, sir, suppose I had time and learning, and possessed of all the books I saw at the bishop's, where could I find out a surer way to lay the axe to the root of all covetousness, selfishness, and injustice, than the plain and ready rule, _to do unto all men as I would they should do unto me_. If my neighbor does me an injury, can I be at any loss how to proceed with him, when I recollect the parable of the unforgiving steward, who refused to pardon a debt of a hundred pence, when his own ten thousand talents had been remitted to him? I defy any man to retain habitual selfishness, hardness of heart, or any other allowed sin, who daily and conscientiously tries his own heart by this touchstone. The straight rule will show the crooked practice to every one who honestly tries the one by the other.
human
Why you seem to make Scripture a thing of general application, said Mr. Johnson,
gpt
It applies to every thing, sir, replied the shepherd.
human
When those men who are now disturbing the peace of the world, and trying to destroy the confidence of God's children in their Maker and their Saviour; when those men, I say, came to my poor hovel with their new doctrines and their new books, I would never look into one of them; for I remember it was the first sin of the first pair to lose their innocence for the sake of a little wicked knowledge; besides, _my own book_ told me--_To fear God and honor the king--To meddle not with them who are given to change--Not to speak evil of dignities--To render honor to whom honor is due_. So that I was furnished with a little coat of mail, as I may say, which preserved me, while those who had no such armor fell into the snare.