in, a better security for his behaviour than all the causes and restrictions put together which lawmakers are forced to multiply:— Forced , I say, as things stand; human laws not being a matter of original choice, but of pure necessity, brought in to fence against the mischievous effects of those consciences which are no law unto themselves; well intending, by the many provisions made,—that in all such corrupt and misguided cases, where principles and the checks of conscience will not make us upright,—to supply their force, and, by the terrors of gaols and halters, oblige us to it.” > > [I see plainly, said my father, that this sermon has been composed to be preached at the Temple,⸺or at some Assize.—I like the reasoning,—and am sorry that Dr. Slop has fallen asleep before the time of his conviction:—for it is now clear, that the Parson, as I thought at first, never insulted St. Paul in the least;—nor has there been, brother, the least difference between them.⸺A great matter, if they had differed, replied my uncle Toby ,—the best friends in the world may differ sometimes.⸺True,—brother Toby , quoth my father, shaking hands with him,—we’ll fill our pipes, brother, and then Trim shall go on. > > Well,⸺what dost thou think of it? said my father speaking to Corporal Trim , as he reached his tobacco-box. > > I think, answered the Corporal, that the seven watchmen upon the tower, who, I suppose, are all sentinels there,—are more, an’ please your Honour, than were necessary;—and, to go on at that rate, would harrass a regiment all to pieces, which a commanding officer, who
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