But on such an Occasion as this, and from so distinguished a Hand, we had Reason to expect, Friend, that every Fact advanced should have been literally and manifestly true. I remember an Instance known all over _Europe_, that might have set thee right, if thou wert really ignorant of the Nature of _Romish_ Absolution. That is, that, notwithstanding the great Powers of that despotic King, _Lewis_ the XIVth, all his Authority could not prevail over any one Priest in his Dominions to give him Absolution, or administer to him the Sacrament whilst he lived in a state of Uncleanness with Madam _Maintenon_. He was so far from resenting their supporting an Authority, he thought them legally possessed of, that for the faithful Discharge of their Duty, he loaded his Confessors with Bishopricks; and at last at their Instances privately married his Mistress; and then, and not till then, received Absolution. I, for my part, Friend, think the Absolution pronounced by thy Church, and that by the Church of _Rome_, or by any human Creature alive, to be vain and useless, and the Product of spiritual Pride and Vanity. But the Spirit of Truth, that is within me, would not permit me to pass over so gross a Misrepresentation of Fact, without a proper Reprehension. This, with a very gentle Touch upon the want of a due Execution of the Laws, (for which thou dost not forget to ask Pardon) finishes the Bead-toll of National Sins, that are to draw down the immediate Vengeance of the most High. Thou then proceedest to hint that a due Execution of the Laws already in Being, and the particular Care of Masters of Families, may bring about a Reformation, and avert those Judgments thou supposest to be threatened by the two very terrible Shocks of an Earthquake. Strange Chimæra, to think that Wickedness, grown to such a height as to merit the special Notice of the Divine Being, and interwoven as it were with our very Nature, should be rooted out by such weak Means! How amazing is it, that a Physician should pretend to cure a complicated Malady, without once touching at the Source of the Disorder, by slightly tickling the outwards Parts, and leaving the Vitals to perish under a mortal Gangrene.