"Why this, I fear, Ben, is a true bill against the poor Heathens."
"Well, I am sure, father, the Jews were equally fond of the fig-leaf; as their own countrymen, the Prophets, are constantly charging them. JUSTICE, MERCY, and TRUTH had, it seems, no charms for them. They must have fig-leaf substitutes, such as tythings of _mint_, _anise_, and _cummmin_, and making '_long prayers in the streets_,' and deep groanings with '_disfigured faces in the synagogues_.' If they but did all this, then surely they must be Abraham's children even though they devoured widows' houses."
"Yes, father," continued Ben, "and it were well if the rage for the fig-leaf stopped with the Jews and Heathens; but the Christians are just as fond of substitutes that may save them the labour of imitating the Deity in his moral goodness. It is true, the old Jewish hobbies, mint, anise, and cummin, are not the hobbies of Christians; but still, father, you are not to suppose that they are to be disheartened for all that. Oh no. They have got a hobby worth all of them put together--they have got FAITH."
Here good old Josias began to darken; and looking at Ben with great solemnity, said, "I am afraid, my son, you do not treat this great article of our holy religion with sufficient reverence."
"My dear father," replied Ben eagerly, "I mean not the least reflection on FAITH, but solely on those hypocrites who abuse it to countenance their vices and crimes."
"O then, if that be your aim, go on, Ben, go on."
"Well, sir, as I was saying, not only the Jews and Heathens, but the Christians also have their fig-leaf substitutes for _Moral Goodness_. Because Christ has said that so great is the DIVINE CLEMENCY, that if even the worst of men will but have faith in it so as to repent and amend their lives by the golden law of '_love and good works_,' they should be saved, many lazy Christians are fond of overlooking those excellent conditions 'LOVE AND GOOD WORKS,' which constitute the moral image of the Deity, and fix upon the word FAITH for their salvation."
"Well, but child, do you make no account of faith?"
"None, father, as a fig-leaf cloak of immorality."
"But is not faith a great virtue in itself, and a qualification for heaven?"