Ch. How happy are they that wait for Death with such a Frame of Mind?  But as for Cato’s Speech, altho’ it be an excellent one, methinks there is more Boldness and Arrogance in it, than becomes a Christian.  Indeed, I never read anything in a Heathen, that comes nearer to a Christian, than what Socrates said to Crito, a little before he drank his Poison; Whether I shall be approv’d or not in the Sight of God, I cannot tell; but this I am certain of, that I have most affectionately endeavoured to please him; and I have a good Hope, that he will accept of my Endeavours. This great Man was diffident of his own Performances; but so, that being conscious to himself of the Propensity of his Inclination to obey the divine Will, he conceived a good Hope, that God, of his Goodness, would accept him for the Honesty of his Intentions.

Neph. Indeed, it was a wonderful Elevation of Mind in a Man, that knew not Christ, nor the holy Scriptures:  And therefore, I can scarce forbear, when I read such Things of such Men, but cry out, Sancte Socrates, ora pro nobis; Saint Socrates, pray for us.

Ch. And I have much ado sometimes to keep myself from entertaining good Hopes of the Souls of Virgil and Horace.

Neph. But how unwillingly have I seen many Christians die?  Some put their Trust in Things not to be confided in; others breathe out their Souls in Desperation, either out of a Consciousness of their lewd Lives, or by Reason of Scruples that have been injected into their Minds, even in their dying Hours, by some indiscreet Men.

Ch. It is no wonder to find them die so, who have spent their Time in philosophizing about Ceremonies all their Lives.

Neph. What do you mean by Ceremonies?

Ch. I’ll tell you, but with Protestation over and over beforehand, that I don’t find Fault with the Sacraments and Rites of the Church, but rather highly approve of them; but I blame a wicked and superstitious Sort of People, or (to put it in the softest Term) the simple and unlearned Persons, who teach People to put their Confidence in these Things, omitting those Things which make them truly Christians.

Neph. I don’t yet clearly understand what it is you aim at.

Ch. I’ll be plainer then.  If you look into Christians in common, don’t you find they live as if the whole Sum of Religion consisted in Ceremonies?  With how much Pomp are the antient Rites of the Church set forth in Baptism?  The Infant waits without the Church Door, the Exorcism is performed, the Catechizing is performed, Vows are made, Satan is abjured, with all his Pomps and Pleasures; then the Child is anointed, sign’d, season’d with Salt, dipt, a Charge given to his Sureties to see it well brought up; and the Oblation-Money being paid, they are discharged, and by this Time the Child passes for a Christian, and in some Sense is so.