Page:The Works of Samuel Johnson ... A journey to the Hebrides. The vision of Theodore, the hermit of Teneriffe. The fountains. Prayers and meditations. Sermons.v. 10-11. Parliamentary debates.pdf/340

 with the plunder of the miserable, spend his life in fantastick penances, or false devotion, and by his compliance with the external duties of religion, atone for withholding what he has torn away from the lawful possessour by rapine and extortion: let him not flatter himself with false persuasions that prayer and mortification can alter the great and invariable rules of reason and justice: let him not think that he can acquire a right to keep what he had no right to take away, or that frequent prostrations before God will justify his perseverance in oppressing men: let him be assured that his presence profanes the temple, and that his prayer will be turned into sin.

A frequent and serious reflection upon the necessity of reparation and restitution, may be very effectual to restrain men from injustice and defamation, from cruelty and extortion; for nothing is more certain, than that most propose themselves to die the death of the righteous, and intend, however they may offend God in the pursuit of their interest, or the gratification of their passions, to reconcile themselves to him by repentance. Would men, therefore, deeply imprint upon their minds the true notions of repentance in its whole extent, many temptations would lose their force; for who would utter a falsehood, which he must shamefully retract, or take away, at the expense of his reputation and his innocence, what, if he hopes for eternal happiness, he must afterwards restore? Who would commit a crime, of which he must retain the guilt, but lose the advantage?

There is, indeed, a partial restitution, with which many have attempted to quiet their consciences, and have betrayed their own souls. When they are sufficiently enriched by wicked practices, and leave off to rob from satiety of wealth, or are awakened to reflection upon their own lives by danger, adversity, or sickness, they then become desirous to be at peace with God, and hope to obtain, by refunding part of their acquisitions, a permission to enjoy the rest. In pursuance of this view churches are built, schools endowed, the poor clothed, and the ignorant edu