The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 139
will hang yourself in despair—’ ‘Which the Lord of his infinite
mercy forbid! (exclaimed the affrighted Clinker) It is very pos-
sible I may be under the temptation of the devil, who wants to
wreck me on the rocks of spiritual pride—Your honour says, I am
either a knave or a madman; now, as I’ll assure your honour I am
no knave, it follows that I must be mad; therefore, I beseech your
honour, upon my knees, to take my case into consideration, that
means may be used for my recovery—’
The ’squire could not help smiling at the poor fellow’s simpli-
city, and promised to take care of him, provided he would mind the
business of his place, without running after the new-light of
methodism: but Mrs. Tabitha took offence at his humility, which
she interpreted into poorness of spirit and worldly mindedness—
She upbraided him with the want of courage to suffer for conscience
sake—She observed, that if he should lose his place for bearing
testimony to the truth, Providence would not fail to find him
another, perhaps more advantageous; and, declaring that it could
not be very agreeable to live in a family where an inquisition was
established, retired to another room in great agitation.
My uncle followed her with a significant look, then, turning to
the preacher, ‘You hear what my sister says,—If you cannot live
with me upon such terms as I have prescribed, the vineyard of
methodism lies before you, and she seems very well disposed to
reward your labour—’ ‘I would not willingly give offence to any
soul upon earth (answered Humphry); her ladyship has been very
good to me, ever since we came to London; and surely she has a
heart turned for religious exercises; and both she and lady Griskin
sing psalms and hymns like two cherubims—But, at the same time,
I’m bound to love and obey your honour—It becometh not such
a poor ignorant fellow as me, to hold dispute with gentlemen of
rank and learning—As for the matter of knowledge, I am no more
than a beast in comparison of your honour; therefore I submit;
and, with God’s grace, I will follow you to the world’s end, if you
don’t think me too far gone to be out of confinement—’
His master promised to keep him for some time longer on trial;
then desired to know in what manner lady Griskin and Mr. Barton
came to join their religious society. He told him, that her ladyship
was the person who first carried my aunt and sister to the Taber-
nacle, whither he attended them, and had his devotion kindled by
Mr. W——’s preaching: that he was confirmed in this new way,