Well my Lad, _said he_, remain as you are, or else turn to that Side where you think to find most Advantage. I will not make use of the Authority of _Polybius_, a very famous Historian about 200 Years before _Christ_, who pretended, as he says in his sixth Chapter, "That the Gods, as well as Punishments and Rewards after this Life, are only the chimerical Productions of the Ancients, which would be very insignificant if a Republic was to be form'd to consist only of good Men; but because there is no State where the People are not irregular and wicked, 'tis absolutely necessary for keeping them in Awe, to make use of the Panic Terrors of another World, to admit, believe and intirely to conform to them, on Pain of passing for Madmen and Fools." As this great Man was a Pagan, 'tis not fair to quote him among us upon a Fact of such Consequence. So that it shall suffice to tell you, that 'tis a Maxim with Great Men as well as the Learned to accommodate themselves to Times and Seasons. 'Tis indifferent in what Church, or with what People we worship God, provided we serve him with Respect and Veneration. He is the only common Father of all Mankind, and is willing to grant them all Salvation. 'Tis neither the Denomination of _Catholic_, _Calvinist_, _Lutheran_ nor _Anabaptist_, by which People are sav'd, but by Faith and good Works, The Man that leads a good Life is acceptable; to God, wherever he dwells, and Providence which trieth the Heart and the Reins, can easily distinguish a Believer from 100000 wicked and ungodly Persons. Most of the Articles which set Men at Variance in Religion are not so essential as is pretended by the Clergy; 'tis often a Matter of Indifference whether they are accepted or rejected; and provided there are any of Consequence, 'tis always certain that no Body knows our Hearts, and 'tis an easy Thing to associate with Fools, and even to imitate their external Grimaces without embracing their ridiculous Opinions. Worship is not attach'd to any particular Place, nor is Adoration paid any longer on the Mountain or in _Jerusalem_. God no longer requires the Blood of Heifers for his Satisfaction, nor the Distorsions of the Body. My Son, _says he_, give me thy Heart. This, _I said,_ appears to me very rational, I most humbly thank you for your Advice; and according to these Principles I shall be content with keeping up the Title of a Christian, without attaching myself absolutely to any one Sect. Ever since that Time, continued the _Chinese_, while I travell'd with Mons. _Pelciano_, I attended at all the Divine Services without any Scruple, and without giving Offence to any Person whatsoever.