The Adventures of Roderick Random

Religious dispute between priest and uncle

The uncle grows jealous of the priest’s influence and abruptly declares that if the narrator should ever renounce his religion, he will break off all connection and correspondence. He asserts that no honest man would swerve from his principles, whether Turkish, Protestant, or Roman. The affronted priest launches into a long discourse on the danger of obstinacy and shutting one’s eyes against the light, citing Scripture and the Fathers to prove the Pope’s authority as successor of St. Peter. He declares the Protestant faith an impious heresy and damnable schism. The lieutenant, distracted by his own affairs, dismissively replies that he has no objection to what the priest says, may be either truth or false, and he trusts no creed but the compass, defying the Pope, the Devil, and the Pretender. This gives great offense to the friar, who protests that had Mr. Bowling not been his countryman, he would have him imprisoned for his insolence.

Priest reconciles with uncle after dispute

The narrator ventures to disapprove of his uncle’s rashness and appeases the old gentleman by assuring him no offense was intended. Mr. Bowling, now sensible of his error, shakes the injured party’s hand and asks pardon for his freedom. The matter being amicably compromised, the priest invites them to visit him at his convent that afternoon and takes his leave. The uncle then strongly recommends the narrator persevere in the religion of his forefathers, whatever advantages might be proposed by a change. The narrator assures him no consideration would induce him to forfeit his friendship and good opinion on that score, at which the uncle shows great satisfaction.