J. Why, Mr. Richard, did you never read it? Don’t you know how to read?
D. O yes, I can read very well, but I do not spend my time in reading all sorts of books.
J. Mr. Richard, you must not speak of the Bible in that manner. It is the word of God, who made the heavens, and the earth, and all things, and it is truth itself.
D. Why what can all such a great book be about?
J. It tells the history of the world since the creation. There is an account of the deluge, when all the earth was covered with water, even the tops of the mountains. There is the history of Abraham and Isaac, and then there is the beautiful history of Joseph, and an account of wicked Pharaoh who was drowned in the Red Sea. Then there is the history of Moses and the ten commandments, which God spake from mount Sinai. And there is the history of King David who wrote the Psalms, and of Solomon his son, who was the wisest man. But then above all there is the history of the Son of God, who came down from heaven and died for sinners, I mean Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour; and I cannot tell you how many histories besides.
D. Pray what is to be learned from all these histories, as you call them?
J. They teach us what God is, and all that he has done for us his creatures. But above all, they teach us that we are all sinners by nature and inclined to evil, and that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, alone can save our souls from being lost and suffering punishment in hell.
D. Then I am in danger of being lost, and do I need any body to save my soul?
J. Why, Mr. Richard what do you think? All are sinners, and surely you are not one of the best among us.