Робинзон Крузо
A Cave Retreat
Religionjoinedinwiththisprudential,andIwasconvincednow,manyways,thatIwasperfectlyoutofmydutywhenIwaslayingallmybloodyschemesforthedestructionofinnocentcreatures;Imeaninnocentastome. Astothecrimestheywereguiltyoftowardsoneanother,Ihadnothingtodowiththem. Theywerenational,andIoughttoleavethemtothejusticeofGod,whoistheGovernorofnations,andknowshow,bynationalpunishments,tomakeajustretributionfornationalofandtobringpublicjudgmentsuponthosewhooffendinapublicmannerbysuchwaysasbestpleasesHim.
Thisappearedsocleartomenow,thatnothingwasagreatersatisfactiontomethanthatIhadnotbeensufferedtodoathingwhichInowsawsomuchreasontobelievewouldhavebeennolessasinthanthatofwillfulmurder,ifIhadcommittedit. AndIgavemosthumblethanksonmykneestoGod,thathadthusdeliveredmefromblood-guiltiness; beseechingHimtograntmetheprotectionofHisprovidence,thatImightnotfallintothehandsofthebarbarians,orthatImightnotlaymyhandsuponthem,unlessIhadamoreclearcallfromHeaventodoit,indefenceofmyownlife.
InthisdispositionIcontinuedfornearayearafterthis; andsofarwasIfromdesiringanoccasionforfallinguponthesewretches,thatinallthattimeIneveroncewentupthehilltoseewhethertherewereanyoftheminsight,ortoknowwhetheranyofthemhadbeenonshorethere,ornot,thatImightnotbetemptedtorenewanyofmycontrivancesagainstthem,orbeprovided,byanyadvantagewhichmightpresentitself,tofalluponthem. OnlythisIdid,Iwentandremovedmyboat,whichIhadontheothersidetheisland,andcarrieditdowntotheeastendofthewholeisland,whereIranitintoalittlecove,whichIfoundundersomehighrocks,andwhereIknew,byreasonofthecurrents,thesavagesdurstnot,atleastwouldnotcome,withtheirboats,uponanyaccountwhatsoever.
