His father, though a man of pleasure, was possessed also not only of probity but of religion as well.

His three aunts were all in their degrees gracious and devout.

M.Lambercier at Bossey, "although Churchman and preacher," was still a sincere believer and nearly as good in act as in word.

His inculcation of religion was so hearty, so discreet, so reasonable, that his pupils, far from being wearied by the sermon, never came away without being touched inwardly and stirred to make virtuous resolutions.

With his Aunt Bernard devotion was rather more tiresome, because she made a business of it.[18] It would be a distinct error to suppose that all this counted for nothing, for let us remember that we are now engaged with the youth of the one great religious writer of France in the eighteenth century.