The Travels of True Godliness, Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
Shewing how Godlineſs having received a Commiſſion to Travel, and viſ…t the Children of Men, comes to a certain Town on the Confines of Babylon, where one Riches dwelt, and of his uſage and evil intreatment there.
THE Great and Mighty Jehovah, the God and Father of true Grace and Godlineſs, out of his great Mercy and Infinite Goodneſs to Mankind, graciouſly was pleaſed to ſend them a Saviour, yea, a great and mighty Saviour, or one able to ſave to the uttermoſt all that come to God by him, *Hebrews 7.25.and to the end that they might have the knowledge of this Bleſſed Saviour, he hath ſent the Goſpel amongſt them, but in his eternal Wiſdom hath ſo decreed and ordained it, that no Man ſhould have any ſaving benefit by this Glorious Saviour but he who doth receive, entertain: and kindly embrace True Godlineſs whenſoever he is ſent to viſit them; and to the end therefore that they might not miſs of ſo great a Bleſſing which Godlineſs brings along with him. I may ſafely adventure to ſay according to my preſent Method, and to purſue my Allegorical Diſcourſe; Godlineſs hath received Commiſſion from the King of Heaven and Earth, to travel to ſee who would embrace and entertain him. Moreover, it appears his Commiſſion was very large, he was not limitted to the ſmall Confines of Jury, nor to ttravel only in the Land of Canaan, but to go into all the World, or to travel into all Nations Countries, and Kingdoms of the Earth, *Matt. 28.19, 20.and to viſit the Rich and Poor,Mark 16.15. the Old and Young, as well the King on the Throne as the Beggar on the Dung-hill, even all, Bond and Free, Male and Female; nor was he ſent to travel alone, but had a very rich and glorious Retinue alwaies with him; neither did he come o any man's Houſe empty handed, but brought along with him moſt rich and glorious Preſents of the choiceſt things of Heaven, the worth of which is infinite, or beyond computation. But ſince I perceive he is come to a certain Town, where one Riches dwells, and is now at his Door, let us ſee what Entertainment he meets with at this place,
Now Godlineſs knock'd very hard and often before any within would give an Anſwer,Godlineſs knocks at Riches Doors. Riches being full of buſineſs, for either he was telling of his money, or caſting up his Accounts, to ſee what his Neighbours owed him, or elſe conſulting new Projects to encreaſe his ſtore, for I perceive he is a perſon never ſatisfied; beſides the Times being very perillous, his mind was filled with perplexing and vexatious thoughts, how to ſave and keep what he had already gotten; ſo that he had no leaſure nor time to liſten to the continual knocking of True Godlineſs at his Door, inſomuch that Godlineſs was forced to ſtay there a long time, and that which grieved this High-born Prince moſt of all, was this (viz.) he perceived that no ſooner than ſome other Gueſts came to his Door (who were perſons much interiour, as to Birth and Quality, to him, and indeed not worthy of the leaſt regard, and not having buſineſs of that great weight and moment with him as Godlineſs had) yet he opened his Door immediately to them, but before this Renowned Hero and Darling of Heaven could get in, Riches had ſo many baſe and illbred Servants in his Houſe, that they clapp'd to the Door, ſo that he could not get ſo much as one foot in. Now, the Gueſts he ſo readily opened unto, were (as I take them) theſe following (viz.) The Luſt of the Fleſh, the Luſt of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life. *John 2.16Theſe be took much delight in, & kept company with continually; ſometimes they had him to the Tavern, ſometimes to the Play-Houſes, and ſometimes to recreate him at Bowls, Cards and Dice, and with divers other Senſual Sports and Pleaſures; but at laſt it ſo fell out, that he was taken very ſick, and Godlineſs ſtill waiting at his Door, it happened at this time one was in his Houſe, who forced him to liſten to this earneſt and continual knocking, his name was Mr. Fearful, he is one that Riches doth not at all love, but when ſickneſs comes he is grievouſly troubled with him; and he made him at this ſeaſon to cry out, who is there? who is at my Door.
Godly,
I am here, and have a long time waited at your Door.
Riches,
What is your Name?
Godly,
My name is True Godlineſs, one that you have a little reaſon to ſlight, neglect and contemn as you have done, for there is none you ſtand more in need of, nor can you do that good as I can, and will do you if you pleaſe but to open your Door and let me in.
Riches,
Sir I am troubled I have not minded you all this while, for I have a great reverence and reſpect for Godlineſs, God forbid I ſhould keep you out any longer.
Upon this, the whole Houſe was in an uproar, for he had (as I told you before) divers looſe, ill-bred, or rather Hell-bred Servants, all bitter Enemies to True Godlineſs, their Names were Preſumption, Pride, Ʋnbelief, Ignorance, Malice, Vain-hope, and Covetouſneſs, &c. Theſe and ſeveral other baſe companions of like quality (whom he had brought up, and a long time cheriſhed in his Houſe (ſeemed mightily concerned that the leaſt heed or attention ſhould be given to True Godlineſs; they alſo enquired who was the cauſe of it; at laſt they underſtood it was Mr. Fearful, they then preſently joyned together to fall upon Fearful, and turn him out of the Houſe. Preſumption ſtruck the firſt blow, and ſpake alſo to this purpoſe.
Preſump.
Are not you a baſe Fellow, thus to diſturb my Maſter, as to cauſe him in the leaſt to doubt of the ſtrength of his ſtrong and impregnable fortification, *Riches Bags of Gold and Silver.wherein he hath placed his long confidence, and now to force him to incline to open unto True Godlineſs, who is our utter Eemy? Is he not an honeſt man? what can you charge him with? What cauſe or ground is there for this diſturbance? Hath he not done much good in the Pariſh where he lives, and given many a piece of Bread at his Door? I warrant you it will go well with him, Fearful, what do you ſay?
Fearf.
Truly, Sir, I ſeeing him very ſick, thought he might die.
Preſumpt.
Thou Fool, what and if he ſhould, did not Jeſus Chriſt die for ſinners? God is merciful, and will forgive men their ſins at any time, even at the very laſt hour, if they do but call upon him. Beſides, Fearful, are you mad to give way, much more to force him to encline to open to True Godlineſs, for if once he is let into the Houſe, you will be immediately turned out, and hardly, if ever, have one Meals-meat more, nor the leaſt countenance.
Fearf.
Truly, Preſumption, the fault was not principally mine: I was partly forced to do what I did.
Preſumpt.
Forced by whom? who forced you?
Fearf. 'Twas the Steward of the Houſe, who keeps the Records, or an Accompt of all that is done, whoſe name is Conſcience; he finding much guilt lying upon him through his cruelty, hard-heartedneſs and debauched life, ſtirred me up to what I have done; nay, Conſcience told him he had been ſuch a vile and graceleſs wretch, that if he died he would go immediately to Hell; therefore you cannot blame me for diſquieting of him.
Pride,
Hearken to me a little; Is it not, my Maſters, below ſuch a brave and Heroick Spirit that alwaies attends Riches, to be troubled about ſin, or to give way to a bawlling Conſcience, and this ill-bred fellow Fearful, I hate the thoughts of it; this is the way to bring him to reproach and ſhame amongſt his Neighbours, and to make great men to laugh at him and contemn him, who have been his companions. My great Prince Lucifer ſent me into his ſervice, and I will not betray my truſt, ever to give way that this unwelcom and hateful Traveller true Godlineſs ſhould be let in, who would beguile my Prince of his right.
Ʋnbelief,
Alas Sirs, there is no danger; I agree with my Friend and deareſt Brother Preſumption, that hss condition is good enough, let Conſcience ſay what he will (for if there be a Hell, for I much queſtion it) yet he will go, ſhould he die, I will aſſure you, to Heaven.
Ignorance,
What a ſtir is here? if our Maſter was poor, and had not ſo many Bags of Gold and Silver, there might be ſome ground for this baſe Fellow Fearful, to diſquiet him. ▪But I can give as good counſel as any of you: Do you not know, if he does but ſend for a Romiſh Prieſt, with a good piece of Money, he may have a full pardon for all his ſins, for there are many, they ſay, juſt now come over freſh out of the Mint from his Holineſs; this being done, if he ſhould die, he will I will warrant you, be ſaved, nay and directly to Heaven without calling in at Purgotory.
Vain-hope,
I am of the mind with my Brother Ʋnbelief; and 'twas I alſo you know who have kept up his Spirits all along, and did what I could to ſtop Steward Conſcience's Mouth from giving way to Mr. Fearful to open the Door, let him therefore but put his truſt in me, and I warrant you he will fear nothing.
Preſumpt.
Come, ceaſe this noiſe, all is well enough yet, Godlineſs is not let in, and our Maſter is much better than he was, and though Conſcience incline to embrace this our Enemy, yet you will find he will not be regarded e'er a little while: Pray let us all agree at preſent to ſtir up Riches eldeſt Son, whoſe name is Honour, the Father's Darling, and the hopes of all the Family, to ſee what he can do in order to keep our Enemy Godlineſs out. Now, our Friend Pride is the fitteſt to be employed in this Work, for he is much in favour with our Maſters eldeſt Son, and his own Child too—After a ſhort time thus it fell out, Riches being recovered, he conſulted with Worldly Honour, a great Enemy to True Godlineſs, which was one reaſon why the Father and true Image of Godlineſs ſaid a great while ago, how can ye believe that receive honour one of another, and ſeek not the honour that cometh from God alone. *John 5.44.Now, Pride, Ambition and Honour, being all three the Natural Off-ſpring of Riches, got ſo much into his Affection, that Godlineſs was kept out (making good that word, The Wicked through the Pride of his Countenance will not ſeek after God; God is not in all his Thoughts) and Conſcience being at this time almoſt ſtitled, Fearful was forc'd to flie and hide himſelf in ſome Hole till another ſeaſon: But Godlineſs remained at his Door for a long time, even till he waxed Old, and Conſcience having recovered a little ſtrength (by reaſon of his going now and then to hear a Sermon) ſtirred up Mr. Fearful again to open the Door, and had almoſt prevail'd, had not a Curſed Servant of Riches, who, I take, was his Purſe-keeper, beſtirr'd himſelf, whoſe Name was Covetouſneſs, an implacable Enemy to True Godlineſs, who when he perceived Godlineſs was like to meet with ſome ſeeming Entertainment, ſpake to Riches after this ſort.
Covet.
Sir, will you be ſo fooliſh now in your Old Age, as to open your Door to this Stranger and factious Perſon, Godlineſs? It will be to your great loſs and injury, if you do, I will aſſure you: And beſides, I who have been a true Drudge to you all along, and by the means of whom you have got moſt of your Eſtate, ſhall at the very inſtant you receive him into your Houſe, be turn'd out; nay, and not only ſo, but alſo be brought under a ſevere Sentence, and be condemned to die for Idolatry, and then your Money will fly, for you will find him a chargeable Gentleman, for he teaches a Doctrine that I am ſure you hate, and I cannot blame you, for 'tis very deſtructive to your Intereſt.
Riches.
What Doctrine is that, prethee inform me, for I have a very good eſteem for thee; and intruth, for a long time have been ſenſible of the gainful ſervice thou haſt done me, for when I kept my old Servant Prodigality to be my Purſe-keeper, I could never thrive; but ſince I met with thee, I have increaſed my Subſtance exceedingly.
Covet.
Why, Sir, then I will tell you, he teaches Riches to ſell all that he hath, and give it to the Poor, and to follow a new Maſter who had not one foot of Land in all the World, nor a Houſe to dwell in; no, nor one penny of Money in his pocket, whoſe Diſciples were generally poor, illiterate and contemptible people, &c. Sir in a word, if you open to this Godlineſs, you will be undone, for tho' you are not put upon the ſelling all you have preſently, yet you will be forc'd by him to give to the poor Saints (as they call them) not a little, but according to what your Eſtate and their neceſſity is; nay, you will not know when you have done, for he will find out for you every day new objects of Charity; he will tell you there are ſo many poor Pariſh-Children to be put out, and ſo much you muſt give with them; and ſo many aged Widdows, who muſt be relieved; and who ſhould do it, he will ſay, but Riches; nay, 'tis a thouſand to one if he doth not put you to Build an Hoſpital for them: Beſides, when you have done this, he will not let you reſt, but will tell you, whenſoever Chriſt in his Members is ſick, you muſt viſit them; and when Hungry, Feed them; when Naked, Cloath them; and when in Priſon, you muſt Relieve them; take notice that he will ſend you to this Priſon, and to that Priſon, to ſee if Chriſt be not there, I mean ſome of his poor Children who lie there for his ſake; if there be; though they may not in all Points of Religion agree with you, yet he will tell you, you muſt not let them want whilſt you have enough to ſupply their Neceſſity, and if you do, he will tell you, Go ye Curſed will be your portion at laſt. Beſides all this, you do not think what a deal of Money he will tell you is your Duty, to give to Paſtors and Miniſters of the Goſpel, who are his great Agents and Promoters in the World; nay, Sir, he poſitively affirms, you ought not only to give to them juſt ſo much as will ſupply their Neceſſities but that 'tis your Duty to give, and their Right, Jure Divino, to have a plentiful Allowance, ſo that, they may be freed from all the perplexing Cares of this Life; and not only ſo, but alſo be put themſelves into a capacity to provide for their Wives and Children, that they may not be expoſed to Want and Neceſſities after they themſelves are dead, and to have ſo much out of your Eſtate, as to be able to give to others alſo, that ſo they may be examples of Charity (and indeed I cannot deny but that the Scripture does ſay they ought to be Men given to Hoſpitality, Tit. 1.8.) and many of them are poor, and therefore how they ſhould do this, Godlineſs, ſays is impoſſible, unleſs they are capacitated ſo to do by Riches. Moreover, I will tell you more (now I am about it) this Godlineſs is ſo unhappy, and in truth hath always been, that he hath many great and Potent Enemies, ſo that they who receive and entertain him have been expoſed to great Troubles and Perſecutions in the World; nay, and let me tell you between you and I, your whole Eſtate will be in danger of being taken away if you entertain him, for I have heard of very ſevere Laws made formerly, and of late Times too, in one Nation or another, againſt ſuch who do own and will adhere to him; yea, ſuch Laws that will, if proſecuted▪ ſoon bring you to Beggery; ſo that from the whole▪ you may perceive, will not be for your Intereſt to open to him.
Riches.
I muſt confeſs thou haſt ſaid enough to make me ſot ever out of Love with True Godlineſs, I cannot bear the thoughts of entertaining ſuch a Gueſt as this in my Houſe, but what ſhall I do with my bawling Steward, Conſcience, for▪ he every now and then tells me I muſt give away to him, and ſtirs up Mr. Fearful my Lodger (one that I hate, but cann't be rid of let me do what I can) to terrifie me with the thoughts of Hell and Damnation, for without Holineſs (I muſt confeſs I have read) no man ſhall ſee the Lord; and 'tis ſaid too, Whoever will live Godly in Chriſt Jeſus, ſhall ſuffer Perſecution.
Covet.
Why truly, Sir, I ſee no Remedy but you muſt reſolve to ſtitle him; for I perceive he is the chief cauſe of all the diſturbance and trouble that is in your Houſe, and not only ſo, but in part of all the Confuſions and Diviſions which are this day in the World; but which way this ſhall be done, I muſt refer you to that worthy Gentleman and underſtanding Servant of yours, Dr. Self-love, for in this Caſe I am not fit to give Counſel, being not brought up in Learning, but he and Sir Worldly Wiſeman, being both able Divines, will be ſure to find out a ready way to do it, ſo that you ſhall not be troubled with him any more; and this I will aſſure you, if I can be any ways helpful to them in the buſineſs, I will be at your Command as long as you pleaſe to entertain me.
Dr. Self-love and Sir Worldly Wiſeman being at hand, Riches called for them, to whom he addreſſed himſelf after this manner.
Riches.
Gentlemen, you having both great Learning and Experience in the Laws, both Divine and Humane, I pray be pleaſed to give me a little of your Counſel, my Caſe is this: There is one who calls himſelf True Godlineſs, at my Door, and preſſes hard for Entertainment, but by means of a Deſcription I have lately had of his Manners and Attendance, I perceive it will be dangerous at this time for me to receive him, or ſhew him the leaſt kindneſs. But I having a troubleſome Steward in Houſe, whom I cannot be rid of: Now, he here of late too much adheres to him, and is ready very often to give way to open the Door, ſo that by his means and one Mr. Fearful, a Timorous Fellow, whom he ſtirs up, I have of late had but very little quiet: Now, what will you adviſe me to do in this ſad Condition?
Dr. Self-love.
You muſt not give way to him, for I know him well enough, his Name is Conſcience. Sir, if you follow his Dictates and embrace this Godlineſs, you will be undone, and your Wife and Children ſoon will be brought to a piece of Bread, notwithſtanding your great Eſtate: But alas, he is grown Old, and is in his Dotage, and for want of good Eye-ſight errs exceedingly; nay, is ſo erroneous, that you do well to adviſe with us; come, doubt not but we ſhall inform him better. Sir, your great fault have been this (I perceive it clearly) you have read too much of late, why ſhould you concern your ſelf with the Bible, I think it had been well if it had never been Tranſlated into our Mother Tongue, this hath given him Opportunity to diſturb your Mind; come, give over this in the firſt place: The Cauſe, you know, of a Diſtemper muſt be firſt removed, or no effectual Cure can be expected; 'tis enough for you to mind your Secular Affairs, things of Religion belong to Religious Men; and when Conſcience for any Sin gripes you, divert your ſelf amongſt the brave Heroes you uſed to keep Company with, get to the Tavern, or to ſome Play-Houſe, but be ſure at no time you read any Book beſides your Books of Accompts, and Romances, or ſuch like: And for Religion, can any ſuit better with you than the Old Roman Catholick Religion? And it may come into Faſhion again too for all this. I do not ſay you ſhould not be Religious at all, no, God forbid I ſhould give you ſuch Counſel, but there is no need to entertain ſtrict Godlineſs, becauſe you may be ſaved without it, elſe Lord, what will become of the greateſt part of the World! go to Church and hear Prayers, but be ſure forbear to go to ſuch Churches, where any bawling Preacher endeavours to reach your Conſcience, but be ſure what times ſo ever happen, do not expoſe your ſelf to ſuffer any thing for Religion; you muſt do whatſoever your ſuperiours require. Can any man perſwade me his ſoul cannot be ſaved, unleſs he venture the loſs of his Eſtate, and ſo bring diſtreſs and ruine upon his body; is not each man to provide for his Family; and he that doth it not, is worſe than an Infidel, and hath denied the Faith.
Sir Worldly Wiſeman.
Mr. Riches, the counſel which my Brother hath given is very good, be ſure you are never led by the dictates of your Steward Conſcience, to expoſe your ſelf to any loſs or danger for Religion, you hear you may be, nay ought to be Religious; and what is Religion, but to live an honeſt and ſober life, to fear God, honour the King, ſay our Prayers, and pay our Debts. But the truth is, would it be amiſs if you did adhere to the good old Religion, that Religion which, your Fore-fathers before Luther's time were of, for you having ſtore of Money may have a pardon there at any time for all your ſins. But I will leave you to your liberty, becauſe I remember 'tis dangerous to perſwade any to cleave to that Religion. But I have juſt now thought of a way that will do, you having a great Eſtate, you ſhall get another Servant into' your Houſe; pray keep a Reader in your Family this done, you will find all will be well, and you will hear no more complaints from within nor without, for you will be taken by all your Servants, and others too, for a godly man.
Riches
Having thanked them for their good Counſel, with a great deal of joy, retires himſelf, being very well ſatisfied with the advice Dr. Self-love and Sir Worldly Wiſeman had given him. and indeed this is the miſery of moſt rich men, (viz.) if they lie under any convictions of ſin, from that little light Conſcience hath at any time got, then preſently (being ſtirr'd up thereto by Covetouſneſs) they conſult with fleſh and blood, and then Dr. Self-love and Sir Worldly Wiſeman are their great Counſellers. But to proceed, Riches got now a Reader, and inſtead of opening to True Godlineſs, he opens to counterfeit Godlineſs, *Papiſtry.which was occaſioned through Ignorance, and thoſe other fooliſh Counſellers he hearkened to. Now, this Reader, as it appears, proved a ſad Fellow, for though he was a Scholar, being brought up in ſome Foreign Univerſity, yet he never car'd to read the Bible, but (as ſome ſay, would now and then curſe it) lov'd to read Romances and Song Books. But poor Conſcience being ſtifled, in a little time he gave content to the whole Family, in that he could mumble over a few Prayers out of a Book. And that in rhe ſecond place, he could Bowl, drink Healths, be Drunk, and cry God damn him with any of them; and there was indeed never a one in all the Family, that hated True Godlineſs more than he, for he made ſongs of him and ſcoffed, jeered and derided him continually, and made himſelf and others merry with his mean, low and diſtreſſed condition, and alſo ſtirr'd up all the Neighbourhood, to find fault, and quarrel with all thoſe who were friends and true lovers of him.
Godlineſs
now perceived he was like to have but cool Entertainment at this Houſe, having waited at Riches Gate till his patience was almoſt worn out. began to think of a removal, and to Travel to ſome other place; but before he took his final farewel, he was reſolved to ſpeak his mind freely to him, thereby to leave him without any kind of excuſe whatſoever, and therefore addreſt himſelf to him after this manner, being at door ready to depart.
Godli.
Well Riches, I ſee now very plainly, you did but flatter me when you began to hearken to your poor Steward Conſcience, in order to the letting me into your Houſe; for evident it is, you are grown far worſe than before, and have blinded his eyes by entertaining another, who calls himſelf by my name inſtead of me, but before I do depart, I will ſhew you the great danger you are in; and the cauſe of it, the truth is, you have got ſuch a Crew of loſe, baſe and deceitful Servants, that they will utterly undo you, and bring upon you the eternal ruine of your poor ſoul, which I deſign'd by my coming to you, to ſave and make happy for ever; for indeed (whether you will believe it or no) there was never any who entertained theſe graceleſs Villains and enemies of God, but were for ever ruin'd by them at laſt; nay, and not only eternally hereafter in the World to come, but many times externally here in this World; therefore I adviſe you to do what you can to get rid of them, and I will help you to far better Servants in their ſtead. For firſt of all, can you think it will be ſafe for you to keep Preſumption ſtill in your Houſe, ſince there is ſcarce a more deceitful and bloody Wretch in the World; how many thouſands of poor ſouls hath he impudently deſtroy'd, by cauſing them to preſume on the mercy of God, and the death of Chriſt, and yet live in Sin, Pride and Covetouſneſs, and in a vile manner, hating and contemning me, that is to ſay True Godlineſs. Doth not God ſay it is harder for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; and yet you are perſwaded by him to think it is an eaſie thing; and doth not the Scripture ſay, Except your righteouſneſs do exceed the righteouſneſs of the Scribes and Phariſees, ye ſhall in no wiſe enter into the Kingdom of God. *Mat. 5.20.And yet he tells you that by doing a few good deeds, or by giving a little of your great abundance to the Poor, your ſtate is good enough; whereas many of the Phariſees did, as to acts of Charity, exceedingly out-do you; nay doth not St. Paul ſay, Though he gave all his goods to feed the Poor, and his Body to be burned, yet without Charity (that is to ſay, true love to God and Godlineſs) he was nothing *Mat. 5.20; and yet you,1 Cor. 13.3. though you ſlight and contem God and Godlineſs, are taught to preſume on God's Mercy, who hath notwithſtanding poſitively ſaid concerning you, and ſuch as you are; He that made them, will not ſave them; and he that form'd them, will ſhew them no favour, Iſa. 27.11.
And then as touching your Servant Ʋnbelief, he is ſuch a bloody and devouring Monſter, that he hath ſent Millions to Hell, by hindring them from believing what God hath ſaid in his Word, touching his Grace and Clemency to the truly penitent, and of his wroth and vengeance to the Impenitent and unbelieving Soul; he will not ſuffer you to believe nor give credit to that word, If any man loves the World, the love of the Father is not in him, 1 John 1.15. Nor to that word neither, Except a man be born again he cannot ſee the Kingdom of God, John 3.3. And he that believes not ſhall be damned, Mark 16.16. And many like dreadful Sentences, which he will not ſuffer you to regard, nor give the leaſt credit to; and thus he teaches you to make God a Lyar, for he hath ſaid, you ſhall without Repentance be damned and periſh in your ſins, but he ſays, ye ſhall be ſaved though ye live in your ſins.
Thirdly, as to what Ignorance ſays of getting Pardon of Sins for a piece of Money, by ſending for a Popiſh Prieſt, he deſerves to be cheated of his Soul that will hearken to ſuch a blind Sot; who can forgive Sin but God? Shall any believe that Pardon, which is the gift of God, can be bought with Money: Sure his Holineſs never learn'd this Doctrine of St. Peter, whoſe Succeſſor he ſays he is, for St. Peter ſaid to ſuch a one as thou art, Thy money periſh with thee, Acts 8.20.
Fourthly, As concerning Pride, whom you entertain and hug in your boſom as a ſweet and beloved Friend, he hath been the ruine of many Souls likewiſe; nay, and not only Men, but Angels alſo, for 'tis thought he was the principal Agent who wrought their eternal deſtruction, and from Heaven caſt them down to Hell, and of Angels of Light made them Devils. But, Sir, pray remember that word, Pride goes before Deſtruction, and a haughty Spirit before a Fall. What became of the great King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, for entertaining this Fellow, was it not Pride that brought him down with a vengeance, and turned him a grazing to eat ſtraw like Oxen, Dan. 3.4. Moreover, what became of Herod the Great, who was ſo fond of this Companion? Did he not bring God's heavy wrath upon him in ſuch a fearful manner, that a bleſſed Angel was ſent to ſmite him with Death immediately, and he was eaten of Worms, Acts 12.23. Have you not read, that the day cometh which ſhall burn as an Oven, and all the proud, and all that do wickedly ſhall be ſtubble, Mal. 4.1. This haughty Villain, Pride, is one of thoſe ſeven things, as Solomon ſhews which God hates, Prov. 6.16. If you will not, Riches, be perſwaded from hence to turn him out of your Houſe, even take what will follow.
Fifthly, Vain-hope I know is one that hath kept up your ſpirits, and ſpoke peace to you all along, but he is fitly ſo called, for he will leave you like a deceitful, falſe-hearted, and treacherous Friend, when you come to fall into diſtreſs. You hope to be ſaved (and ſo did many thouſands that are now in Hell) but alas, what ground have you to build your hope upon? The Hypocrites hope ſhall periſh, whoſe hope ſhall be cut off; and whoſe trust ſhall be as a Spiders Web, Job 18.13, 14.
Ah, Sir, what will your hope avail you though you have gain'd the World, when God taketh away your Soul? Job 27.8.
Sixthly, and Laſtly, as touching your ſweet Darling Covetouſneſs, he is made up with Idolatry, and what can be more deteſtable to Jehovah? ſo long as you Entertain and love him you adore an Idol; he is indeed the Ring-leader to almoſt all manner of Wickedneſs; nay, there is ſcarcely a viler and more abominable Wretch breathing on Gods Earth, therefore juſtly called, The Root of all Evil. *1 Tim. 6.10.he hath taught many to play the Thief, others to commit Treaſon, and others to Murther Innocents for their Inheritance; he is guilty of Bribery, Ʋſary, Extorttion, and Oppreſſion: It was he as made poor Achan loſe his ſweet Life, he alſo contrived the death of Naboth and his Sons; and more than all, he tempted Judas to Sell, and baſely to betray my dear Lord and Maſter, Jeſus Chriſt, for Thirty pieces of Silver: Do not blame me therefore if I bear ſo hard againſt him; moreover, I can ſcarcely ever get one Foot, into any rich mans Houſe through his means; 'tis he and his Companions who keep me out, he hath through his hard-heartedneſs, almoſt famiſhed to death all the Poor, both in City and Countrey, and hath alſo of late very near betrayed my whole intereſt that I have in the world into the Enemies hands: he hath alſo grievouſly corrupted many who profeſs kindneſs to me by incumbring their minds ſo with the Affairs of this Life, that they cannot find the way to the Church; when they ſhould be hearing of God's Word; he forces them to abide in their Shops, nor will he ſuffer many of them to take a little time to pray in their Families, nor in their Cloſets: He has alſo expoſed many of my poor Miniſters to many great ſtraits and neceſſities, by which means their heads have been ſo filled with the cares of this Life, that they have been out of capacity to preach the Goſpel as they ought to preach it, nor can they get ſuch helps that are neceſſary, and all long of him: Nay, he hath almoſt undone every Nation, Kingdom and Commonwealth; Firſt, by corrupting the Law, and ſubverting Juſtice, cauſing Judges to judg for Reward, and Lawyers to plead more for Fees than Equity. And then ſecondly, by ſpoiling Commerce, for he hath Monopolized Trades and Commodities ſo into his own hands, and inhanced the prizes of things, that many men have been undone by him. I cann't, Sir, reckon up all his horrible Crimes, and is this he you ſo dearly love, and muſt I be ſlighted and diſregarded by you through love you bear to him? Alas, Sir, he will bring your Soul, if you follow him to deſtruction: Pray what became of Achan who harboured him (mentioned before) alſo what became of Ananias and Sapphira, whom he forced to tell a lie to the Holy Ghoſt? Acts 5.1, 2, 3, 4. Who was it that cauſed the Young Man in the Goſpel to fall ſhort of Heaven, and to go away from Jeſus Chriſt very ſorrowful, and Demas to turn Apoſtate, and to embrace this preſent evil World; was it not Coveetouſneſs? Ah, Sir, take heed of this abominable Miſcreant, for tho' ſome wicked ones of the Earth may bleſs you, yet he cauſed God to hate you. See what David ſaith, The Wicked boaſteth of his hearts deſire, and bleſſeth the Covetous whom the Lord abhorreth, Pſal. 10.3. Conſider of theſe things, and be perſwaded to put away all theſe deceitful and Hell-bred Companions, which you have a long time nouriſhed in your Houſe, or it will be worſe with you, I do aſſure you. O that you would now at laſt, before I leave you, hearken to my Counſel, and receive me into your Houſe, and renounce that Monſter you have lately embrac'd, who calls himſelf by my Name! What do you ſay Riches?
Rich.
Do you think I am ſuch a Fool to give Entertainment to you, and loſe all my great Honour and Credit amongſt the brave Heroes of the Earth?
Godli.
Why, Sir, is not the Honour that comes from God better than all the vain honour poor mortals can give you; you have I am ſure, a rare Example of one to follow in this great Caſe: Remember Moſes, and the Renowned Galeacius the famous Marqueſs of Italy, he was not of your mind: Some rich and noble Men have for my ſake denied themſelves of all the glory of this World, and accounted the Reproaches of Chriſt greater Riches than Earthly Honours and Pleaſures of Sin which are but for a ſeaſon.
Rich.
If others were ſuch Fools to diſgrace and undo themſelves, what is that to me, I know what I have to do.
Godli.
Sir, I perceive your condition is miſerable, for you ſeem to be hardened, and whilſt you have had gracious means afforded you to bring you to Repentance, you are grown worſe and worſe; however, let me tell you, if you die before you have embraced and received me into your Houſe, you will periſh in your ſins, and Hell will be your Portion for ever; thoſe who reject me, reject God and Jeſus Chriſt alſo, and to tell you the truth, all this time that I have been at your door, the Lord Jeſus hath ſtood waiting at your door with me likewiſe.
Rich.
Leave your Canting, you are a bold and impudent piece; do you begin to threaten me? Am I not my own Maſter? Would you Lord it over me? I perceive you what you aim at, you would have me entertain you, that ſo your poor deſpiſed Off-ſpring might have a good fleece out of me. I could find in in my heart to be revenged on you, and ſet all the Rabble of the Town upon you, Sirrah, I have conſidered of the buſineſs, and have had advice what to do from two able Counſellors, Dr. Self-love, and Sir Worldly Wiſeman.
Godli.
Sir, St. Paul did not take advice of thoſe two ſhallow, depraved, degraded, diſherited Counſellors, he conſulted not with fleſh and bloud.
Rich.
Will you not leave your prating, you would undo me, you are called Godlideſs, but that is not your Name, you are, I underſtand, a factious Fellow, and your Name is Stubbornneſs, alias Singularity, alias Sedition, one may know what you are by the many Names you go by; know ye therefore, Friend, that I have received the true Godlineſs already, and him I will keep, he is indeed an honourale Perſon, one whom great men love, and is in favour with the Princes of the Earth: But as for you, I ſee no encouragement for any body to reſpect you, for as moſt People in all Nations ſpeak againſt you, and hate you, ſo you would, I know, ſoon ſpoil all my joyes, and bring nothing but ſorrow and fear along with you, ſhould I entertain you; I ſhould not ſo much as tell a lie for my advantage, but you would threaten me with Hell and Damnation, nor go to the Tavern, and by chance be drunk▪ and let now and then an Oath flye, but you would ſtir up my Steward, Conſcience, to fall upon me, and beat me unmercifully (but I praiſe God I am rid of him) nay, and if I ſhould not give to the poor according to your humour, I ſhould ſoon be cenſured and condemned by you as a wicked Perſon, yea, and every ſweet, pleaſant, and beloved Luſt, which I value as my Life, you ſay, muſt be mortified; no, my deareſt Darling muſt not be ſpared: I perceive what a fool you would make me, be gone from my door, or I will call one of my ſervants who ſhall drive you out of the Town; his Name is Malice, alias Envy, before whom you will not be able to ſtand; and upon this he ſtruck at him with all his might, which did no ſooner his Chaplain, Mr. Reader, perceive, but he came into his aſſiſtance with cruel rage, being ſtirred up by Envy, and fell upon Godlineſs in a moſt baſe and inhumane manner, calling him all the vileſt Names he could deviſe, enough to make any ignorant and unthinking man conclude True Holideſs was as hateful a companion as any in the world, and before all things to be eſchewed and diſcountenanced. His Chaplain alſo would needs challenge to diſpute withhim, and confute Godlineſs by Scripture, producing that Text, be not righteous overmuch, neither make thy ſelf overwiſe; why ſhouldeſt thou deſtroy thy ſelf? Eccl. 7.16. He thought with this one Weapon to have knock'd True Godlineſs down, and have ſpoiled his Travelling for ever.
But he ſoon anſwered and ſaid, That no man could be truly righteous overmuch, nor have too much of that pure wiſdom that is from above; but that a man might, he told him, under pretence of Righteouſneſs, do more than God required of him, and ſo be righteous overmuch (as the Papiſts and others are) and thereby deſtroy himſelf; ſith will-worſhip was of ſuch an abominable nature; and that a man alſo might be overwiſe in his own conceit.
At this anſwer the Diſpute ended; and Riches perceived his Chaplain was worſted, envied True Godlineſs much more, and raiſed all the Rabble of the Town upon him; amongſt which were theſe following (viz.) Pride, Ignorance, Wilful, Hate-good, Toſs-pot, Outſides, Riot, Waſtful, Hard-Heart, Belly-God, Giddy-head, Pickthank, Rob-Saint, and more of ſuch like Ruſtical and ill-bred Fellows; and moreover, he ſwore if he would not be gone the ſooner, he would ſend for the two Conſtables, Oppreſſion and Cruelty to lay him faſt enough; at which poor Godlineſs was fain to get away and hide himſelf, or elſe for certain he had been knock'd ot'h' head, or baſely put to death; but he being out of their reach, by the providence of God, eſcaped without any hurt to himſelf, but many of his poor friends were ſadly abuſed, who-ſtood up to ſpake on his behalf, and put into Priſon. Godlineſs being thus forc'd to leave Riches Door, Vice and Ʋngodlineſs took the full poſſeſſion of his *HeartHouſe; and Godlineſs went on his way, wandring up and down to look entertainment, with a ſad heart, being grieved to ſee how he had hitherto been ſlighted and traiterouſly abuſed, notwithſtanding his high Birth, Noble Deſcent and Pedigree.
Doth Godlineſs thus wander to and fro,
For want of Friends muſt he a begging go?
'Tis not to ſeek relief, as if that he
Himſelf was poor, and in neceſſity;
But 'tis to make poor Mortals happy, who
By Sin are brought to Sorrow, Grief and Woe:
But Riches him rejects with hate and ſcorn,
Though by Chriſt ſent, a Prince and Noble born:
Riches are good when ſanctifi'd they are,
But otherwiſe a Curſe, a Plague, a Snare;
Rich men do much miſtake; who only meaſure
True Happineſs by having worldly Treaſure.
An Angel hath no Gold, nor Flocks, nor Land,
And yet is mighty rich, his wealth doth ſtand
In better things; although the juſt man's ſtore
Is ſmall, he hath enough, a ruſh for more;
God doth Himſelf inſtead of Wealth impart
Ʋnto that Child of his: O covetous Heart!
What wouldſt have more? or can there be
Ought elſe, dear Soul, than what's poſſeſt by thee?
Happy's the poor in whom the Lord doth dwell;
The Rich by craving all, get nought but Hell.
Be not in love with Gold, a Golden Purſe
Without a part in God, is but a Curſe.
Give me not Riches, Lord! nor make me poor;
Since Riches againſt thee does ſhut his Door.