Chapter 3: Godliness at the Door of Riches

Showing how Godliness having received a commission to travel, and visit the children of men, comes to a certain town on the confines of Babylon, where one Riches dwelt, and of his usage and evil ill-treatment 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, and to the end that they might have the knowledge of this blessed Saviour, he has sent the Gospel among them, but in his eternal wisdom has so decreed and ordained it, that no man should have any saving benefit by this glorious Saviour but he who does receive, entertain, and kindly embrace True Godliness whenever 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 has 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 limited to the small confines of [reconstructed: Jewry], nor to travel 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, and to visit the rich and poor, 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 always with him; neither did he come to 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 (Hebrews 7:25; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15). 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 knocked very hard and often before any within would give an answer, Riches being full of business, for either he was telling of his money, or casting up his accounts, to see what his neighbors owed him, or else consulting new projects to increase his store, for I perceive he is a person never satisfied; besides the times being very perilous, his mind was filled with perplexing and vexatious thoughts, how to save and keep what he had already gotten; so that he had no leisure 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 (namely) he perceived that no sooner than some other guests came to his door (who were persons much inferior, 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 ill-bred servants in his house, that they clapped to the door, so that he could not get so much as one foot in (John 2:16). Now, the guests he so readily opened to, were (as I take them) these following (namely) the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These he took much delight in, and 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 does 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 little reason to slight, neglect and despise 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, Unbelief, Ignorance, Malice, Vain-hope, and Covetousness, etc. 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 inquired who was the cause of it; at last they understood it was Mr. Fearful, they then presently joined together to fall upon Fearful, and turn him out of the house. Presumption struck the first blow, and spoke also to this purpose.

Presumption: 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, wherein he has placed his long confidence, and now to force him to incline to open to True Godliness, who is our utter enemy? Is he not an honest man? What can you charge him with? What cause or ground is there for this disturbance? Has 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?

Fearful: Truly, Sir, I seeing him very sick, thought he might die.

Presumption: You 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 incline 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 meal 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.: It was the Steward of the House, who keeps the records, or an account 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; in fact, 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 heroic spirit that always attends riches, to be troubled about sin, or to give way to a bawling conscience, and this ill-bred fellow Fearful — I hate the thoughts of it; this is the way to bring him to reproach and shame among his neighbors, and to make great men to laugh at him and despise 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 unwelcome and hateful traveler True Godliness should be let in, who would beguile my prince of his right.

Unbelief: Alas, sirs, there is no danger; I agree with my friend and dearest brother Presumption, that his condition is good enough, let Conscience say what he will (for if there is 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, in fact and directly to Heaven without calling in at Purgatory.

Vain-hope: I am of the mind with my brother Unbelief; and it was 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 inclines to embrace this our enemy, yet you will find he will not be regarded before long. Pray let us all agree at present to stir up Riches's eldest son, whose name is Honor, 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 favor with our master's eldest son, and his own child too — after a short time thus it fell out, Riches being recovered, he consulted with Worldly Honor, 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 you believe that receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God alone (John 5:44). Now, Pride, Ambition and Honor, being all three the natural offspring 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 stifled, Fearful was forced to flee and hide himself in some hole till another season. But Godliness remained at his door for a long time, even till he grew 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 prevailed, had not a cursed servant of Riches, who, I take, was his purse-keeper, bestirred himself, whose name was Covetousness, an implacable enemy to True Godliness, who when he perceived Godliness was like to meet with some seeming entertainment, spoke 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 turned out; in fact, 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 it is very destructive to your interest.

Riches.: What doctrine is that, pray tell, inform me, for I have a very good esteem for you; and in truth, for a long time have been sensible of the gainful service you have done me, for when I kept my old servant Prodigality to be my purse-keeper, I could never thrive; but since I met with you, I have increased my substance exceedingly.

Covet.: Why, Sir, then I will tell you, he teaches riches to sell all that he has, 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, etc. Sir, in a word, if you open to this Godliness, you will be undone, for though you are not put upon the selling all you have presently, yet you will be forced 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; indeed, 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 widows, who must be relieved; and who should do it, he will say, but riches. Indeed, it is a thousand to one if he does not put you to build a hospital for them. Besides, when you have done this, he will not let you rest, but will tell you, whenever Christ in his members is sick, you must visit them; and when hungry, feed them; when naked, clothe 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 while you have enough to supply their necessity, and if you do, he will tell you, Go you 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. Indeed, Sir, he positively affirms, you ought not only to give to them just so much as will supply their necessities but that it is 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 (Titus 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 has always been, that he has many great and potent enemies, so that they who receive and entertain him have been exposed to great troubles and persecutions in the world. Indeed, 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. Yes, such laws that will, if prosecuted, soon bring you to beggary; so that from the whole, you may perceive, it will not be for your interest to open to him.

Riches.: I must confess you have said enough to make me [reconstructed: set forever] 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 can't be rid of let me do what I can) to terrify me with the thoughts of hell and damnation, for without holiness (I must confess I have read) no man shall see the Lord; and it is 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 [reconstructed: stifle] 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, Doctor 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. Doctor 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 human, 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 show 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 eyesight errs exceedingly; indeed, is so erroneous, that you do well to advise with us; come, doubt not but we shall inform him better. Sir, your great fault has been this (I perceive it clearly) you have read too much of late, why should you concern yourself with the Bible, I think it had been well if it had never been translated into our mother tongue, this has 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; it is enough for you to mind your secular affairs, things of religion belong to religious men; and when Conscience for any sin gripes you, divert yourself among 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 accounts, and romances, or such like. And for religion, can any suit better with you than the old Roman Catholic 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 endeavors to reach your Conscience, but be sure whatever times happen, do not expose yourself to suffer anything for religion; you must do whatever your superiors require. Can any man persuade me his soul cannot be saved, unless he venture the loss of his estate, and so bring distress and ruin upon his body; is not each man to provide for his family; and he that does it not, is worse than an infidel, and has denied the faith.

Sir Worldly Wiseman.: Mr. Riches, the counsel which my brother has given is very good, be sure you are never led by the dictates of your steward Conscience, to expose yourself to any loss or danger for religion, you hear you may be, indeed ought to be religious; and what is religion, but to live an honest and sober life, to fear God, honor 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 forefathers 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 it is dangerous to persuade 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, (namely) if they lie under any convictions of sin, from that little light Conscience has at any time got, then presently (being stirred up thereto by covetousness) they consult with flesh and blood, and then Dr. Self-love and Sir Worldly Wiseman are their great counselors. But to proceed, Riches got now a reader, and instead of opening to True Godliness, he opens to counterfeit godliness, which was occasioned through ignorance, and those other foolish counselors 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 cared to read the Bible, but (as some say, would now and then curse it) loved 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 the 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 stirred up all the neighborhood, 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. He began to think of a removal, and to travel to some other place; but before he took his final farewell, he was resolved to speak his mind freely to him, thereby to leave him without any kind of excuse whatever, and therefore addressed 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 show you the great danger you are in; and the cause of it, the truth is, you have got such a crew of loose, base and deceitful servants, that they will utterly undo you, and bring upon you the eternal ruin of your poor soul, which I designed by my coming to you, to save and make happy forever; for indeed (whether you will believe it or no) there was never any who entertained these graceless villains and enemies of God, but were forever ruined by them at last; indeed, 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 has he impudently destroyed, 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 despising me, that is to say True Godliness. Does not God say it is harder for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven; and yet you are persuaded by him to think it is an easy thing; and does not the Scripture say, "Except your righteousness do exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of God" (Matthew 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; indeed does not Saint 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 (1 Corinthians 13:3); and yet you, though you slight and despise God and Godliness, are taught to presume on God's mercy, who has notwithstanding positively said concerning you, and such as you are: "He that made them, will not save them; and he that formed them, will show them no favor" (Isaiah 27:11). And then as touching your servant Unbelief, he is such a bloody and devouring monster, that he has sent millions to hell, by hindering them from believing what God has said in his Word, touching his grace and clemency to the truly penitent, and of his wrath 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 2:15). 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 liar, for he has said, you shall without repentance be damned and perish in your sins, but he says, you shall be saved though you 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: surely his Holiness never learned this doctrine of Saint Peter, whose Successor he says he is, for Saint Peter said to such a one as you are, "Your money perish with you" (Acts 8:20). Fourthly, as concerning Pride, whom you entertain and hug in your bosom as a sweet and beloved friend, he has been the ruin of many souls likewise; indeed, and not only men, but angels also, for it is 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 (Daniel 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 comes which shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble (Malachi 4:1)? This haughty villain, Pride, is one of those seven things, as Solomon shows, which God hates (Proverbs 6:16). If you will not, Riches, be persuaded from here to turn him out of your house, even take what will follow. Fifthly, Vain-hope I know is one that has kept up your spirits, and spoken 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 hypocrite's hope shall perish, whose hope shall be cut off; and whose trust shall be as a spider's web" (Job 18:13-14). Ah, Sir, what will your hope avail you though you have gained the world, when God takes 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 ringleader to almost all manner of wickedness; indeed, there is scarcely a viler and more abominable wretch breathing on God's earth, therefore justly called, the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). He has taught many to play the thief, others to commit treason, and others to murder innocents for their inheritance; he is guilty of bribery, usury, extortion, and oppression: it was he that 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 man's house through his means; it is he and his companions who keep me out, he has through his hard-heartedness, almost famished to death all the poor, both in city and country, and has also of late very nearly betrayed my whole interest that I have in the world into the enemy's hands. He has also grievously corrupted many who profess kindness to me by encumbering 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 along on account of him. Indeed, he has almost undone every nation, kingdom and commonwealth; first, by corrupting the law, and subverting justice, causing judges to judge for reward, and lawyers to plead more for fees than equity. And then secondly, by spoiling commerce, for he has monopolized trades and commodities so into his own hands, and enhanced the prices of things, that many men have been undone by him. I cannot, 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 the love you bear to him? Alas, Sir, he will bring your soul, if you follow him, to destruction: pray what became of Achan who harbored him (mentioned before)? Also what became of Ananias and Sapphira, whom he forced to tell a lie to the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:1-4)? 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 Covetousness? Ah, Sir, take heed of this abominable miscreant, for though some wicked ones of the earth may bless you, yet he caused God to hate you. See what David says, "The wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and blesses the covetous whom the Lord abhors" (Psalm 10:3). Consider of these things, and be persuaded 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 embraced, 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 honor and credit among the brave heroes of the earth?

Godli.: Why, Sir, is not the honor that comes from God better than all the vain honor 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 honors 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 while 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 has 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 offspring might have a good fleece out of me. I could find 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 counselors, Doctor Self-love, and Sir Worldly Wiseman.

Godli.: Sir, Saint Paul did not take advice of those two shallow, depraved, degraded, disinherited counselors, he consulted not with flesh and blood.

Will you not leave your prating, you would undo me, you are called [reconstructed: Godliness], 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 you therefore, Friend, that I have received the true Godliness already, and him I will keep, he is indeed an honorable person, one whom great men love, and is in favor 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 joys, 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 fly, 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) in fact, and if I should not give to the poor according to your humor, I should soon be censured and condemned by you as a wicked person, indeed, 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 Godliness 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 with him, and confute Godliness by Scripture, producing that text, "be not righteous overmuch, neither make yourself overwise; why should you destroy yourself?" (Ecclesiastes 7:16). He thought with this one weapon to have knocked 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; since 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; among which were these following (namely) 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 knocked on the 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 speak on his behalf, and put into prison. Godliness being thus forced to leave Riches's door, Vice and Ungodliness took the full possession of his house; and Godliness went on his way, wandering up and down to look for entertainment, with a sad heart, being grieved to see how he had hitherto been slighted and treacherously abused, notwithstanding his high birth, noble descent and pedigree.

Does Godliness thus wander to and fro, for want of friends must he a begging go? It is not to seek relief, as if that he himself was poor, and in necessity; But it is 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 sanctified 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 has no gold, nor flocks, nor land, and yet is mighty rich, his wealth does stand in better things; although the just man's store is small, he has enough, a rush for more; God does Himself instead of wealth impart to that child of his: O covetous heart! What would you have more? or can there be anything else, dear soul, than what's possessed by you? Happy's the poor in whom the Lord does dwell; The rich by craving all, get nothing 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 you does shut his door.