Chapter 11: Godliness Finds Consideration

Showing how Godliness coming to one Thoughtful's House, found there his Friend Consideration, whom he had a long time sought for, also the great opposition Consideration encountered.

Godliness being not without hopes of finding Serious Consideration (for so sometimes he is called) in or near this place, chanced to knock (as you heard before) at a man's door, who was newly come to dwell in the Town Religion. Now this person formerly (as it appears) had been a very great Enemy to True Godliness, having lived a grievous loose and profuse Life, and like the poor Prodigal, wasted all his chiefest Substance. Godliness had not long knocked and called at his door, before he listened to him, and spoke within himself to this purpose; Who is this that is come to my door? Sure, said he, this is a voice different from any I ever heard in all my life; and he does not knock also as others use to do. At last he cried out, Who is there? who is it that is at my door? your Name Sir.

Godli.: Soul. Christ is at the door; and I his noble and renowned offspring True Godliness. Do you not remember that Word, Behold I stand at the door and knock, etc. (Revelation 3:20) Sir, now I will ask you the like question, pray what is your Name? I hope I am come to the right door. He told him his Name might very well be called loose and ungodly Prodigal; for (said he) I have until now lived a very wicked life; but some call me of late Thoughtful, because I am (blessed be God) newly come to myself, by thinking upon my latter end, and the evil of my former ways.

Godli.: But why do you choose to take up your dwelling in this Village now, when so many are going out? Thoughtful, Sir, 'tis because I hear it is the best Town in all the Country to secure a man from danger in evil times, provided I can but get a place in one of its strongholds in the heart of the Town; for I have heard there is no safe dwelling at the town's end, no nor anywhere in the Suburbs. Besides, I was told lately that Babylon, where I have dwelt until now of late, will suddenly be destroyed: I do it indeed to save my own Soul; I am Sir, desirous to find out (if it may be) where true peace, happiness and eternal felicity is to be had; for I see they are not to be found in those paths I formerly walked; I mean, in the ways of Riches, Honor, and the Pleasures of this World.

Godliness: I commend you, honest Thoughtful; you have done wisely, and like a considerate man; please let me come in and dwell with you, and you will find this poor town the safest and most secure place in these dangerous times, in all the world. Sir, I have wandered about a long time, travelling from place to place to seek for one whom I bear much good will to, but up to now I have not found him; his name is Consideration; and many things more he said to make him in love with True Godliness. Upon this, Consideration, who it seems was within, whispered Thoughtful in his ear, and said, This is he that can alone make you happy, if he be readily, sincerely and heartily embraced and entertained. Is it not good for you to muse upon the worth and excellent nature of your soul? You are made a man, and therefore for a nobler and higher end and employment (surely) than eating and drinking, sleeping and playing, and wholly to mind your trade and secular affairs, and to enjoy sensual pleasures (a happiness which beasts arrive at as well as you), for this glorious soul which lies in your bosom is capable of knowing God, and of enjoying union and communion with him for ever, so that all those who suffer the honors, profits and pleasures of this world to take up and engross their hearts, go astray, and err from the great end of their creation. Alas, there is nothing doubtless that can fill the desires of your soul, or be its chief good, but God himself. You have up to now suffered your affections and desires to run after whatever you could think might yield you true felicity; but it is evident there is nothing you can find here below that can satisfy your thirsty and ever-craving soul. Riches, which sometimes your heart has been so much set upon, cannot be your chief good, or chief happiness; for they are uncertain, fleeting, and variable things; and let a man have never so much of them, yet he is still craving and desiring more, so that it is as Solomon says, "He that desires silver shall not be satisfied with silver." Secondly, honors are of like nature; and besides their vanity, they depend on the minds, will and humors of men, who are changeable and inconstant. Thirdly, pleasures and voluptuousness — they are common (as I told you) with beasts as well as men, and also have annexed their sting and discontentment when they are past. Besides all this, Consideration, to induce him to open to True Godliness, bade him ask his soul where it was, what it was doing, and where it was going. First, he endeavored to show him where his soul now was, and made it out by the help of God's Word, that it was in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity, being under the law and curse of God, both in respect of original and actual sin — he having not yet closed with Christ, nor received True Godliness. Secondly, then as to what he was doing; he bade him see if he did not neglect that one thing needful. Have you, said Consideration, made religion your chief business since you came to live in this place? Have you not rather spent too much of your time about notions and airy speculations? Thirdly, where are you going? said he. Are you fit (being well prepared) to die? Are you going the way to heaven? Surely that cannot be, unless you receive True Godliness; for I have heard that he consists in a right faith, as well as in a holy life. Oh, what cost, labor, pains, means, motives and arguments has God used to make men sensible of the everlasting interest of their souls, and to engage them to a serious preparation for another world! And this serious preparation must necessarily be a thorough work of regeneration, faith and spotless conversation; for the nature of the means (says he) must ever be suitable and agreeable to the nature of the end. And heaven being a holy place, nothing but perfect holiness reigning there, so it was impossible to enter into it hereafter, without a considerable progress being made in holiness here; and that it was not to be thought a man could reach the highest step of a ladder without ascending the lowest first. Who (said he) ever hoped for a crop of corn without sowing any, or expected to reap wheat, and sowed nothing but tares? He laid also before him the nature and holiness of God, his infinite hatred of sin, and great severity against all unbelieving and impenitent souls, together with the perfect knowledge he had of the hearts, thoughts and ways of the children of men; together with his dreadful judgments, commands, threats, and precious promises. He brought to his mind also the evil of sin, showing him what an abominable thing it was for men to seek to please, obey, and do the will of the devil, and offend, disobey, and cross the will of God. Indeed he began to speak of the excellence of True Godliness also, and what he should gain by embracing him, and letting Christ, and the Spirit of Christ, Christ and the grace of Christ, Christ and True Godliness reign in his heart. Indeed, he had so much to say, that had he not been opposed and basely obstructed (with some other help) Thoughtful had presently opened the door to True Godliness. But alas, on a sudden there was great disturbance in the house, and poor Consideration went to the walls, and was almost utterly expelled from his tabernacle. Now the enemies he met with were these: Difficulty, Sloth, Deficiency, Security, Danger, Worldly Cares, and Carnal Company. These and many other enemies appeared to obstruct and hinder Consideration about this great and urgent business of opening to True Godliness. First, Difficulty spoke after this manner: Sir, do not trouble yourself to study to find out these great mysteries of religion and godliness; for it is a work too hard and difficult for you to understand; there is nothing in the world that is more abstruse and mysterious; therefore to muse upon them would be lost labor. Sloth told him it was a laborious and toilsome work, and it would be great wearisomeness to him, if the difficulty did not make it impossible. Deficiency said he was a man of a weak understanding, and those things were matters for the learned and most knowing men of all to study; in fact, many of them too, notwithstanding all their profound learning, proficiency and skill in the languages, could hardly attain to the right knowledge of them. Security endeavored to make it appear his condition was very good and safe now, and that he had religion and godliness enough, without troubling himself further, and that he exceeded in holiness many men that had lived long in that town. Moreover he told him that he had followed the counsel of Consideration too much already. Danger spoke to several things: first, that to give place to him would let in his enemy Melancholy, which might endanger his life. Do you not see (says he) how uncomfortable this fellow Consideration has made many brave men, causing them by thinking upon their latter ends, to hang down their heads like a bulrush, fold their arms, and spend their days in tears and weeping? Hearken not to him, for he will certainly infuse sad thoughts into your mind, and give you nothing but gall and vinegar to drink. Second, he said moreover, Consideration had made many men go beside themselves; and if he did adhere to him about this affair, he would be distracted. Third, he insinuated also, that if he did seriously muse upon this matter, or give place to Consideration, so that Godliness came to be let in, he would be undone, and utterly ruined, the times were such. Worldly Cares proved as great an enemy to Consideration as any of them; for he could not seriously muse or think upon eternity, or the present condition his poor soul was in; he was so hurried in his mind about the affairs of this life. Indeed, no sooner at any season that he set himself to ruminate or ponder them in his mind, but Worldly Cares would expel and drive such thoughts away. Old companions, and carnal company did greatly abuse Consideration, by endeavoring to make him out of love with a virtuous life. These labored to fawn him into misery, and tickle him into an eternity of torment; they turned religion and godliness into a jest, and made the precepts of the gospel matter for raillery, and told him that those men that seemed most serious were the most seditious, and that their profession savored of nothing but of pride, singularity and hypocrisy. Now after they had spoken their pleasure, and almost silenced — indeed, quite routed — poor Consideration; his mind was so filled and hurried about many things; which Godliness, though not yet let in, overheard, and presently took them all up, and answered them one by one. And first, he spoke to this purpose: Honest Thoughtful, I would not have you to be discouraged by those ill-bred fellows you have within to slight poor Consideration; for he is your very good friend, and as able a counselor as most in this town. Moreover, very great inconveniences also have always followed those who have unadvisedly gone about to slight and contemn him. Indeed, I must tell you, most of all those great miseries and heavy judgments that have befallen nations, cities, towns, churches, and particular souls, has been occasioned through their great neglect to hearken to Consideration. This was the cause of Israel's ruin of old: God by his merciful providence sent to them by his prophets, to advertise and warn them of their perilous estate and condition by reason of their sins, and not only told them of their imminent danger thereby, but also revealed the true causes thereof, and how they might easily provide remedies for the prevention of it; but they refused to lay it to heart, or give way to Consideration about it, which made Jehovah to bewail their future misery after this manner: "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!" Among other causes of their dismal calamities, none is more general, or often alleged than the lack of Consideration; and it is through this means, as by a common snare and deceit of the adversary, most men fall into sin, and reject me, and are held also perpetually in Satan's bonds, to their destruction and perdition. Men go on in their abominable lusts, pride, oppression, excess of riot, drunkenness, and all manner of debauchery, without considering what the end of these things will be. "Woe to them (says the Lord) that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, and continue until night till wine inflame them; and the harp and viol, the tabret and pipe, and wine are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands." Their cursed lusts, and beastly sensuality brought them to neglect Consideration, and lack of consideration brought them to the pit side or brink of hell. "Propterea captivus ductus est populus meus, quia non habuit scientiam," says God in the same place, by the prophet; therefore, and for this cause is my people led away captive, etc., for they have no knowledge, no understanding of the time to come, no consideration of their danger. He that will not lend an ear to Consideration renders himself little better than a brute; and what follows this folly and madness? "Therefore (says the Holy Spirit) hell has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure, and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoices shall descend into it." "A brutish man does not know, neither does a fool understand this, when the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish: it is that they should be destroyed for ever." "The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people does not consider." Negligence, carelessness, ignorance, and want of consideration, as it brought Jerusalem down wonderfully, so it has been the bane and common perdition of unthinking and wretched man from time to time, and will be yours, if you hearken to these evil enemies of your soul, and suffer Consideration to be expelled from your tabernacle. Why at this day are there so many people who drink up iniquity as the fish drinks water? That commit all manner of sin, all outrages, all injustice, all turpitude, treading down the poor, and contemning me, True Godliness, without remorse of conscience, or dread of God's wrath and fearful vengeance that does pursue them; but for the lack of consideration of that which is likely to be their reward and punishment for all their abominable doings in the end? "Thus says the Lord, Consider your ways; consider your doings." "Consider this, you that forget God, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you." But they will not consider it, nor lay it to heart; they will not know in this their day the things that belong to their peace, but inconsiderately put the evil day far away, and harden their hearts against God, provoking him to draw his sword, and cause his hand to take hold of judgment. For nothing doubtless can be more intolerable in the presence of the Almighty than this iniquity; since he has published his law, declared his pleasure against ungodliness, charging all to bear it in their minds, to ponder it in their hearts, to study and meditate upon it both day and night, at home and abroad, when they rise up, and when they lie down, to make it their cogitation and rumination continually, etc. And oh, that men should ever, notwithstanding all this, contemn it, and make it no part of their thoughts, but rather flee the knowledge thereof. God makes his complaint and denounces judgment, but no man (as the prophet Jeremiah shows) will enter into consideration, nor mind why the land mourns; none cry out, "What have I done?" All men, alas, are set upon their own courses, and run on in the same with as great vehemency and fierce obstinacy as a fierce armed horse into the battle, when he hears the trumpet sound. Come, Thoughtful, Consideration, if you adhere to him, will teach you to know God and yourself, and to find out the miserable condition you and all men are in by nature. He is the key that opens the door for me to enter the innermost room of your heart; though it is true, he cannot open it without help. Indeed furthermore, he is the looking glass, or rather the very eye of your soul, whereby you may view yourself, and see what a condition your soul is in. Hereby you may spy your debts, your danger, your duties, your defects, your safety, the course you do follow, the company you do keep; finally the place and end to which you draw. Indeed he will give you a view of all God's proceedings and dealings with men ever since the creation of the world, the reason why God sent his Son, his gospel, his Spirit, his servants, and takes so much pains to bring men to salvation. Indeed, and you also by his help may find that all the means God uses to bring you to a true sight and sense of sin and wrath, and to recover you out of your fallen estate, will prove vain and ineffectual to you. Let therefore the consideration of the danger you may escape through hearkening to him on the one hand, and the great advantage you may receive on the other, together with the absolute necessity of nourishing and cherishing him, and standing up for him — if you would be happy — engage you not to be discouraged to incline to him, nor regard what any speak against him, for he will cause you to hear glad tidings. Indeed, and be in part an instrument to let me in; which if you do, I will bring you acquainted with God and Jesus Christ, indeed help you to a room in his heart, and lead you into union and communion with him, and give you much glorious light. Indeed, and help you to pardon of sin, peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Spirit, and make you a son of God, give you a place in the heavenly family, feed you with the bread of life, clothe you with glorious robes, which sparkle like diamonds. Indeed, make you rich — rich in faith, in knowledge, in experiences, truly rich, always rich, eternally rich. Indeed, and set a crown of glory upon your head, make you an heir of heaven and earth; your renown also hereby will be great, you shall have angels to guard you, Christ to serve you, God to honor you. O love me, who would lead you into Christ's bosom, and cause you to sit in heavenly places, make you to triumph with seraphim, and sit down with your glorified Redeemer upon the throne of God for evermore. Is it possible such a friend should fare no better than my great Master, have no place where to lay his head? Is it possible men should deal with me and my poor friend Consideration as the inhabitants of Sodom did deal with the three heavenly messengers that entered into Lot's house, namely, quarrel with us, abuse us, and offer violence to us, show their spite against us, who seek to preserve them from being consumed? And who, while we are with them, stay the hand of heaven from falling upon them, the hand of the destroying angel, that they perish not, and endeavor to make them for ever happy, possessing all true felicity, and free them from all misery. Does not every man desire after that which is good? Was ever any man in love with torment? Is it not everyone's interest to study how to prevent it? Why then surely, Thoughtful, Consideration cannot but have your affection, unless you do contemn rivers of pleasure, inconceivable glory, even the inexhaustible riches of both worlds, and choose rather anguish, death, hell, and sulphurous smoke and flames for your portion. And now to take off what Difficulty says against entertaining of Consideration, he basely insinuates that to muse and ponder upon the great concerns of godliness, and another world, is a hard and difficult work. Whereas to undertake great and hazardous and dangerous achievements for worldly advantages, this is notwithstanding presently undertaken; men do not care how difficult the work is if it be but profitable; and shall this be a stumbling block in your way? What will not men call difficult, if they have no mind to it? How should some houses be built, bridges over great rivers be made, fields be sowed, and dangerous voyages to sea be undertaken? Shall the carpenter say, "O it is difficult"; and the husbandman say, "O it is difficult"; and the mariner say, "it is difficult"; and so lay it all aside? Indeed, is it not sad that bloody Papists, and other wicked enemies of the gospel, should not think anything too hard and difficult to undertake to suppress and destroy godliness? And yet many who profess a love to me do not care to encounter with small difficulties about consideration, how to entertain and embrace me, though it be their only business and chief interest in all the world. Were a man's house on fire over his head, and he like to be burned, would he not think of ways to get out, because it was a difficult work to do? It is not because considerations about heaven and happiness are so hard and difficult; but because men have no will nor love to these things — other things are more in their affections. Besides, the rarest things are not obtained but through great difficulty. What hazards do men often run for honor and worldly riches? Oh, what projects and contrivances do they find out? And will you desist from this work because it is difficult? Consideration (says one) — that spotless virgin, that joy of angels, that envy of devils, that offspring of God; the ladder whereby men climb to heaven — is thought hard, though nothing be more easy. It is a thing portable, and it is always to be had; it is always in season, always at hand, always in call, no burden in a journey, no load in a voyage. Men may carry it with them wherever they go, when they travel abroad, when they stay at home, when they sit down, when they rise up. They need not go beyond sea to fetch it, or involve many books to be masters of it; they need not sail to the antipodes to compass it, nor dig underground to find it; they need not ransack the Indies to enrich themselves with it; they need not sell their lands and houses to purchase it, nor run the hazard of sword and fire to secure it; they need not clamber mountains to possess it, nor wade through rivers to inherit it. Strong stupidity! Men do not think it hard to carry talents of lead, or mountains of sin on their backs, and yet they think consideration difficult — who, like a faithful friend, would tell them how to be rid of that load that will, except they get faith in Christ, or receive True Godliness into their hearts, sink them down into the lowest pit. They do not think it hard to dig into hell, yet they think consideration hard, who would teach them a way to quench that fire. They do not think it hard to be oppressed by a bloody usurper, and yet they think consideration hard, which would help them to shake him off. O fools and slow of heart! They that have courage to meet an army in the field, and have confidence to laugh at the glittering spear and shield, they that have courage to plow the sea, to face the mouth of a cannon, to stand a volley of shot, to fight duels, to endure the noise of guns, to hear the clashing of swords and spears, and lie on the cold ground many nights together, to have an arm or leg cut off — have they courage to do all this, and shall you think consideration about these great things too hard for you? Contemn the thoughts of being overcome by this deceitful and timorous fellow Difficulty. Secondly, as to what Deficiency says, that you are a man of a weak understanding; alas, you can perceive that gold is better than glass or rattles, and that pearls are better than pebbles. You are able to perceive you are mortal and must die, and do know when a bone is broke, it is good to have it set; and that food is good for you when you are hungry; and that it is good to get clothes on to hide your nakedness. And are you not able to consider the need there is of food to feed your soul, and clothes to cover the nakedness of your soul; and that it is good to get grace to enrich your soul? You are able to find out how grievous it is to be cast into a furnace of fire; and can you not think that it is worse to be cast into a fire that cannot be quenched? Indeed, have not weak and simple ones in their own eyes, and in the eyes of others too, attained to the skill of consideration about their eternal state, indeed and have wonderfully outdone the wise and learned ones of the world in it too? "Knowledge is easy to him that has understanding." "Wisdom gives subtlety to the simple, and young men knowledge and discretion." "When wisdom enters into your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your feet; discretion shall preserve you, and understanding shall keep you." Thirdly, as for what Sloth says, you have cause to abhor him, for he is a beggarly villain, and deserves to be driven not only out of your house, but out of the town and world too, for he never did any man the least good; cast him out as a vagabond. How now, Thoughtful, would you not take pains? Remember the slothful person shall beg at harvest, and have nothing. Through his means, and idleness his brother, your house is ready to fall through, and your vineyard is grown all over with thorns and nettles; and yet he would not have you consider your danger till it is too late to escape it. Oh how many have lost their souls by this bloody wretch? What good comes of idleness? Besides, do you not see how the men of the world hate him? They will not hearken to him, but will in despite of him consider of fit ways and means to get bread to eat, and clothes to put on; indeed, and seek out through great industry rare projects to get store of riches. And will you be drawn away by him from thinking on the ready way to be made rich, great and renowned for ever? It is the diligent hand that has the promise. You must seek for wisdom as for silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure. Indeed, and do not think either that I put too great a burden upon you, for you may perceive you need not take greater pains about this inestimable jewel than the men of the world take to get the perishing things of this life. Indeed, if men did bestow half the labor about the good of their souls, as they bestow about getting the world and providing for their bodies, what happy creatures might they be? Fourthly, as touching what that timorous faint-hearted fellow Danger laid before you, in respect of letting in Melancholy; this is a mere deceit, for there is a vast difference between serious consideration and destructive melancholy. A man is not therefore sad because he will not swear, rant, whore and be drunk. Consideration will let you see that those men who are taken so much with vain sports and merriment have the least cause to rejoice of any men in the world. Jollities are, as one observes, much like Attila's nuptials, whose wedding day proved his funeral. Who would hazard an eternity of joy for a moment's time of vain and empty pleasure? None can rejoice so heartily as he that has God for his portion, and has his name written in heaven. Consideration will let you see that whatever vain men may say, prate and boast of touching joy and pleasures, yet there is no delight and felicity like that which is found in the ways of true virtue. That goodness is the best security, and that the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, that in this garden are the sweetest roses, the most odoriferous flowers, the most fragrant plants — roses which have no prickles underneath (not like carnal delights), whose flowers fade and wither away; nor like the frothy mirth which the laughter of fools affords. Consideration would let you see that those serious persons who look dejected and melancholy to a carnal eye have joys within, which no stranger intermeddles with, and as little as they make of cheerfulness, yet they carry in their breast that which can make their life a perpetual jubilee. Second, they are fools that account the life of a Christian madness, and his inward peace an airy fiction. None is such a fanatic as he who cherishes a serpent in his bosom, that will certainly sting him to death, who never sows, yet thinks to reap a good crop at harvest; that may have glorious robes to clothe him, and yet values his own nasty rags above them, or else chooses to go naked; who hates, and seeks to destroy his best friends, for the sake of whom he is not destroyed; who thinks to go to heaven, and yet walks the direct way to hell. Can there be greater madness than to prefer a stone before bread, or feed upon husks with the swine, when there are all good things to be had if they would but seek out for them? Can there be greater madness than to value a base lust above God, Christ, and eternal glory? Third, whereas Danger tells you (to obstruct Consideration from opening to me) of the evilness of the times, and that if I am let in, you will be undone, know then if I am kept out, there is no way to escape — ruined you will be. No danger like soul-danger; he can never be undone that has God for his portion, and heaven for his inheritance. Lose your soul, and what have you more? And unless you consider the sooner, and open to me, you cannot save it; for without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Fifthly, worldly cares I know hinder my dear friend Consideration as much as anything; he would persuade you that you have no time to think on God nor godliness, having a trade to follow, a family to provide for, etc. But shall those things hinder you from thinking of anything else? Is there not one thing more needful; namely, to make much of, or seriously think on me, and of the concerns of your soul, when you are at work, or about your secular affairs, when you go out, and when you come in, when you lie down, and when you rise up? Your heart may be with God, when your hand is otherwise employed. True, if the world has got into your heart, there can be little room for Consideration nor True Godliness. A continual hurry of business puts out the eye whereby it should reflect upon itself. But shall the earth keep out heaven, and the prince of darkness shut out the Prince of Light, and briars and thorns choke the good seed? Shall worldly cares and business be your chiefest guests, whom you bid welcome? And shall Christ stand at your door as a neglected stranger? Shall thoughts be cherished about getting the world, and serious consideration be crushed, who would put you in a way how to get heaven? But remember this, he that has no time to open to Christ here, Christ will find no time to open to him hereafter. Can the world help you to peace and pardon on a death-bed, or riches deliver you in the day of wrath? Sixthly, as to what your old companions lay before you to render me odious, if you mind or regard them, adieu for ever. They that hate seriousness themselves must needs dislike it in others. These are the devil's agents, whom he sends abroad into the world to deflower virtue; these are his factors, by whom he draws men into eternal chains of darkness; these strive to put me (True Godliness) into a wolf's skin; then set all the dogs in the town upon me. This age has bred more monsters of wickedness than many ages before it. Shun keeping company with these scoffers and contemners of True Godliness, for the Lord's sake. As you have come into the town of religion, so let the truly religious be your companions, who will instead of hindering, help serious consideration. What ground is there to think a man should mind the true interest of his soul, that keeps company with persons who make a sport and maygame of serious consideration? He that would keep his garden and precious flowers securely must be sure, whatever he does, to keep out the hogs. What is he that keeps company with sinners, but a companion of sinners? And society in sin strangely takes off from the heinousness of it. Also men may judge of a person by the company he keeps; as is a man's company, such is the man, and as is his company here, such it is likely to be hereafter. O how do sinners harden one another in ways of wickedness! They think there is some comfort in having associates in misery. They dare to sin more freely (as one observes) when they are in company, being afraid their single valor will never be able to duel God's wrath; they hope God will not damn a multitude of his creatures together; as if the number of sinners could move the Almighty into compassion. And if they perish, they think — indeed sometimes speak it — they shall fare as well as their neighbors. It is a hard thing indeed, Thoughtful, to be serious in such a lascivious age as this is; a wicked man as he poisons the air in which he breathes, so he pollutes the age in which he lives. It is bad lodging in that house where God himself refuses to dwell; with the perverse you will soon learn perverseness. Who can touch pitch and not be defiled? But it is better to be contemned for virtue by men on earth, than to be condemned for vice by the God of heaven. What do you say now, Thoughtful? Shall Consideration prevail with you to open the door to me? He stood and paused a while, and had a great mind to embrace him; Conscience being quite brought over to join in with him; and now Consideration was hugged by Thoughtful with great joy, and all those other enemies seemed quite vanquished. But lo, on a sudden new enemies rose up in his house, and made strong opposition, and strove to keep Godliness out, though Consideration was kindly embraced; for he, like David, thought on his ways, and began to turn his feet to keep God's testimonies, and with the prodigal, being come to himself, resolved to go home to his Father's house.