True contentment in the gain of godliness, with its self-sufficiency A meditation on 1.…True contentment in the gaine of godlines, with its self-sufficiencie A meditation on 1.…

Fifthly, men would make more account of Godliness, if they counted it as Gain. Did they indeed account Godliness more gainful than Gain, they would not put Godliness away for Gain, they would not prefer Gain before Godliness. Yea did they deem Godliness the gainfullest thing in the world, they would not forgo Godliness for a world of wealth, or for ought else that were in the world.

Fiftly, men would make more account of Godlinesse, if they counted it as Gaine. Did they indeed account Godlinesse more gainefull than Gaine, they would not put Godlinesse away for Gaine, they would not prefer Gaine before Godlinesse. Yea did they deeme Godlinesse the gainfullest thing in the world, they would not forgo Godlinesse for a world of wealth, or for ought else that were in the world.

But it is with it, as it is with Time. It is a common ⟨p. 34⟩saying in every mans mouth, that ^rThere is nothing in the world more precious than Time, and yet ^sthere is nothing generally more trifled away than it. So of Godliness the most will (in word at least) acknowledge, that there is nothing in the world more gainful than it, and yet the most of them that so say, stick not to make it away for mere trifles. ^tGodly they are content to be for advantage, so long as Godliness bringeth in any worldly Gain with it, or so long as there is no hope of any the like Gain by ungodliness. But let Godliness cease to bring in such Gain, they grow soon weary of it: or let but the least hope of such Gain by ungodliness show it self, & they are ready presently to exchange Godliness for it.

But it is with it, as it is with Time. It is a common ⟨p. 34⟩