The travels of true godliness, from the beginning of the world to this present…

Godly. I commend thee honest Thoughtful; thou hast done wisely, and like a considerate man; prithee let me come in and dwell with thee, and thou wilt 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 hitherto I have not ⟨p. 110⟩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 thee happy, if he be readily, sincerely and heartily embraced and entertained. Is it not good for thee to muse upon the worth and Excellent Nature of thy Soul; thou art made a man, and therefore for a nobler and higher end and employment (sure) than eating and drinking, sleeping and playing, and wholly to mind thy Trade and secular Affairs, and to enjoy sensual pleasures (a happiness which Beasts arrives to as well as thee) for this glorious Soul which lies in thy Bosom, is capable of knowing God, and of enjoying Union and Communion with him for ever, so that all those who suffer the Honours, 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 can fill the desires of thy Soul, or be its Summum Bonum, but God himself: Thou hast hitherto suffered thy affections and desires to run after whatsoever thou couldest think might yield thee true Felicity; but it is evident there is nothing thou canst find here below, that can satisfy thy thirsty and ever-craving Soul. Riches, which sometimes thy heart hath been so much set upon, cannot be thy Summum Bonum, 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 'tis as Solomon says, He that desireth Silver, shall not be satisfied with Silver. Secondly, Honours are of like nature; and besides ⟨p. 111⟩their vanity, they depend on the minds, will and humours of men, who are changeable and unconstant. Thirdly, Pleasures and Voluptuousness, they are common (as I told thee) with Beasts as well as men, and also have annexed their sting and discontentation when they are past.

Godli. I commend thee honest Thoughtful; thou hast done wisely, and like a considerate man; prithee let me come in and dwell with thee, and thou wilt find this poor Town the safest and most secure place in these dangerous times, in all the world. Sir, I have wandred about a long time, travelling from place to place to seek for one whom I bear much good will to but hitherto I have not