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

Nay and he began to speak of the Excellency 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. Nay, 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 his Tabernacle. ⟨p. 113⟩Now the Enemies he met with, were these; Difficulty, Sloth, ¹Deficiency, Security, Danger, Worldly Cares, and Carnal Company: These and many other Enemies appeared to obstruct and hinder Consideration about this great and importunate business of opening to True Godliness. First Difficulty spake after this manner; Sir;² Do not trouble your self 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 labour. Sloth told him,³ it was a laborious and toilsome Work, and 'twould be great wearisomeness to him, if the Difficulty did not make it impossible. Deficiency said,⁴ he was a man of a weak understanding, and those things were matters for the Learned and most knowing men of all to study; nay, and that many of them too, notwithstanding all their profound Learning, Proficiency and skill in the Tongues, could hardly attain to the right knowledge of them. Security endeavoured to make it appear his Condition was very good and safe now,⁵ 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. ⟨p. 114⟩