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

hearken not to him, for he will certainly infuse sad thoughts into your Mind, and give you nothing but Gall and Vinegar to drink. 2. He said moreover, Consideration had made many men go besides themselves; and if he did adhere to him about this Affair, he would be distracted. 3. 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, ¹as 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; nay, 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, ²and Carnal Company did greatly abuse Consideration, by endeavouring to make him out of love with a virtuous Life: These laboured 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 ⟨p. 115⟩that their Profession savoured of nothing but of Pride Singularity and Hypocrisy. Now after they had spoke their Pleasure, and almost silenced, nay 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 spake to this purpose; Honest Thoughtful, I would not have thee to be discouraged by those ill-bred Fellows thou hast within to slight poor Consideration; for he is thy very good Friend, and as able a Counsellor as most in this Town. Moreover, very great Inconveniences also have always followed those who have unadvisedly gone about to slight and contemn him. Nay, I must tell thee, most of all those great Miseries and heavy Judgments that have befallen Nations, Cities, Towns, Churches, and particular Souls, hath been occasioned through their great neglect to hearken to Consideration: This was the cause of Israels ruin of old:

hearken not to him, for he will certainly infuse sad thoughts into your Mind, and give you nothing but Gall and Vinegar to drink. 2. He said moreover, Consideration had made many men go besides themselves; and if he did adhere to him about this Affair, he would be distracted. 3. 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 ruin'd, the Times were such. Worldly Cares proved as great an Enemy to Consideration,