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

and yet he would not have thee consider thy danger till 'tis 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; nay, and seek out through great industry rare projects to get store of Riches; and wilt thou be drawn away by him from thinking on the ready way to be made rich, great and renowned for ever? 'Tis the diligent hand that hath the Promise:¹ thou must seek for Wisdom as for silver, and search for her as for hid Treasure. Nay, and do not think neither, I put too great a burden upon thee, for thou mayest perceive thou needest not to take greater pains about this inestimable Jewel, than the men of the World take to get the perishing things of this Life; nay, if men did bestow half the labour 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 thee, in respect of letting in Melancholy; this is a mere deceit, for there is a vast difference between serious Consideration ⟨p. 125⟩and destructive Melancholy, a man is not therefore sad because he will not Swear, Rant, Whore and be Drunk. Consideration will let thee 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 Moments time of vain and empty pleasure? None can rejoice so heartily as he that hath God for his portion, and hath his Name written in heaven. Consideration will let thee see that whatsoever 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;

and yet he would not have thee consider thy danger till 'tis 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 despight of him consider of fit waies and means to get Bread to eat, and Clothes to put on; nay, and seek out through great industry rare projects to get store of Riches; and wilt thou be drawn away by him from thinking on the ready way to be made rich, great and renowned for ever? 'Tis the diligent hand that hath the Promise: