Now Godliness knocked very hard and often before any within would give an Answer,1 Riches being full of business, for either he was telling of his money, or casting up his Accounts, to see what his Neighbours owed him, or else consulting new Projects to increase his store, for I perceive he is a person never satisfied; besides the Times being very perilous, his mind was filled with perplexing and vexatious thoughts, how to save and keep what he had already gotten; so that he had no leisure nor time to listen to the continual knocking of True Godliness at his Door, insomuch that Godliness was forced to stay there a long time, and that which grieved this High-born Prince most of all, was this (viz.) he perceived that no sooner than some other Guests came to his Door (who were persons much interior, as to Birth and Quality, to him, and indeed not worthy of the least regard, and not having business of ⟨p. 17⟩that great weight and moment with him as Godliness had) yet he opened his Door immediately to them, but before this Renowned Hero and Darling of Heaven could get in, Riches had so many base and ill bred Servants in his House, that they clapped to the Door, so that he could not get so much as one foot in. Now, the Guests he so readily opened unto, were (as I take them) these following (viz.) The Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life. *These be took much delight in, & kept company with continually; sometimes they had him to the Tavern, sometimes to the Play-Houses, and sometimes to recreate him at Bowls, Cards and Dice, and with divers other Sensual Sports and Pleasures; but at last it so fell out, that he was taken very sick, and Godliness still waiting at his Door, it happened at this time one was in his House, who forced him to listen to this earnest and continual knocking, his name was Mr. Fearful, he is one that Riches doth not at all love, but when sickness comes he is grievously troubled with him; and he made him at this season to cry out, who is there? who is at my Door.
Now Godliness knock'd very hard and often before any within would give an Answer,1 Riches being full of business, for either he was telling of his money, or casting up his Accounts, to see what his Neighbours owed him, or else consulting new Projects to encrease his store, for I perceive he is a person never satisfied; besides the Times being very perillous, his mind was filled with perplexing and vexatious thoughts, how to save and keep what he had already gotten; so that he had no leasure nor time to listen to the continual knocking of True Godliness at his Door, insomuch that Godliness was forced to stay there a long time, and that which grieved this High-born Prince most of all, was this (viz.) he perceived that no sooner than some other Guests came to his Door (who were persons much interiour, as to Birth and Quality, to him, and indeed not worthy of the least regard, and not having business of ⟨p. 17⟩that great weight and moment with him as Godliness had) yet he opened his Door immediately to them, but before this Renowned Hero and Darling of Heaven could get in, Riches had so many base and illbred Servants in his House, that they clapp'd to the Door, so that he could not get so much as one foot in. Now, the Guests he so readily opened unto, were (as I take them) these following (viz.) The Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life. *These be took much delight in, & kept company with continually; sometimes they had him to the Tavern, sometimes to the Play-Houses, and sometimes to recreate him at Bowls, Cards and Dice, and with divers other Sensual Sports and Pleasures; but at last it so fell out, that he was taken very sick, and Godliness still waiting at his Door, it happened at this time one was in his House, who forced him to listen to this earnest and continual knocking, his name was Mr. Fearful, he is one that Riches doth not at all love, but when sickness comes he is grievously troubled with him; and he made him at this season to cry out, who is there? who is at my Door.
- 1Godliness knocks at Riches Doors.
- *John 2.16
