N30392:74
The travels of true godliness. From the beginning of the world to this present…
The travels of true godliness. From the beginning of the world to this present day, in an apt and pleasant allegory: showing, what true godliness is; also the troubles, oppositions, reproaches, and persecutions he hath met with in every age. : Together with the danger and sad declining state he is in at this present time, by errors, heresies, and ungodliness, or open profaneness. / By Benjamin Keach, author of a book called War with the devil, and Zion in distress, and The travels of ungodliness.The travels of true godliness. From the beginning of the world to this present day, in an apt and pleasant allegory: shewing, what true godliness is; also the troubles, oppositions, reproaches, and persecutions he hath met with in every age. : Together with the danger and sad declining state he is in at this present time, by errors, heresies, and ungodliness, or open prophaneness. / By Benjamin Keach, author of a book call'd War with the devil, and Sion in distress, and The travels of ungodliness.
Boston: printed by B. Green and Company for D. Gookin over against the Old South Meeting-House, 1745
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Dr. Self-love. You must not give way to him, for I know him well enough, his Name is Conscience. Sir, if you follow his Dictates, and embrace this Godliness, you will be undone, and your Wife and Children soon will be brought to a piece of Bread, notwithstanding your great Estate: But alas, he is grown old, and is in his Dotage, and for want of good Eye-sight errs exceedingly; nay, is so erroneous, that you do well to advise with us; come, doubt not but we shall inform him better. Sir, your great Fault hath been this, (I perceive it clearly) you have read too much of late, why should you concern your self with the Bible? I think it had been well if it had never been translated into our Mother-Tongue, this hath given him opportunity to disturb your Mind; come, give over ⟨p. 26⟩this in the first place: The cause you know, of a Distemper, must be first removed, or no effectual Cure can be expected, 'tis enough for you to mind your secular Affairs, things of Religion belong to religious Men; and when Conscience for any Sin gripes you, divert your self amongst the brave Heroes you used to keep Company with, get to the Tavern, or to some Play-House; but be sure at no Time you read any Book besides your Books of Accounts and Romances, or such like: And for Religion, let me tell you, that natural Religion is sufficient, and that what this Traveller saith, is but mysterious Nonsense, enough to make Men mad. I do not say you should not be Religious at all, no, God forbid I should give you such Counsel; but there is no need to entertain strict Godliness, because you may be saved without it, else, Lord, what will become of the greatest part of the World! go to Church and hear Prayers, but be sure forbear to go to such Churches where any bawling Preacher endeavours to reach your Conscience. Can any Man persuade me his Soul cannot be saved, unless he sell all he hath, and give it to the poor, and so become a Fool, that he may be wise, who can believe that another's Righteousness can make me Righteous before God.
Dr. Self-love. You must not give way to him, for I know him well enough, his Name is Conscience. Sir, if you follow his Dictates, and embrace this Godliness, you will be undone, and your Wife and Children soon will be brought to a piece of Bread, notwithstanding your great Estate: But alas, he is grown old, and is in his Dotage, and for want of good Eye-sight errs exceedingly; nay, is so erroneous, that you do well to advise with us; come, doubt not but we shall inform him better. Sir, your great Fault hath been this, (I perceive it clearly) you have read too much of late, why should you concern your self with the Bible? I think it had been well if it had never been translated into our Mother-Tongue, this hath given him opportunity to disturb your Mind; come, give over