CHAPTER X.

Godliness came to Mr. Formalist's door, who bid him very welcome; but he suspecting his integrity, and that he harboured divers grand enemies of his, particularly one Hypocrisy, hesitated to go in. How Hypocrisy came to be discovered. Formalist at last refused to entertain True Godliness.

Godliness being informed that there was another professor of religion living in this village, he thought it was convenient for him to see whether he might not get a lodging in his house. He was a man whom all the neighbourhood said had a great love to True Godliness nay, the people verily thought he had for a long time taken up his lodging with him, and wondered when they heard him ask for his house, for by that means they perceiv ed he was a stranger to him. It was a considerable time before he could find where he dwelt, for it appeared he was sometimes called by

another name, viz. Devotion.*

But at last,

passing by one man's door and by another, he heard a man at prayer, and he spake so loud, that all who walked along the street might hear him he then concluded it was very probable he might dwell there; and to his door he came and knocked.

Formal. Who's there?

Godli. My name is True Godliness. Formal. True Godliness! Pray, Sir, come in; there is none in all the world I love more dearly; the best room in all my house is at your service. Pray, where have you been, and what news do you hear? Are the Imperialists and Turks at peace, and all things adjusted? How go things in the world? How doth it fare with our poor protestant brethren in France? What news from Scotland? When will the times be better?

*The character here described is the opposite to that last portrayed, and is of much more frequent occurrence among us. We shall not find so many who answer to this description as of those who imitate Legalist or Morality. True religion, however, not only regards duty, and the law which regulates our daily intercourse with men, but Devotion which gives us communion with God. To the last name this man had no good title, though the ignorant gave him this appellation.

Ed,

Many such questions he asked and professed abundance of respect to True Godliness, and (as you heard) bid him come in; but never offered to open the door. Godliness was grieved to find him so full of words; but more especially, because he took up his time, and troubled his mind so much after news; nay, and that too, when he should open to True Godliness, and just upon ending his devotion; yet nevertheless, Godliness very mildly answered him to this purpose:

Godli. Sir, As to your first question, I answer, I have wandered about from place to place, to seek entertainment-I mean, a fit and convenient lodging for a little time, for it will not be long ere I shall have done travelling ;* but I am fallen into such an evil and perilous time, that scarcely any one will shew me the favour to take me in, and make me welcome. Riches, Poverty, Youth, and Old Age, have all refused me, and shut their doors against me; and since I came into these parts, and particularly to your town, where every one concluded I should be most kindly embraced,

* Think of that reader,-"My Spirit shall not always strive with man." Be zealous and repent, lest the day of wailing come on thee unawares.

Ed.

the very first man I came to, denied me entertainment; and not only so, but called me hard names, and declared I was a vile impostor.

me.

Formal. What man is that?

pray inform

Godli. My friend, to answer your question, the man is called Legalist.

Formal. O! Sir, there is not a man in all this town more haughty, proud, and conceited than he. He concludes, I warrant you, that he hath godliness enough already; he makes, in truth, the whole of religion to consist in principles of morality. I have heard him say that if a man do but square his life as near as he can according to the law of the ten commandments, not being guilty of gross sins, nor wilfully break any precepts of the two tables, he shall be saved. He never considers all the while the necessity of faith and regeneration; and although he trusts thus to his own righteousness, he is a very worldly, proud, and passionate person; nay, and he himself confesseth, he is a sinner, and yet would be justified by the law; whereas you know the least sins, lusts of the heart, and evil thoughts, are a breach of it; and the smallest breach is death and eternal wrath, without a compensa

tion made to offended justice; and none was able to do this but Jesus Christ; and none have the blessing of his undertaking, but such as believe.

Godli. You seem to have a good understanding, and what you say is perfectly correct; but how comes it about, you let me stand all this while at your door? Is this your kindness to me? What avail your knowledge and parts, except you entertain True Godliness?

Formal. Dear Sir, have I not opened to you already? You are in my affections, and 1 will farther open to you; pray come in, and do as you please in my house.

Godli. I fear you mistake; you have opened to me in one respect, but not in another: you seem to like my form, but not my power; my external rites, but not my internal life. I am indeed received into your head, but not into your heart. The truth is, I suspect

you.

Formal. Suspect me, Sir! for what?

Godli. That you have one or two implacable enemies of mine hid secretly in your house.

Formal. Who, I Sir! God forbid I should hide any enemies of True Godliness! Who