CHAPTER XII.

Godliness, coming to Thoughtful's house, found there his friend Consideration, whom he had a long time sought for. The great opposition Consideration met with.

Godliness now finding it was in vain to gain admittance any where, unless the house were under the influence of Serious Consideration, knocked at a man's door who was but just now come to dwell in the town Religion. It encouraged him to learn that while so many were leaving the place, this man sought it for a habitation.

Now, this person formerly had been a very great enemy to True Godliness, having lived a loose and profuse life; and wasted his chief substance, though he had not really come to poverty, but seemed to be in middling circumstances. Godliness had not long knocked at his door, before he listened to him, and spake within himself to this purpose: Who is this? Surely, said he, this is a voice different from

any I have ever heard in my life; and he doth not knock as others used to do. At last he cried out, Who is there? Who is it that is at my door?

Godli. Soul, Christ is at the door, and 1, his noble and renowned offspring, True Godliness. Dost thou not remember that word, "Behold I stand at the door and knock?" &c. Rev. iii. 20. Sir, now I will ask you the like question; Pray what is your name? I hope I am come to the right door.

He answered, I might very well be called Prodigal for I have hitherto lived a very thoughtless and wicked life; but some call me of late Thoughtful, because, blessed be God, I am newly come to myself, and am constantly thinking upon my latter end, and the evil of my former ways.

Godli. But why dost thou choose to take up thy dwelling in this village now, when so many are going out?

Thought. Because I hear it is the best town in the country to secure a man from danger in evil times, provided he can but get a place in one of its strong holds in the heart of the town; for I have heard there is no safe dwelling at the town's end; no, nor any where in

the suburbs.* Besides, I was told lately, that the city where I have dwelt till now of late, will suddenly be destroyed. I do it indeed to save my own soul. I am, Sir, desirous to find out, if it may be, where true peace, happiness and eternal felicity, are to be had; for I see they are not to be found in those paths in which I formerly walked; I mean, in the ways of Riches, Honour, and the Pleasures of this world.

Godli. I commend thee, honest Thoughtful; thou hast done wisely, and like a considerate man. Prithee, let me come in and dwell with thee, and thou wilt find this poor town the safest and most secure place in these dangerous times, in all the world. Sir, I have wandered about a long time, travelling from place to place, to seek for one to whom I bear much good will, but hitherto I have not found him; his name is Consideration.

Upon this Consideration,† who it seems was

* We must be hearty in religion; to get into the neighbourhood, the suburbs of piety, as it were, will do us no good. Reformation is not regeneration.

Ed.

+ One of the first indications of grace in the heart, is, that the sinner begins to consider his ways. The process of this consideration is here well described.

Ed.

indeed within, whispered Thoughtful in his ear, and said, This is he that can alone make thee happy, if he be readily, sincerely, and heartily embraced and entertained. I can soon shew you that there are many and forcible reasons for admitting this visiter, and cherishing him as thy welcome guest ever henceforth. Meditate upon the worth and excellent nature of thy soul. Thou art made a man, and therefore for a nobler and higher end and employment, surely, than eating and drinking, sleeping and praying, trade and secular affairs, and to enjoy sensual pleasures. This glorious soul which lies in thy bosom, is capable of knowing God, and of enjoying union and communion with him forever; and all those who suffer the honours, profits, and pleasures of the world to take up and engross their hearts, go astray, and err from the great end of their creation. Alas! nothing can fill the desires of thy soul, but God himself. Thou hast hitherto suffered thy affections and desires to run after whatsoever thou couldst think might yield thee felicity; but it is evident there is nothing thou canst find here below, that can satisfy thy thirsty and ever craving soul.

Riches, which sometimes thy heart hath been so much set upon, cannot be thy chief

happiness; for they are uncertain, fleeting, and variable: and let a man have ever so much of them, yet if they are his chief delight, he is still craving and desiring more; so that it is as Solomon says, "He that desireth silver,

shall not be satisfied with silver."

Honours are of like nature; and besides their vanity, they depend on the minds, will, and humours of men, who are changeable and inconstant.

Pleasures and voluptuousness are common to beasts as well as men, and, what is worse, man has this additional disadvantage, that he endures remorse and discontent when the enjoyment is past.

Besides all this, Consideration, to induce him to open to True Godliness, bid him ask his soul in what state it now was, what it was doing, and whether it was going.

First, He endeavoured to show him, that his soul was in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity, being under the law and curse of God, both in respect of original and actual sin; he having not yet closed with Christ, nor received True Godliness.

Secondly, Then as to what he was doing, he bid him see if he did not neglect that one thing ueedful. Have you, said Consideration, made