ture,) was abominable to God; and that a man also might be over wise in his own conceit.

This reasonable and scriptural answer ended the dispute. Riches perceiving his chaplain to be worsted, disliked True Godliness the more, and raised all the rabble of the town upon him; among which were Pride, Ignorance, Wilful, Hate Good, Outside, Riot, Wasteful, Hard Heart, Giddy-Head, PickThank, Rob-Saint, and other ill-bred fellows. Moreover he affirmed, if he were not gone soon, he would send for the constables, Oppression and Cruelty, to put him where he should be safe. Upon which, Godliness was forced to get away and hide himself, or else he had been cruelly beaten, or basely put to death: but he, being out of their reach, by the providence of God escaped without injury.*

Godliness being thus forced to leave Riches' door, Vice and Ungodliness took the full possession of his house, and Godliness went on his way, grieved to see how he had hitherto been slighted and abused.

* Persecution may drive religion to temporary ob. scurity, but true religion cannot be bound by oppression and cruelty, much less destroyed by the hosts of evil men. It has always" escaped without injury" and presented itself again elsewhere in all its integrity, beauty and benevolence.

Ed.

CHAPTER V.

Godliness, in his Travels, came to a Cottage, where dwelt Poverty, with whom he earnestly desired to make his Abode, but was denied.

GODLINESS, finding how basely he had been rejected by Riches, and that he could not, with the strongest arguments and motives imaginable, get entertainment with him, travelled farther; and at last chanced to come to a small village, at the farthest end of which, near the common, he espied a little cottage. It was a poor old ruinous building, propped up, as if it was ready to fall. Into the broken windows were stuffed some old clothes to keep out the cold. Weeds filled the little yard before the door, the decayed fence no longer serving to protect the enclosure. The whole aspect was that of improvidence and vice, and seemed to present but an unwelcome lodging to the noble traveller. But, however, remembering what his blessed Lord and Master said, "the poor receive the gospel," Godliness resolved to go thither, for he "is no respecter of persons."

He is as willing to be a guest to the poor as to the rich, and to dwell with the peasant as with the prince, or to make his abode in a cottage as in a palace. Being come up to the door, he understood the man's name who dwelt there was Poverty. Now Godliness knocked five or six times before he had any answer: but at last, being between sleeping and waking, Poverty asked, (though very faintly,) Who is there? Who is at the door?

Godli. A friend; my name is True Godli

ness.

Prov. Ah! I have heard of your name, yet know you not: and moreover, I was forbid formerly to entertain one who goes by your name; and it may be you as far as I know. I have heard that many thousands, through your means, have lost their lives as well as their estates. And though I have not much to lose, yet my life is as dear to me as any man's.

Godli. I will do thee no wrong, my friend, but contrary-wise; if you open the door and kindly entertain me, you shall find me the best friend that ever you met with.

Prov. You speak well; but what is it you will do for me? Have you any money to impart, to procure food for my family, or clothing for my almost naked children?

Godli. I cannot at present assure thee of worldly good things. I do not proffer men money, or hire them to open their doors to me. If I am not freely and heartily received, I will not enter at all. Friend, I do not trade in gold and silver; but this I will promise, upon the word of Christ himself, that if thou wilt kindly let me in, whatsoever good thing the Lord sees thou dost need, thou shalt have it. "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. vi. 33. You complain of want; come, open to me remember that word, "They that fear the Lord shall not want any good thing?" Psl. xxxiv. 10. "The Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psl. lxxxiv. 11. What dost thou say, Poverty?

Pov. I am in a very low condition: what you mean I cannot tell; but this I know, my head and heart are filled about other things. Alas! what can you think to meet with, or expect from me? Do you not see what a number of poor, hungry, ragged children I have? It is enough for me to get bread for them: I must leave the things of which you speak to my superiors; I mean such who have more

time to mind them, and are better learned. I cannot tell what to say to you.

Truly, we poor folks in the country think it is godliness enough for us to bear an honest mind, and pay truly for what we have, and go to church now and then, to hear some good prayers, and to say the Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer, sometimes at home, when we come from work, if we don't chance to fall asleep first; but if I thought it would be for my profit, I would open to you immediately.

Godli. I will assure thee, Poverty, it will be infinitely for thy advantage; hast thou not read

Pov. I can't read, Sir.

Godli. Well, have you not heard then, that "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come," 1 Tim. iv. 8-and that "Godliness with contentment is great gain " Now, because I see you are weak, I will tell you of some of those great blessings you will gain, if you receive me in truth. Wheresoever I come I bring reconciliation with God, pardon of sin, peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost; I teach men to be diligent and frugal, and so help them to a decent competency;