MONEY-LOVE's answer

cannot be contradicted, since it is set before him by Providence: so then he may get it if he can, making no question for conscience' sake.

2. Besides, his desire after that benefice makes him more studious, a more zealous preacher, &c. and so makes him a better man, yea, makes him better improve his parts; which is according to the mind of GOD,

3. Now as for the complying with the temper of his people by deserting, to serve them, some of his principles, this argueth that he is of a self-denying temper, of a sweet and winning deportment; and so more fit for the ministerial function.

4. I conclude, then, that a minister that changes a small for a great, should not, for so doing, be judged covetous; but rather, since he is improved in his parts and industry thereby, be counted as one that pursues his call, and the opportunity put into his hand to do good.

And now to the second part of the question, which concerns the tradesman you mentioned: suppose such an one to have but a poor employ in the world; but by becoming religious he may mend his market, perhaps get a rich wife, or more and far better customers to his shop. For my part I see no reason but this may be lawfully done. For why?

1. To become religious is a virtue, by what means soever a man becomes so.

2. Nor is it unlawful to get a rich wife or more custom to my shop.

They agree to propose it to CHRISTIAN.

3. Besides, the man that gets these by becoming religious, gets that which is good, of them that are good, by becoming good himself; so then here is a good wife, and good customers, and good gain, and all these by becoming religious, which is good: therefore, to become religious to get all these is a good and profitable design.

This answer, thus made by this Mr. MONEY-LOVE to Mr. BY-ENDS' question, was highly applauded by them all wherefore they concluded upon the whole that it was most wholesome and advantageous. And because, as they thought, no man was able to contradict it, and because CHRISTIAN and HOPEFUL were yet within call, they jointly agreed to assault them with this question as soon as they overtook them: and the rather because they had opposed Mr. BY-ENDS before. So they called after them, and they stopped and stood still till they came up to them but they concluded, as they went, that not Mr. BY-ENDS, but old Mr. HOLD-THE-WOrld, should propound the question to them; because, as they supposed, their answer to him would be without the remainder of that heat, that was kindled between Mr. BY-ENDS and them at their parting a lit tle before.

So they came up to each other, and, after a short salutation, Mr. HOLD-THE-WORLD propounded the question to CHRISTIAN and his fellow, and bid them to answer if they could.

Then said CHRISTIAN, Even a babe in religion

CHRISTIAN'S Scriptural answer

may answer ten thousand such questions. For if it be unlawful to follow CHRIST for the loaves, as it is;* how much more is it abominable to make of him and religion a stalking-horse to get and enjoy the world? Nor do we find any other than heathens, hypocrites, devils, and witches, that are of this opinion.

Heathens, for when HAMOR and SHECHEM had a mind to the daughter and cattle of JACOB, and saw that there were no ways for them to come at them, but.by becoming circumcised; they say to their companions, "If every male of us be circumcised, "as they are circumcised, shall not their cattle, and "their substance, and every beast of theirs, be "ours?" Their daughters and their cattle were that which they sought to obtain, and their religion the stalking-horse they made use of to come at them. Read the whole story, Genesis xxxiv. 20-24.

The hypocritical Pharisees were also of this religion long prayers were their pretence; but to get widows' houses was their intent, and greater damnation was from God their judgment.†

* Jesus answered them, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. John vi. 26, 27.

+ Beware of the scribes which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts: which devour widows

BY-ENDS and his party silenced.

JUDAS the devil was also of this religion: he was religious for the bag, that he might be possessed of what was therein; but he was lost, a castaway, and the very son of perdition.

SIMON the witch was of this religion too: for he would have had the HOLY GHOST, that he might have got money therewith; and his sentence from PETER's mouth was accordingly.*

Neither will it out of my mind, but that that man, that takes up religion for the world, will throw away religion for the world; for so surely as JUDAS designed the world in becoming religious, so surely did he also sell religion and his MASTER for the same, To answer this question therefore affirmatively, as I perceive you have done, and do accept of, as authentic, such answer, is both heathenish, hypocritical, and devilish; and your reward will be according to your works.-Then they stood staring one upon another, but had not therewith to answer CHRISTIAN. HOPEFUL also approved of the soundhouses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. Luke xx. 46, 47.

*

And, when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent, therefore, of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts vii. 18-28.

DEMAS invites CHRISTIAN to the silver mine.

ness of CHRISTIAN's answer; so there was a great silence among them. Mr. BY-ENDS and his company also staggered and kept behind, that CHRISTIAN and HOPEFUL might out go them. Then said CHRISTIAN to his fellow, If these men cannot stand before the sentence of men, what will they do with the sentence of GOD? And if they are mute when dealt with by vessels of clay, what will they do when they shall be rebuked by the flames of a devouring fire?

Then CHRISTIAN and HOPEFUL outwent them again, and went till they came at a delicate Plain, called EASE; where they went with much content: but that Plain was but narrow, so they were quickly got over it. Now at the further side of that Plain was a little hill, called LUCRE, and in that hill a silver mine, which some of them that had formerly gone that way, because of the rarity of it, had turned aside to see: but going too near the brink of the pit, the ground being deceitful under them, broke, and they were slain some also had been maimed there, and could not to their dying day be their own men again.

Then I saw in my dream, that a little off the road, over against the silver mine, stood DEMAS, gentleman like, to call to passengers to come and see: who said to CHRISTIAN and his fellow, Ho! turn aside hither, and I will show you a thing.

CHR. What thing so deserving as to turn us out of the way?

DEMAS. Here is a silver mine, and some digging in it for treasure; if you will come, with a little pains you may richly provide for yourselves.