By-ends.  Why, they, after their headstrong manner, conclude that it is duty to rush on their journey all weathers; and I am for waiting for wind and tide.  They are for hazarding all for God at a clap; and I am for taking all advantages to secure my life and estate.  They are for holding their notions, though all other men are against them; but I am for religion in what, and so far as the times, and my safety, will bear it.  They are for religion when in rags and contempt; but I am for him when he walks in his golden slippers, in the sunshine, and with applause.

{252} Hold-the-world.  Ay, and hold you there still, good Mr. By-ends; for, for my part, I can count him but a fool, that, having the liberty to keep what he has, shall be so unwise as to lose it.  Let us be wise as serpents; it is best to make hay when the sun shines; you see how the bee lieth still all winter, and bestirs her only when she can have profit with pleasure.  God sends sometimes rain, and sometimes sunshine; if they be such fools to go through the first, yet let us be content to take fair weather along with us.  For my part, I like that religion best that will stand with the security of God’s good blessings unto us; for who can imagine, that is ruled by his reason, since God has bestowed upon us the good things of this life, but that he would have us keep them for his sake?  Abraham and Solomon grew rich in religion.  And Job says, that a good man shall lay up gold as dust.  But he must not be such as the men before us, if they be as you have described them.

Save-all.  I think that we are all agreed in this matter, and therefore there needs no more words about it.

Money-love.  No, there needs no more words about this matter, indeed; for he that believes neither Scripture nor reason (and you see we have both on our side) neither knows his own liberty, nor seeks his own safety.

{253} By-ends.  My brethren, we are, as you see, going all on pilgrimage; and, for our better diversion from things that are bad, give me leave to propound unto you this question:  —­

Suppose a man, a minister, or a tradesman, &c., should have an advantage lie before him, to get the good blessings of this life, yet so as that he can by no means come by them except, in appearance at least, he becomes extraordinarily zealous in some points of religion that he meddled not with before, may he not use these means to attain his end, and yet be a right honest man?

{254} Money-love.  I see the bottom of your question; and, with these gentlemen’s good leave, I will endeavour to shape you an answer.  And first, to speak to your question as it concerns a minister himself:  Suppose a minister, a worthy man, possessed but of a very small benefice, and has in his eye a greater, more fat, and plump by far; he has also now an opportunity of getting of it, yet so as by being more studious, by preaching more frequently and zealously, and, because the temper of the people requires it, by altering of some of his principles; for my part, I see no reason but a man may do this, (provided he has a call), ay, and more a great deal besides, and yet be an honest man.  For why —­