Cart. Look you, here are the four Evangelists.  In this Book he that so pleasantly commun’d with the two Disciples in the Way going to Emaus, and who by his heavenly Discourse caus’d them not to be sensible of the Fatigue of their Journey, but made their Hearts burn within them with a divine Ardour of hearing his sweet Words, holds Conversation with me.  In this I converse with Paul, with Isaiah, and the rest of the Prophets.  Here the most sweet Chrysostom converses with me, and Basil, and Austin, and Jerome, and Cyprian, and the rest of the Doctors that are both learned and eloquent.  Do you know any such pleasant Companions abroad in the World, that you can have Conversation with?  Do you think I can be weary of Retirement, in such Society as this?  And I am never without it.

Sol. But they would speak to me to no Purpose, who do not understand them.

Cart. Now for our Diet, what signifies it with what Food this Body of ours is fed which is satisfied with very little, if we live according to Nature?  Which of us two is in the best Plight?  You who live upon Partridges, Pheasants and Capons; or I who live upon Fish?

Sol. If you had a Wife as I have, you would not be so lusty.

Cart. And for that Reason, any Food serves us, let it be never so little.

Sol. But in the mean Time, you live the Life of a Jew.

Cart. Forbear Reflections:  If we cannot come up to Christianity, at least we follow after it.

Sol. You put too much Confidence in Habits, Meats, Forms of Prayer, and outward Ceremonies, and neglect the Study of Gospel Religion.

Cart. It is none of my Business to judge what others do:  As to myself, I place no Confidence in these Things, I attribute nothing to them; but I put my Confidence in Purity of Mind, and in Christ himself.

Sol. Why do you observe these Things then?

Cart. That I may be at Peace with my Brethren, and give no Body Offence.  I would give no Offence to any one for the Sake of these trivial Things, which it is but a very little Trouble to observe.  As we are Men, let us wear what Cloaths we will.  Men are so humoursome, the Agreement or Disagreement in the most minute Matters, either procures or destroys Concord.  The shaving of the Head, or Colour of the Habit does not indeed, of themselves, recommend me to God:  But what would the People say, if I should let my Hair grow, or put on your Habit?  I have given you my Reasons for my Way of Life; now, pray, in your Turn, give me your Reasons for yours, and tell me, were there no good Physicians in your Quarter, when you listed yourself for a Soldier, leaving a young Wife and Children at Home, and was hired for a pitiful Pay to cut Men’s Throats, and that with the Hazard of your own Life too?  For your Business did not lie among Mushrooms and Poppies, but armed Men.  What do you think is a more unhappy Way of living, for a poor Pay, to murder a Fellow Christian, who never did you Harm, and to run yourself Body and Soul into eternal Damnation?