Con. You must prevent these Things as much as you can; and if you cannot hinder them, however, do not for Profit’s Sake encourage or draw on these Wickednesses.

Innk. Sometimes I don’t deal very honestly as to my Wine.

Con. Wherein?

Innk. When I find my Guests grow a little too hot, I put more Water into the Wine.

Con. That’s a smaller Fault than selling of Wine made up with unwholsome Ingredients.

Innk. But tell me truly, how many Days have you been in this Journey?

Con. Almost a Month.

Innk. Who takes Care of you all the While?

Con. Are not they taken Care enough of, that have a Wife, and Children, and Parents, and Kindred?

Innk. Oftentimes.

Con. You have but one Wife, we have an hundred; you have but one Father, we have an hundred; you have but one House, we have an hundred; you have but a few Children, we have an innumerable Company; you have but a few Kindred, we have an infinite Number.

Innk. How so?

Con. Because the Kindred of the Spirit extends more largely, than the Kindred of the Flesh:  So Christ has promised, and we experience the Truth of what he has promised.

Innk. In Troth, you have been a good Companion for me; let me die if I don’t like this Discourse better than to drink with our Parson.  Do us the Honour to preach to the People to-morrow, and if ever you happen to come this Way again, know that here’s a Lodging for you.

Con. But what if others should come?

Innk. They shall be welcome, if they be but such as you.

Con. I hope they will be better.

Innk. But among so many bad ones, how shall I know which are good?

Con. I’ll tell you in a few Words, but in your Ear.

Innk. Tell me.

Con.---------

Innk. I’ll remember it, and do it.

The ABBOT and LEARNED WOMAN.

The ARGUMENT.

A certain Abbot paying a Visit to a Lady, finds her reading Greek and Latin Authors.  A Dispute arises, whence Pleasantness of Life proceeds: viz. Not from external Enjoyments, but from the Study of Wisdom.  An ignorant Abbot will by no Means have his Monks to be learned; nor has he himself so much as a single Book in his Closet.  Pious Women in old Times gave their Minds to the Study of the Scriptures; but Monks that hate Learning, and give themselves up to Luxury, Idleness, and Hunting, are provok’d to apply themselves to other Kinds of Studies, more becoming their Profession.

ANTRONIUS, MAGDALIA.

Ant. What Sort of Houshold-Stuff do I see?

Mag. Is it not that which is neat?