Now I saw in my dream, that Christian and Hopeful forsook him, and kept
their distance before him; but one of them, looking back, saw three men
following Mr. By-ends; and, behold, as they came up with him, he made them a
very low congee; and they also gave him a compliment. The men’s names were, Mr.
Hold-the-world, Mr. Money-love, and Mr. Save-all, men that Mr. By-ends had
formerly been acquainted with; for in their minority they were schoolfellows,
and taught by one Mr. Gripeman, a schoolmaster in Lovegain, which is a
market-town in the county of Coveting, in the North. This Schoolmaster taught
them the art of getting, either by violence, cozenage, flattering, lying, or by
putting on a guise of religion; and these four gentlemen had attained much of
the art of their master, so that they could each of them have kept such a
school themselves.
Well, when they
had, as I said, thus saluted each other, Mr. Money-love said to Mr. By-ends,
Who are they upon the road before us? For Christian and Hopeful were yet within
view.
By-Ends: They are
a couple of far country-men, that, after their mode, are going on pilgrimage.
Mr. Money-Love:
Alas! why did they not stay, that we might have had their good company? for
they, and we, and you, sir, I hope, are all going on pilgrimage.
By-Ends: We are
so, indeed; but the men before us are so rigid, and love so much their own
notions, and do also so lightly esteem the opinions of others, that let a man
be ever so godly, yet if he jumps not with them in all things, they thrust him
quite out of their company.
Mr. Save-All:
That is bad; but we read of some that are righteous overmuch, and such men’s
rigidness prevails with them to judge and condemn all but themselves. But I
pray, what, and how many, were the things wherein you differed?
By-Ends: Why,
they, after their headstrong manner, conclude that it is their 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 be 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 silver slippers, in the sunshine, and with
applause.
Mr.
Hold-the-World: Aye, 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 while the sun shines. You see how the bee lieth still in 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.
Mr. Save-All: I
think that we are all agreed in this matter; and therefore there needs no more
words about it.
Mr. 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.
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, etc., 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 extraordinary zealous in some
points of religion that he meddled not with before; may he not use this means
to attain his end, and yet be a right honest man?
Mr. Money-Love: I
see the bottom of your question; and with these gentlemen’s good leave, I will
endeavor to shape you an answer. And first, to speak to your question as it
concerneth 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 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 why a man may not do this, provided he has a call, aye, and
more a great deal besides, and yet be an honest man. For why?
1. His desire of
a greater benefice is lawful, (this 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,
etc., 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
his complying with the temper of his people, by deserting, to serve them, some
of his principles, this argueth, 1. That he is of a self-denying temper. 2. Of
a sweet and winning deportment. And, 3. 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 as 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.
