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endeavour to shape you an answer: and first, to speak to your question as it concerns a minister. Suppose a minister, a worthy man, poffeffed but of a very fmall benefice, and has in his eye a greater, more fat and plump by far, and he has now an opportunity of getting it, by being more ftudious, by preaching more frequently and zealously, and, because the temper of the people requires it, by altering fome of his principles; for my part, I fee no reafon but a man may do this (provided he has a call); ay, and may do a great deal more befides, and yet be an honeft man. For why?

Firft, His defire of a greater benefice is lawful (this cannot be contradicted), fince it is fet before him by Providence; fo that he may get it if he can, making no question for conscience-fake. Secondly, Befides, his defire after that benefice makes him more ftudious, a more zealous preacher, &c, and fo makes him a better man, yea, makes him improve his parts, which is according to the mind of God. Thirdly, As for his complying with the temper of his people, by deferting fome of his principles to serve his turn, this argueth, 1. That he is of a felf-denying temper. 2. That he is of a sweet and winning deportment. 3. That he is more fit for the ministerial function. Fourthly, I conclude then, that a minister who changes a small living for a great one, should not, for fo doing, be judged as covetous; but rather, fince he is improved in his parts and industry hereby, he should be counted as

one

one who purfues his call, and the opportunity put into his hands of doing good.

And now to the second part of the question, which concerns the tradesman you mentioned. Suppose fuch a one to have but a poor employ in the world, and, by becoming religious, he may mend his market, perhaps get a rich wife, or more or better customers to his fhop: for my part, I fee no reason but this may be lawfully done. For why? 1. To become religious is a virtue, by what means foever a man becomes fo. 2. Nor is it unlawful to get a rich wife, or more custom to my fhop. 3. Befides, the man who gets these by becoming religious, gets that which is good of them who are good, by becoming good himself; fo then, here is a good wife, good customers, good gain, and all these by becoming religious, which is good: therefore, to become religious to get all these, is a good and profitable defign.

This anfwer, thus made by this Mr. Money-love to Mr. By-ends's question, was highly applauded by them all; wherefore they concluded, upon the whole, that this was most wholesome and advantageous. And because, as they thought, no man was able to contradict it, and because Chriftian and Hopeful were yet within call, they jointly agreed to affault them with the queftion as foon as they overtook them; and the rather because they had oppofed Mr. By-ends before. So they called after them, and they stopt, and stood still till they came up to them;

but

but they concluded, as they went, that not Mr. Bya ends, but old Mr. Hold-the-World should propound the question to them, because, as they fuppofed, their answer to him would be without the remainder of that heat which was kindled between Mr. By-ends and them, at their parting a little before.

So they came up to each other, and after a fhort falutation, Mr. Hold-the-World propounded the queftion to Chriftian and his fellow, and bad them answer it if they could.

Then faid Christian, Even a babe in religion may answer ten thousand fuch questions. For, if it be unlawful to follow Chrift for loaves, as it is, John vi. how much more abominable is it to make of him and religion a stalking-horse, thereby to get and enjoy the world? Nor do we find any other than heathens, hypocrites, devils, and witches, who are of this opinione. 1. Heathens; for when Hamor and Sechem had a mind to the daughter and cattle of Jacob, and faw that there was no way to come at them, but by becoming circumcifed, they said to their com→ panions, If every male of us be circumcifed, as they are circumcifed, fhall not their cattle, and their fubftance, and every beaft of theirs, be ours? Their daughters and their cattle were that which they

• Let me recommend this answer to the serious confideration of those who set up for Preachers of the Gospel without a clear and special call to the work, and leave their lawful calling and worldly occupations to make merchandise of fouls. fwarms of fuch locusts are there in this day!

What

fought

fought to obtain, and religion was the stalking-horse they made ufe of to come at them. Read the whole story, Gen. xxxiv. 20, 21, 22, 23. 2. The hypocritical Pharifees were also of this religion: long prayers were their pretence; but to get widows' houses was their intent. Greater damnation was

their judgment from God. Luke xx. 46, 47.

3. Judas the devil was alfo of this religion; he was religious for the bag, that he might be poffeffed of what was therein; but he was loft, caft away, and the very son of perdition. 4. Simon the witch was of this religion too; for he would have had the Holy Ghost, that he might have got money therewith: his fentence from Peter's mouth was according, Acts viii. 19, 20, 21, 22. 5. Neither will it go out of my mind, but that the man who takes up religion for the world, will throw away religion for the world; for fo furely as Judas defigned the world in becoming religious, fo furely did he also fell religion and his Master for the fame. To answer the question therefore affirmatively, as I perceive you have done, and to accept of, as authentic, fuch anfwer, is both heathenish, hypocritical, and devilish: and your reward will be according to your works.

Then they stood ftaring one upon another, but had not wherewith to answer Chriftian. Hopeful alfo approved of the foundnefs of Chriftian's anfwer; fo there was a great filence among them. Mr. Byends and his company also staggered and kept be

hind, that Chriftian and Hopeful might out-go then. Then faid Chriftian to his fellow, If these men cannot stand before the fentence of men, what will they do with the fentence of God? And if they are mute when dealt with by veffels of clay, what will they do when they shall be rebuked by the flames of a devouring fire?

Then Christian and Hopeful out-went them again, and went till they came at a delicate plain, called Eafe, where they went with much content; but that plain was but narrow, fo they quickly got over it. Now, at the farther fide of that plain was a little hill.. called Lucre, and in that hill a filver mine, which fome of them who had formerly gone that way, because of the rarity of it, had turned afide to fee; but, going too near the brink of the pit, the ground, being deceitful under them, broke, and they were flain. Some alfo had been maimed there, and could not, to their dying day, be their own men again.

Then I faw, in my dream, that a little off the road, over against the filver mine, ftood Demas (gentleman-like) to call paffengers to come and fee; who faid to Chriftian and his fellow, Ho, turn afide hither, and I will fhew you fomething.

Chr. What thing fo deferving as to turn us out of the way?

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

Hope.

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