What signifies all earthly riches and honour,
if one enjoys not content? and, hereafter, there is no respect of
persons. Better be a poor honest barber with a good conscience, and
time to repent of my sins upon my death-bed, than be cut off (God
bless us!) by a musket-shot, as it were in the very flower of one's
age, in the pursuit of riches and fame. What signify riches, my
dear friend? do they not make unto themselves wings and fly away?
as the wise man saith. I could also mention many other sayings in
contempt of riches, both from the Bible and other good books; but
I know you are not very fond of those things, I shall only assure
you, that if you take on to be a soldier, I will do the same; and
then if we should both be slain, you will not only have your own
blood to answer for, but mine also: and peradventure the lives
of all those whom we shall kill in battle. Therefore I pray you,
consider whether you will sit down contented with small things and
share the fruits of my industry in peace, till Providence shall
send better tidings; or, by your despair, plunge both our souls
and bodies into everlasting perdition, which God of his infinite
mercy forbid!" I could not help smiling at this harangue, which was
delivered with great earnestness, the tears standing in his eyes
all the time, and promised to do nothing of that sort without his
consent and concurrence.
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