The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

though all other men are against them — but I am for religion only so
far as the times, and my safety, will bear it. They are for religion even
when it is contemptible and in rags — but I am for religion only when it
walks in golden slippers, in the sunshine, and with applause."
MR. HOLD-THE-WORLD: "Exactly, good Mr. By-ends! For my part, I
count him to be a fool, who, 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 when the sun shines. You see how the bee lies still all winter,
and bestirs itself only when it can have profit with pleasure. God
sometimes sends rain — and sometimes sunshine. If they are such fools
to go through the storm — yet let us be content to only travel in fair
weather.
"For my part, the religion that I like the best, allows us to have God's
earthly blessings. For it is only reasonable, that since God has bestowed
upon us the good things of this life — 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 we must never be as the
men ahead of us — if they are as you have described them.”
MR. SAVE-ALL: "I think that we are all agreed on this matter — and
therefore we need no more discussion about it."
MR. MONEY-LOVE: "Indeed, we need no more discussion about this
matter! For the one who believes neither Scripture nor reason — and
you see that we have both on our side — neither knows his own liberty,
nor seeks his own safety.”
BY-ENDS: "My brethren, as you know, we are all going on pilgrimage.
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