JUVENTUS. Now for this godly knowledge which you have brought me to, I beseech the living God reward[73] you again: From your company I will never depart nor go, So long as in this life I do remain; For in this book I see manifest and plain, That he that followeth his own lusts and imagination, Keepeth the ready path to everlasting damnation: And he that leadeth[74] a godly conversation Shall be brought[75] to such quietness, joy, and peace, Which in comparison passeth all worldly gloriation, Which cannot endure, but shortly cease. Both the time and hour I may now bless, That I met with you, father Good Counsel, To bring me to the knowledge of this[76] heavenly gospel. KNOWLEDGE. This your profession I like very well, So that you intend to live according; I pray God, your living do not rebel, But ever agree unto your saying, That, when ye shall make accounts or reckoning, Of this talent which you have received, You may be one of those, with whom the Lord shall be pleased. GOOD COUNSEL. For this conversation of Youth the Lord's name be praised: Let us now depart for a season. [_Exit_.] KNOWLEDGE. To give God the glory it is convenient and reason: If you will depart, I will not tarry. [_Exit_.] JUVENTUS. And I will never forsake your company, While I live in this world. [_Exit_.[77] _Here entereth the_ DEVIL. O, O, all too late! I trow this gear will come to naught; For I perceive my power doth abate, For all the policy that ever I have wrought: Many and sundry ways I have fought, To have the Word of God deluded utterly; O for sorrow! yet it will not be. I have done the best that I can, And my mistress also in every place, To root it clean from the heart of man; And yet for all that it flourisheth apace; I am sore in dread to show my face, My auctority and works are so greatly despised, My inventions, and all that ever I have devised. O, O, full well I know the cause, That my estimation doth thus decay; The old people would believe still in my laws, But the younger sort lead them a contrary way; They will not believe, they plainly say, In old traditions and made by men, But they will live, as the Scripture teacheth them. Out, I cry, upon them, they do me open wrong, To bring up their children thus in knowledge; For, if they will not follow my ways, when, they are young, It is hard turning them when they come to age: I must needs find some means this matter to 'suage; I mean, to turn their hearts from the Scripture quite, That in carnal pleasures they may have more delight. Well, I will go haste[78] to infect this youth Through the enticement of my son Hypocrisy, And work some proper feat to stop his mouth, That he may lead his life carnally: I had never more need my matters to apply. O my child Hypocrisy, where art thou? I charge thee of my blessing appear before me now. [_Here entereth_ HYPOCRISY.