Consciences of State or Interest.
Bum. Well, but I see a great many very Consciencious men that love to Pray and Sing Psalms next the Street, that their Neighbours may hear 'um; and go up and down shaking of their [Heads], and wringing of their Hands, crying out of the Calves of Bethel, and the High places, Popery, Prelacy, and the Common-Prayer, in such a manner, that 'twould grieve a bodies heart to see 'um.
Citt. These are Consciencious men Bumpkin, and this is the Conscience of State or Profit, that I told ye of.
Bum. Ay, but I have seen some men in Fits of the Spirit, Jump, and fling about a Pulpit so desperately, that they set the children a crying to have 'um let out. One while they'd raise themselves upon their Tip-toes, and Roar out upon a suddain, you'd have thought they had been pinch'd with Hot Irons; and then all in an Instant, they'd Dop down again, that ye could hardly see 'um; And so fall into a faint, lamenting Voice, like the Grone of a poor woman three quarters spent in Labour. Nay there was One of 'um that gap'd, and held his mouth open so long, that People cry'd out, The man has a Bone in his Throat. Those must needs be very Consciencious Men, Citt.
Citt. They are so Bumpkin, but 'tis the same Conscience still; for it works all manner of ways. We took up this Mode I suppose, from the Transports, and Grimaces of the Pagan Priests, in the Ceremony of their Sacrifices, which had a very effectual operation upon the People.
Bum. Nay Citt, these Men have a Holy way of Language too, as well as of Behaviour, for all their Talk is of Heaven, and Heavenly things, the Saints and the New Jerusalem; they deal mightily, in Expositions upon the Viols, and the Little Horn: and then they are bitterly severe against Wicked Magistrates, and those that Lord it over Gods Heritage. They are in fine a very Consciencious sort of People.
Citt. Oh beyond question so they are: But this is still a Branch of the same Conscience. I have known indeed some people so Transported with this same Talkative Holiness, that it has been a kind of Spiritual Salivation to 'um, they continue spitting when they have not one drop of Moisture left 'um in their Bodies.
Bum. Prethee Citt, tell me in Honest English, where shall a body finde the simple, and the Religious Consciences thou told'st me of?
Not many Religious Consciences.
Citt. Why every man living has the Former of 'um, but takes no notice on't: But for the Latter sort, 'tis very scarce; and you shall find more of it perhaps in one Jayle, or in one Hospital, then in all the Courts of Christendom. It is commonly the Blessing of men in years, in sicknesse, or in adversity.