devised, designed, and abominable Roguery, such that will yet
declare him to be a most desperate sinner.

The thing was this: A Wife he wanted, or rather Money; for as for
a woman, he could have Whores enow at his whistle. But, as I said,
he wanted Money, and that must be got by a Wife, or no way; nor
could he so easily get a Wife neither, except he became an Artist
at the way of dissembling; nor would dissembling do among that
people that could dissemble as well as he. But there dwelt a Maid
not far from him, that was both godly, {70e} and one that had a
good Portion, but how to get her, there lay all the craft. {71a}
Well, he calls a Council of some of his most trusty and cunning
Companions, {71b} and breaks his mind to them; to wit, that he had
a mind to marry: and he also told them to whom; But, said he, how
shall I accomplish my end, she is Religious, and I am not? Then
one of them made reply, saying, Since she is Religious, you must
pretend to be so likewise, and that for some time before you go to
her: Mark therefore whither she goes daily to hear, and do you go
thither also; but there you must be sure to behave your self
soberly, and make as if you liked the Word wonderful well; stand
also where she may see you, and when you come home, be sure that
you walk the street very soberly, and go within sight of her: This
done for a while, then go to her, and first talk of how sorry you
are for your sins, and shew great love to the Religion that she is
of; still speaking well of her Preachers and of her godly
acquaintance, bewailing your hard hap, that it was not your lot to
be acquainted with her and her fellow-Professors sooner; and this
is the way to get her. Also you must write down Sermons, talk of
Scriptures, and protest that you came a wooing to her, only because
she is Godly, and because you should count it your greatest