L'Estrange: A Hermit and a Soldier.

There was a Holy Man, that took a Soldier to task, upon the Subject of his Profession, and laid before him the Hazard, the Sins, and the Troubles that attend People of that Trade: Wherefore, says he, for your Soul's Sake, Sir, pray give it over. Well! Father, says the Soldier, I'll do as you bid me; for really we are so ill paid, and there's so little to be gotten by Pillage, that I fancy I had e'en as good betake myself to a godly Life.

When People can live no longer by their Sins, 'tis high time for them to mend their Manners.

Source: L'Estrange 301.

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(not in Mille) (not in Perry)