A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

For use of this point to our selves; let us turn our minds from Fables to serve the living God. The world indeed is too much addicted to fables. Mic. 2.11. If a man walking in the spirit of falsehood do lie; he shall even be the prophet of this people. If a man tell you that the keeping of the Sabbath is but a ceremonial office, this is a Fable; yet you embrace it. If another tell you, that all dues belonging to the Church are arbitrary: that no Tithes are requirable, but a Benevolence; this is a cunningly devised fable: yet received with that impudent precipice of judgement, that it is given out bravely, there is not a Minister in England can disprove it. Alas, what arguments should poor Ministers give, when the plain Text of that GOD who shall judge them, is despised! Let GOD and man say what they will; they have extorted our means, and they will keep it. Let it be told you, that you shall never give account of your unjust and usurious gains, though you never make restitution; this is a monstrous Fable, yet readily believed and admitted. For the Stage-fables, how lawful or unlawful they be, I will not here determine: he that goes to see a Play, intends not to see a Truth, but a Fable: a moral presented to his eye, that should convey some profitable document to his heart. But that some should say, they can learn more good at a Play, than at a Sermon; this is a wretched blasphemy, able to rot out the tongue of a Christian. The true purpose of Poems and Fables, is both Delectare & prodesse, to refresh the mind with delight, and to be• ter it with profit. When one accused the Comical Poet, that he brought a lewd and deboshed Ruffian on the Stage, and so gave bad example to young men. He answered; True, I brought such a man on, but I hanged him before he went off: and so gave good example to young men. Saint Augustine doth exceedingly condemn the stage of the Heathens; and upon good cause, for it was bloody; the Actors slaying and butchering one another. So as Abner said to Joab, 2 Sam. 2.14. Let the young men arise, and play before us. He called it Playing, when every one thrust his sword in his fellows side. For them that seek to defend it thus: because Cities are populous, and where are many men, are many lewd men: if their time were not spent so, it would be spent worse.

For use of this point to our selves; let us turne our mindes from Fables to serve the living God. The world indeed is too much addicted to fables.