Englands sickness, comparatively conferred with Israels Divided into two sermons, by ThoEnglands sicknes, comparatively conferred with Israels Diuided into two sermons, by Tho

3 The third is, Seducing a Churches Seers, and perverting the children of the Prophets, which is most commonly done, rather with error then with terror; by beguiling, then affrighting them, I have read, that Julians cruellest persecution was with rewards. How many have been wasted over the seas with golden hands? Promotion rather then devotion hath cast many on the shores of Rome. There lies an exorcism, an enchanting power in gold, that conjures many weak spirits into that superstitious circle. Then at last home they come, and prove caltrops to wound the Countries sides, that breed and feed them. Antichrists spell is gold; and they that will worship a piece of red earth, will not stick to adore that glorious Beast. Self-conceit blows them up with a swelling imagination of their own worth & if our church doth not (& numerare & munerare inter dignissimos) give regard & reward, estimation and recō pence according to their proud desires, they will shift Realm and Religion too, for a hoped guerdon. You will say, there is little loss to the body, in dropping off of such rotten members. It is true, that the damage is principally their own: yet what mother doth not grieve at the Apostasy of her children? There is some hope, whiles they are at home; little, when revolted to the enemy. Meantime, let it not be denied, but the seducers are persecutors, and great enemies to the Churches health.

3 The third is, Seducing a Churches Seers, and peruerting the children of the Prophets, which is most commonly done, rather with error then with terror; by beguiling, then affrighting them, I haue read, that Iulians cruellest persecution was with rewards. How many haue been wasted ouer the seas with golden hands? Promotion rather then deuotion hath cast many on the shores of Rome. There lies an exorcisme, an inchanting power in golde, that coniures many weake spirits into that superstitious circle. Then at last home they come, and proue calthropes to wound the Countries sides, that breed and feede them. Antichrists spel is gold; and they that will worshippe a peece of red earth, will not sticke to adore that glorious Beast. Selfe-conceite blowes them vp with a swelling imagination of their owne worth & if our church doth not (& numerare & munerare inter dignissimos) giue regard & reward, estimation and recō pence according to their proude desires, they will shift Realme and Religion too, for a hoped guerdon. You will say, there is little losse to the body, in dropping off of such rotten members. It is true, that the dammage is principally their owne: yet what mother doth not grieue at the Apostacy of her children? There is some hope, whiles they are at home; little, when reuolted to the enemy. Meanetime, let it not be denied, but the seducers are persecutors, and great enemies to the Churches health.