Instructions for a right comforting afflicted consciences with special antidotes against some grievous temptationsInstructions for a right comforting afflicted consciences with speciall antidotes against some grievous temptations

2. He helps all he can, to have them thrive and prosper by oppression, usury, simony, sacrilege, bribery, covetousness, cozening, Machiavellian tricks, &c. That so His service may seem more sweet and gainful unto them. To the effecting whereof He receives notable assistance, and special advantage from the corruptions of the times, and conscionable simplicity of the Saints. For the first, These worst and ulcerous times, wherein so many Vines, Olive-trees, and Fig-trees wither away in obscurity; and so many Brambles brave it abroad in the world, tumbling themselves in the pleasures, splendour and glory of the present; wherein so many brave Princes are walking as servants upon the earth; and too many servants of luxury and pride are mounted on horse-back; I say they are the only season, for Satan to gratify all▪ His graceless Ones; and to hoist them up by the common, but accursed stairs and stirrups of bribing, baseness, temporising, ill offices to humour greatness, and other such vile means, and accommodations, into eminency in the world, and high rooms; where he keeps them in a golden captivity with great contentment, and locks them full fast in the Scorners chair, with much security to their own sensual hearts; and notorious service to ⟨p. 96⟩Himself. Whereas indeed and truth to men that have eyes in their Heads the ascent is slippery, the Top shaking, the downfall desperate. For the second; It is incredible to consider, what a deal of advantage in worldly dealings, the covetous Dwell in a cruel and crafty worldling, doth suck out of the single-heartednesse, plain dealing & un-suspiciousness, of conscionable men, for their rising & enriching, if God cross it not.

2. Hee helpes all hee can, to have them thrive and prosper by oppression, usury, simony, sacriledge, bribery, covetousnesse, cousoning, Machiavellian tricks, &c. That so His service may seeme more sweete and gainefull unto them. To the effecting whereof Hee receives notable assistance, and speciall advantage from the corruptions of the times, and conscionable simplicity of the Saints. For the first, These worst and ulcerous times, wherein so many Vines, Olive-trees, and Figge-trees wither away in obscurity; and so many Brambles brave it abroad in the world, tumbling themselves in the pleasures, splendour and glory of the present; wherein so many brave Princes are walking as servants upon the earth; and too many servants of luxurie and pride are mounted on horse-backe; I say they are the onely season, for Satan to gratifie all His gracelesse Ones; and to hoist them up by the common, but accursed staires and stirrops of bribing, basenesse, temporising, ill offices to humour greatnesse, and other such vile meanes, and accommodations, into eminency in the world, and high roomes; where hee keepes them in a golden captivity with great contentment, and lockes them full fast in the Scorners chaire, with much securitie to their owne sensuall hearts; and notorious service to