Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity,…

I have written the History of the Bishops, and Councils of former Ages, in which, with their virtues, I have opened their miscarriages: some blame it, as if it were uncovering their nakedness. But I have said nothing but what is openly proclaimed of them long ago, by their own greatest flatterers; and it was Christ himself that said Remember Lot 's Wife: The Pit which so many have fallen into, must be uncovered, and God, and Holiness must be honoured, rather than those that dishonour them by sin: Sin confessed and forsaken, is not so dangerous, as sin denied, and extenuated: He that hideth it, shall not prosper. Sin is a reproach to any people, Pro. 14.34. and 6.33. Even God that forgiveth it to the penitent, will shame it, to keep others from ⟨p. 125⟩committing it. He that minceth, or hideth it, tempteth others to imitate it.

I have written the History of the Bishops, and Councils of former Ages, in which, with their virtues, I have opened their miscarriages: some blame it, as if it were uncovering their nakedness. But I have said nothing but what is openly proclaimed of them long agoe, by their own greatest flatterers; and it was Christ himself that said Remember Lot 's Wife: The Pit which so many have fallen into, must be uncovered, and God, and Holyness must be honoured, rather than those that dishonour them by sin: Sin confessed and forsaken, is not so dangerous, as sin denyed, and extenuated: He that hideth it, shall not prosper. Sin is a reproach to any people, Pro. 14.34. and 6.33. Even God that forgiveth it to the penitent, will shame it, to keep others from ⟨p. 125⟩committing it. He that minceth, or hideth it, tempteth others to imitate it.