Jonathan shot †three Arrows, to drive David further off from Saul's fury: And this is the third Epistle which I have written to draw your Highness nearer to God's favour, by directing your heart to begin (like Josiah) in your* youth to seek after the God David, (and of Jacob) your Father. Not but that ⟨image 5⟩I know, that your Highness doth this without mine admonition; but because I *would with the Apostle have you to abound in every grace, in faith and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to Gods Service and true Religion. Never was there more need of plain and unfeigned admonition: for the Comic, in that saying, seems but to have prophesied of our times, Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit. And no marvel, seeing that we are fallen into the dregs of Time, which being the last, must needs be the worst days. And how can there be worse, seeing Vanity knows not how to be vainer, nor Wickedness how to be more wicked? And whereas heretofore those have been counted most holy, who have showed themselves most zealous in their Religion;4 they are now reputed most discreet, who can make the least profession of their Faith.5 And that these are the last days, appears evidently; because the security of mens eternal state hath so overwhelmed ⟨image 5⟩(as Christ foretold it should) all sorts: that most who now live, are become lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God: and of those who pretend to love God, O God! what sanctified heart can but bleed, to behold how seldom they come to prayers? how irreverently they hear God's Word? what strangers they are at the Lord's Table: what assiduous spectators they are at Stage-plays? where (being Christians) they can sport themselves to hear the Vassals of the* Devil scoffing religion, and blasphemously abusing Phrases of holy Scripture on their Stages, as familiarly as they use their Tobacco-pipes in their bibbing-houses. So that he who would now •days seek in most Christians for the power, shall scarce almost find the very show of godliness. Never was there more sinning, never less remorse for sin. Never was the Judge †nearer to come, never was there so little preparation for his coming. And if the Bridegroom should now come, how many (who think them ⟨image 6⟩selves wise enough, and full of all knowledge) would be found foolish Virgins,8 without one drop of the Oil of saving Faith in their Lamps?
Jonathan shot †three Arrows, to drive David further off from Saul's fury: And this is the third Epistle which I have written to draw your Highness nearer to God's favour, by directing your heart to begin (like Josiah) in your* youth to seek after the God David, (and of Jacob) your Father. Not but that ⟨image 5⟩I know, that your Highness doth this without mine admonition; but because I *would with the Apostle have you to abound in every grace, in faith and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to Gods Service and true Religion. Never was there more need of plain and unfeigned admonition: for the Comick, in that saying, seems but to have prophesied of our times, Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit. And no marvel, seeing that we are fallen into the dregs of Time, which being the last, must needs be the worst days. And how can there be worse, seeing Vanity knows not how to be vainer, nor Wickedness how to be more wicked? And whereas heretofore those have been counted most holy, who have shewed themselves most zealous in their Religion;4 they are now reputed most discreet, who can make the least profession of their Faith.5 And that these are the last days, appears evidently; because the security of mens eternal state hath so overwhelmed ⟨image 5⟩(as Christ foretold it should) all sorts: that most who now live, are become lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God: and of those who pretend to love God, O God! what sanctified heart can but bleed, to behold how seldom they come to prayers? how irreverently they hear God's Word? what strangers they are at the Lord's Table: what assiduous spectators they are at Stage-plays? where (being Christians) they can sport themselves to hear the Vassals of the* Devil scoffing religion, and blasphemously abusing Phrases of holy Scripture on their Stages, as familiarly as they use their Tobacco-pipes in their bibing-houses. So that he who would now •days seek in most Christians for the power, shall scarce almost find the very shew of godliness. Never was there more sinning, never less remorse for sin. Never was the Judge
- †1 Sam. 20. 20.
- *2 Chron. 34. 3.
- *Qui monet ut facias, quod jam facis, ipse mone• do Laudat, & hortatu comprobat acta suo. 2 Cor. 8. 7.
- 4Matth. 15. 1.
- 52. Tim. 2. 4.
- *Exemplum accidit▪ mulieris, Domino teste, quae Theatrum adiit, & inde cum daemonio ••diit. Itaque in exorcismo cùm oneraretur immundus spiritus quod ausus est fidelem aggredi: constanter & justissimè quidem (inquit) feci: In meo eam inveni. Tert. de spect▪ lib. cap. 26. Therefore Tert. in cap. 6. calls the Stage, Diaboli Ecclesiam, & Cathedram postilentiarum.
- †Jam. 5. 9. Rev. 11. 20.
- 8Matth 25. 8.
