A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…

or they are like the Buskins ⟨p. 164⟩anciently used in Tragedies,¹ that would serve either leg alike; they are as fit for one society as another; or like the Players that used them, such as acting Princely parts, wear royal apparel, keep state, and demean themselves gravely and soberly,² so long as they are in public view upon the Stage; but when they have done acting, are no sooner off the stage, but they pass presently into another habit, and retain neither Princely behaviour nor apparel, but are most beggarly, base and debauched, either in private among themselves, or among their companions like themselves. Unsound hearts can accommodate themselves to the times, and comply with them what ever they be; with Proteus they will transform themselves into all shapes, as the times change so will they; what the times favour, that they will favour; what the times commend, that they will commend; what the times cry up and admire, that they will cry up and admire; and what the times frown upon and condemn, that they will frown upon and condemn. Look as curious and well-drawn Pictures seem to turn their eyes every way, and to smile upon every one that looks upon them; so these can turn with the times, they can look as the times look, and smile as the times smile, they can say with the times, and sail with the times; sometimes they can act one part, and sometimes another part, as the times require; if the times require a large profession, they can make it; if the times be speak them to leave their Religion at the Church door, they can leave it. But now, a sincere Christian, he will labour to be so much the more gracious, by how much the more the times are licentious. A sincere Christian is like gold; if you cast it into the fire, it will not waste; if you throw it into the water, it will not rust, it will retain its own purity and excellency, wherever you dispose of it. But

or they are like the Buskins ⟨p. 164⟩anciently used in Tragedies,¹ that would serve either leg alike; they are as fit for one society as another; or like the Players that used them, such as acting Princely parts, wear royal apparel, keep state, and demean themselves gravely and soberly,