The monster of sinful self-seeking, anatomized together with a description of the heavenly and…The monster of sinful self-seeking, anatomizd together with a description of the heavenly and…

3. The third sort of those who are guilty of this sinful self-seeking are such who pretend to seek the things of Christ, but seek their own things, under colour of seeking the things of Christ, who hold forth the preservation and propagation of Religion as a stalking horse, to catch men by, as a blind to deceive the ⟨p. 26⟩world; but aim a• nothing less then Religion, but either with Demetrius at their own gain, or with Jehu at the obtaining of a Kingdom, or with Balaam at the wages of iniquity. This sin of self-seeking is so odious both to God and Man, that it never appears upon the stage in its own likeness, but always covered over with Samuel's mantle: There is no sin hath more [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew], Fig leaves and religious cloaks to cover it, then this sin. By this means the Pope of Rome hath purchased his triple Crown; It is said Rev. 13. 11. that Antichrist should have two horns like a Lamb, but yet act like a Dragon, signifying unto us, that Antichrist should under colour of Religion, act all his villainies, and bloody Massacres, and by this means deceive all the world. Therefore Antichristianism is called a Mystery of iniquity, that is, iniquity covered over with fair shows and pretences of godliness; What Murders, what Treasons hath not the Pope committed under the colour of defending the Catholic Religion? under pretence of being Peters successor, and of having •eters keys, and chair? Witness the holy league (as it was called) in France; witness the Gunpowder treason amongst us, undertaken under show of Religion, for the defence of the Catholic cause.

3. The third sort of those who are guilty of this sinfull selfe-seeking are such who pretend to seek the things of Christ, but seek their owne things, under colour of seeking the things of Christ, who hold forth the preservation and propagation of Religion as a stalking horse, to catch men by, as a blinde to deceive the ⟨p. 26⟩world; but aime a• nothing lesse then Religion, but either with Demetrius at their owne gaine, or with Jehu at the obtaining of a Kingdome, or with Balaam at the wages of iniquity. This sinne of selfe-seeking is so odious both to God and Man, that it never appeares upon the stage in its owne likenesse, but alwaies covered over with Samuels mantle: There is no sinne hath more and , Figleaves and religious cloaks to cover it, then this sinne. By this meanes the Pope of Rome hath purchased his triple Crowne; It is said