Secondly, I am to reprove such as chose to serve the times and not the Lord, that change their Religion with the times; That will be superstitious, if the times be superstitious, and devout or Atheistical, according to the times, whose Religion is like a piece of wax to be moulded into any frame, according as the times alter and change. Such were the Samaritans, that when the Jews were in prosperity would profess themselves to be of the Jewish Religion, but when the Jews were in adversity, they would disclaim them and their Religion. Many such Samaritans amongst us, that in King Edward the sixth's days turned Protestants, in Queen Mary's turned Papists, and in Queen Elizabeths days turned Protestants again. There are thousands in this age that are Time-servers and not God-servers. Many such Ministers, and many such Magistrates, many such people; I have much thought of two wicked speeches, too too much practised in these our days. The one is of a deep Politician. That it was good to follow the truth, but not too near at the heels, least it dash out our brains. There are many such that would be glad to seem to be religious, ⟨p. 20⟩and to own the cause of Religion, which is now asserted by the Parliament, but they are afraid to own it too publicly or too zealously, for fear it should hinder their preferment, and dash out the brains of their promotions. Another speech is that of the King of Navarre to Beza, That he would launch no farther into the Sea of Religion, then he might be sure to return safe into the Haven. This is the true picture of a Time-server, to dive no farther into the deeps of Religion, to appear no farther in this great cause of Religion, then he can be sure to save his estate, and to save his carcass. I read of the men of Issachar, That they were wise to understand the times, to know what Israel ought to do. 1It is wisdom to observe times, so as to know our duty. But it is damnable wickedness to serve the times and not the Lord, to ring changes as the times change.
Secondly, I am to reprove such as chose to serve the times and not the Lord, that change their Religion with the times; That will be superstitious, if the times be superstitious, and devout or Atheisticall, according to the times, whose Religion is like a peece of waxe to be moulded into any frame, according as the timesalter and change. Such were the Samaritans, that when the Jewes were in prosperity would professe themselves to be of the Jewish Religion, but when the Jewes were in adversity, they would disclaime them and their Religion. Many such Samaritans amongst us, that in King Edward the sixt's dayes turned Protestants, in Queene Maries turned Papists, and in Queen Elizabeths dayes turned Protestants againe. There are thousands in this age that are Time-servers and not God-servers. Many such Ministers, and many such Magistrates, many such people; I have much thought of two wicked speeches, too too much practised in these our dayes. The one is of a deepe Polititian. That it was good to follow the truth, but not too neare at the heeles, least it dash out our braines. There are many such that would be glad to seeme to be religious, ⟨p. 20⟩and to owne the cause of Religion, which is now asserted by the Parliament, but they are afraid to owne it too publikely or too zealously, for feare it should hinder their preferment, and dash out the braines of their promotions. Another speech is that of the King of Navarre to Beza, That he would launch no farther into the Sea of Religion, then he might be sure to returne safe into the Haven. This is the true picture of a Time-server, to dive no farther into the deepes of Religion, to appeare no farther in this great cause of Religion, then he can be sure to save his estate, and to save his carcasse. I read of the men of Issacar, That they were wise to understand the times, to know what Israel ought to doe. 1It is wisedome to observe times, so as to know our duty. But it is damnable wickednesse to serve the times and not the Lord, to ring changes as the times change.
- 11 Chron. 12. 31.
