Discourses, or, Sermons on several Scriptures

I need not mention what Tropes and Metaphors Men have found out to talk lasciviously by; almost every one is perfect in that piece of Rhetoric: Nor what strange, monstrous Lies some will aver openly, to raise either Mirth or Wonder in Company. And that which is worst of all is, that now the Holy Bible is become a mere Jest Book with them, a Common Place ⟨p. 19⟩for Wit, and merry Discourse; and the Devil again speaks Scripture out of these Men's Mouths; they know no more of it, than what they abuse; and all their Meditations and Comments upon it, are only how such and such Passages may be ingeniously perverted, and turned into Burlesque, to heighten the Mirth of the next profane Company they meet. Impious Wretches, that dare to violate the most tremendous Mysteries of Religion, and expose their God to Scorn, his Oracles to Contempt, and their own Souls to Eternal Perdition; only for a little Grinning and Sneering of a Company of vain; yea, mad Fools, who think they commence Wits by applauding Blasphemy! But these Wits, as they are profane and impious, so they prove ⟨p. 20⟩themselves very Fools, thus to sport themselves to death: Their Laughter is rather spasmical and convulsive, than joyous; a Risus Sardonicus, caused by Venom and Poison: They go down merrily to Hell, and frolic themselves into Perdition.

I need not mention what Tropes and Metaphors Men have found out to talk lasciviously by; almost every one is perfect in that piece of Rhetorick: Nor what strange, monstrous Lies some will aver openly, to raise either Mirth or Wonder in Company. And that which is worst of all is, that now the Holy Bible is become a mere Jest Book with them, a Common Place ⟨p. 19⟩for Wit, and merry Discourse; and the Devil again speaks Scripture out of these Men's Mouths; they know no more of it, than what they abuse; and all their Meditations and Comments upon it, are only how such and such Passages may be ingeniously perverted, and turned into Burlesque, to heighten the Mirth of the next profane Company they meet. Impious Wretches, that dare to violate the most tremendous Mysteries of Religion, and expose their God to Scorn, his Oracles to Contempt, and their own Souls to Eternal Perdition; only for a little Grinning and Sneering of a Company of vain; yea, mad Fools, who think they commence Wits by applauding Blasphemy! But these Wits, as they are profane and impious, so they prove