Theo. Thou touchest now a disease, which at this day reigneth more then ever it did, yea, and that amongst such as bear ⟨image 96⟩the name of Christians, which is the cause that we have so many Libertine Atheists,1 who scorn and laugh at all Religions. And although they are not in trueth, settled in any Religion, yet forsooth they would not he thought to be utterly void of Religion. And therefore, because they are of no religion, they are nevertheless of all Religions, in what Countries soever they come unto. For, they shoot at none other mark, but temporizing, or serving of times, with every man, a Papist amongst Papists, an Epicure with Epicures, an Atheist, with Atheists, and to be short, a Devil amongst Devils, for they will not be disquieted either in body or mind neither yet hazard either body or goods. And therefore, they will not greatly frame them selves neither after Jesus Christ, nor after the Pope, neither after the Gospel, nor after the Mass, nor yet after any controversy that is at this day for Religion amongst Christians, without perhaps some of them sustain some particular loss thereby. For, if either gain, or loss fall out unto them on either side, they will counterfeit zeal in that Religion which they think ⟨image 97⟩will be most for their profit, and which they suppose will best agree with that, which they desire to have here in this life, as we have a manifest example, chiefly, in the Prelates and Beneficed men of the Popish Church. For, if they did believe that there were a GOD in heaven, and any true religion, whereby their life and conversation ought to be governed, and that they should render an account thereof in the day of Judgement, they would surely, be other manner of men, then in deed they are. Howbeit, they right well show, as well by their doctrine, as also by their life and conversation, that they have as much mind of God, as have brute beasts, and do as much esteem of the immortality of their souls, as of the souls of their horses and mules. And therefore, all the zeal which they have to their Religion, proceedeth not from any love which they bear thereunto, but only to the honours, and great wealth which cometh unto them thereby.
Theo. Thou touchest now a disease, which at this day raygneth more then euer it did, yea, and that amongst such as beare ⟨image 96⟩the name of Christians, which is the cause that we haue so many Libertine Atheistes,1 who scorne and laughe at all Religions. And although they are not in trueth, setled in any Religion, yet forsooth they woulde not hee thought to be vtterly voyde of Religion. And therefore, because they are of no religion, they are neuerthelesse of all Religions, in what Countries soeuer they come vnto. For, they shoote at none other marke, but temporizing, or seruing of times, with euery man, a Papist amongst Papistes, an Epicure with Epicures, an Atheist, with Atheistes, and to be shorte, a Diuel amongst Diuels, for they wil not be disquieted eyther in body or mynd neyther yet hazarde eyther bodye or goodes. And therefore, they will not greatly frame them selues neyther after Iesus Christe, nor after the Pope, neyther after the Gospell, nor after the Masse, nor yet after any controuersie that is at this day for Religion amōgst Christians, without perhaps some of them sustaine some particular losse therby. For, if eyther gayne, or losse fall out vnto them on eyther side, they will counterfayte zeale in that Religion whiche they thinke ⟨image 97⟩will bee moste for their profite, and whiche they suppose will beste agree with that, which they desire to haue heere in this life, as wee haue a manifest example, chiefly, in the Prelates and Beneficed men of the Popishe Churche. For, if they did beleeue that there were a GOD in heauen, and anye true religion, whereby their life and conuersation ought to bee gouerned, and that they shoulde render an accounte thereof in the day of Iudgement, they woulde surely, be other maner of men, then in deede they are. Howebeit, they right well shew, as wel by their doctrine, as also by their life and conuersation, that they haue as much mynde of God, as haue bruite beastes, and doe as muche esteeme of the immortality of their soules, as of the soules of their horses and moyles. And therfore, all the zeale which they haue to their Religion, proceedeth not from any loue whiche they beare thereunto, but onelye to the honours, and greate wealth whiche commeth vnto them thereby.
- 1Libertine Atheists.
