And therefore, when they see them selves in danger to loose them, they either become manifest black devils, and begin openly to persecute, or if ⟨image 97⟩they have any knowledge and eloquence, they straight way,1 play the jolly Balaamites. For they commend themselves unto Antichrist to resist the trueth of God, and maintain his false doctrine, against their own consciences: For, they themselves laugh him to scorn in their hearts, and do no more believe him, then those against whom they oppose them selves. But I fear me, I have done them great wrong to compare them unto Balaam, because they have not so much faith unto the true Religion, as Balaam had unto the Religion of the ancient Church of GOD, neither have they so great a regard to God, as he had. But they are as like him in all other points, as like may be, as in desire of honours, and worldly possessions. And therefore although they are in part, black Devils, yet are they in nature, more like unto white and Familiar Devils, where, the rest show them selves to be altogether black Devils.
Howbeit, whatsoever visors they put on, they are always in trueth, very Libertine Atheists, notwithstanding, that they seem outwardly the Followers of Popish ⟨image 98⟩Religion. And there are others also, who are almost like them, even of those which follow the Gospel, if they knew they might any way gain thereby. But the most of that sort, serve in Kings and Princes Courts.2 For, if Kings and Princes favour the Gospel, then they know, that if they favour it as he doeth, that they shall come to greater dignity, or at least, be the better and more firmly established in that degree and honour wherein they stand, for, as they can court it well, so will they also be the first that shall make court to the Gospel, and will be come fair white, and familiar Devils, amongst the very angels. But if a man should judge them by their works, fruits, and life, what Gospel it is that they profess, it would be soon judged that they are very Libertine Atheists. For, a man shall never find any reformation of life in them, which is the chief cause of the preaching of the Gospel, and the principal mark to be marked and known by, in those who have received the true faith, in the true fear of GOD, and in a good conscience.
And therefore, when they see them selues in danger to loose thē, they eyther become manifest blacke diuels, and beginne openlye to persecute, or if ⟨image 97⟩they haue anye knowledge and eloquence, they straight way,1 playe the iollye Balaamites. For they commend themselues vnto Antichrist to resist the trueth of God, and mainteyne his false doctrine, against their owne consciences: For, they themselues laugh him to scorne in their heartes, and doe no more beleeue him, then those against whom they oppose them selues. But I feare mee, I haue doone them greate wrong to compare them vnto Balaam, because they haue not so muche fayth vnto the true Religion, as Balaam hadde vnto the Religion of the auncient Churche of GOD, neyther haue they so greate a regarde to God, as he had. But they are as like him in all other poyntes, as like may bee, as in desire of honours, and worldly possessions. And therfore although they are in part, black Diuels, yet are they in nature, more like vnto white and Familiar Diuels, where, the rest shew them selues to bee altogether blacke Diuelles.
Howebeit, whatsoeuer vizers they put on, they are alwayes in trueth, very Libertine Atheistes, notwithstandyng, that they seeme outwardely the Followers of Popishe ⟨image 98⟩Religion. And there are others also, who are almost like them, euen of those which follow the Gospel, if they knew they might any way gayne thereby. But the most of that sort, serue in Kings and Princes Courtes.2 For, if Kinges and Princes fauour the Gospell, then they know, that if they fauour it as he doeth, that they shal come to greater dignity, or at least, be the better and more firmely establyshed in that degree and honour wherein they stand, for, as they can court it well, so will they also be the first that shall make court to the Gospell, and will bee come fayre whyte, and familiar Diuels, amongst the very angels. But if a man shoulde iudge them by theyr woorkes, fruites, and life, what Gospell it is that they professe, it woulde be soone iudged that they are very Libertine Atheistes. For, a man shall neuer finde any reformation of life in them, which is the chief cause of the preaching of the Gospell, and the principal marke to be marked and knowen by, in those who haue receiued the true faith, in the true feare of GOD, and in a good conscience.
- 1Libertine Balaamites.
- 2Libertine Courtiers.
