The like want of truth may be observed in all states, and in all dealings between man and man, wherein truth is not 1bought as being precious, according to the wisemans counsel, but sold at vile prises: It is sold by states men for treacherous policies; of Magistrates for rewards, friendship, ⟨p. 71⟩or respect of persons; of Lawyers, for fees; it is commonly sold of shop-keepers, that by the sale of truth, they may make their wares more saleable; of Artificers, who supply all defects, either of their labour or bad stuff, by untruth and falsehood. And as this is the state of Court and City, so also of the Country, where a man shall find that the simplest have wit enough to betray the truth; and the poorer that the people be, the more ready are they to sell truth at the basest rate. And I would to God, this want of truth, were wanting in the Church, and that in the banishment of truth out of the common wealth, yet the Church might be a sanctuary and place of refuge, where it might retire it self, and be safe guarded from violence; but alas in these days, it is far otherwise, for many in stead of Gods truth, preach their own fantasies & frothy conceits of wit, raking in the puddle of Papists postils, that they may stuff their Sermons with such dotages of wit, as better beseem the Stage then the Pulpit: leaving in the mean time the pure fountain of Gods word, as though these waters of life were not worth the drawing, and loathing to bring any sound exposition of their Text, because they imagine such vulgar simplicity to be a great disparagement to the acuteness of their wit, and therefore they choose rather to wrest and wring the scriptures unto such senses, as shall serve to be fit foundations, whereupon they may ground their idle quirks, and witty fooleries, then to deliver any sound interpretation, whereout they may gather any wholesome doctrine, and profitable instructions: wherein they utterly forget the presence in which they stand, the end wherefore they are sent, the majesty and authority of the embassy, and the gravity required in such ambassadors; and plainly show, that they aim not at the saving of souls, or the building of men up in Christ, but that they gape after the wind of vulgar praise; that they envy poets their fantastical wits, and therefore contend with them for the Laurel, who shall most abound in giddy conceits;
The like want of truth may be obserued in all states, and in all dealings betweene man and man, wherein truth is not 1bought as being precious, according to the wisemans counsayle, but sould at vile prises: It is sould by states men for treacherous pollicies; of Magistrates for rewards, friendship, ⟨p. 71⟩or respect of persons; of Lawyers, for fees; it is commonly sould of shop-keepers, that by the sale of truth, they may make their wares more saleable; of Artificers, who supply all defects, eyther of their labour or bad stuffe, by vntruth and falshood. And as this is the state of Court and Citie, so also of the Country, where a man shall finde that the simplest haue wit enough to betray the truth; and the poorer that the people bee, the more ready are they to sell truth at the basest rate. And I would to God, this want of truth, were wanting in the Chruch, and that in the banishment of truth out of the common wealth, yet the Church might be a sanctuary and place of refuge, where it might retire it selfe, and besafe guarded from violence; but alas in these dayes, it is farre otherwise, for many in stead of Gods truth, preach their owne fantasies & froathy conceits of wit, raking in the puddle of Popists postils, that they may stuffe their Sermons with such dotages of wit, as better beseeme the Stage then the Pulpit: leauing in the meane time the pure fountaine of Gods word, as though these waters of life were not worth the drawing, and loathing to bring any sound exposition of their Text, because they imagine such vulgar simplicitie to be a great disparagement to the acutenes of their wit, and therfore they choose rather to wrest and wring the scriptures vnto such senses, as shall serue to be fit foundations, whereupon they may ground their idle quirkes, and wittie fooleries, then to deliuer any sound interpretation, whereout they may gather any wholesome doctrine, and profitable instructions: vvherin they vtterly forget the presence in vvhich they stand, the end wherfore they are sent, the maiestie and authority of the ambassage, and the grauitie required in such ambassadours; and plainely shew, that they ayme not at the sauing of soules, or the building of men vp in Christ, but that they gape after the wind of vulgar prayse; that they enuy poets their fantasticall wits, and therefore contend with them for the Lawrell, vvho shall most abound in giddy conceits;
- 1Want of truth observed amongst all sorts of men.Want of truth obserued amongst all sorts of men.
