Prophecies concerning the return of popery into England, Scotland and IrelandProphecys concerning the return of popery into England, Scotland and Ireland

With our contentions their irreligious humour also is much strengthened; nothing pleaseth them better than these manifold oppositions about the matter of Religion, as well for that they have the more opportunity to learn on one side, how the other may be oppugned, and so weaken the credit of all unto themselves; as also because by their hot pursuit of lower Controversies amongst men professing Religion, and agreeing in the principal foundations thereof, time will cause Alteration to grow: For which purpose when they see occasion they stick not sometimes in other mens persons, yea sometimes without any visor at all, directly to try, what the most religious are able to say in defence of the highest points, whereupon all Religion dependeth. Now for the most part it so falleth out touching things that are generally received, that although in themselves they be most certain, yet because men presume them granted of all, we are hardly able to bring such proof of their certainty, as may satisfy gainsayers, when suddenly, and besides expectation they require the same at our hands, which unpreparation and unreadiness, when they find in us, they turn it to the soothing up of themselves in that accursed fancy, whereby they would fain believe that the hearty devotion of such as indeed fear God, is nothing else but a kind of harm less Error, bred and confirmed in them by the flight of wiser men.

WIth our contentions their irreligious humor also is much strengthened; nothing pleaseth them better than these manifold oppositions about the matter of Religion, as well for that they have the more opportunity to learn on one side, how the other may be oppugned, and so weaken the credit of all unto themselves; as also because by their hot pursuit of lower Controversies amongst men professing Religion, and agreeing in the principal foundations thereof, time will cause Alteration to grow: For which purpose when they see occasion they stick not sometimes in other mens persons, yea sometimes without any vizard at all, directly to try, what the most religious are able to say in defence of the highest points, whereupon all Religion dependteh. Now for the most part it so falleth out touching things that are generally received, that although in themselves they be most certain, yet because men presume them granted of all, we are hardly able to bring such proof of their certainty, as may satisfie gainsayers, when suddenly, and besides expectation they require the same at our hands, which unpreparation and unreadiness, when they find in us, they turn it to the soothing up of themselves in that accursed fancy, whereby they would fain believe that the hearty devotion of such as indeed fear God, is nothing else but a kind of harm less Error, bred and confirmed in them by the flight of wiser men.