Secuta est factum fames publica, quando in vsum ho∣minum concussae quercus, quando vulsae herbarum radices: Publike famine followed the fact (when the Idols were destroyed) whē was it heard of before that men did shake downe acornes, and pull vp rootes for foode? Thus many simple people were wont to say, it was a merry world whē we might haue 20. egs for a penie, a bushell of corne for six pence. All this while they cōsidered not, that while they had abundāce of earthlie things, they were pined for wāt of spirituall: though they sate by their flesh-pots, & had bread their bellies full, as the vnthankefull Israelites mur∣mured Exod. 16.3. yet they considered not, that all this time they were held in the spirituall bondage of Egypt.
Therefore we frankelie professe, though the Gospell should bring scarcitie, trouble, warre, penurie with it (and yet it hath florished with all temporall blessings, with peace, abundance, plentie) yet had we rather with Moses suffer affliction with Gods people, then to inioy the plea∣sures of sinne; to possesse all the pleasures and riches of the world with an euill conscience and corrupt religion: And we say with the Prophet Dauid, Thou hast giuen me more ioy of heart, then when their wheate and wine increased, Psal. 4.7. We reioyce more in the truth of religion, then all prosperitie & abundance whatsoeuer: and as Hierome well sayth, Nudam crucem nudus sequar, nec lucra seculi in Christi quaeras militia, I will follow Christs naked crosse my selfe naked: the worlds gaine must not be sought in Christs seruice. It is memorable which is reported of A∣gesilaus, who when the Thasians, as he passed by with his armie, brought him meale, fat geese, fine cakes, with other iunkets, he refused them all, the meale onely excepted, giuing this answere, That those things which delighted ser∣uile minds, free men abhorred: So these things whereby Papists measured religion, as riches, prosperitie, externall glorie; Protestants, whom the Gospell of Christ hath freed frō popish superstition, do hold them too light waights, to waigh against the truth.