[ 1007] The Ministers partiality in the reproof of sin, condemned.
THere is mention made of a sort of people,* 1.1 called Gastromantae, such as speak out of their belly, so hollow, that a stander by would think, that some body else spoke, in the next room unto them. Just such are those byas'd Ministers, the trencher Chaplains of our daies, that when they speak of sin, (especially in great ones)* 1.2 they may be said to speak out of their bellies, not out of their hearts; a din∣ner, or a great parishioner, or a good Dame, will make them shoot the reprehension of sin, like pellets through a Trunk, with no more strength, than will kill a spar∣row. Hence is it, that there are so many no-sins, so many distinctions of sins, that with a little of Iesabels paint, Adams weaknesse, in regard of his wife, is called tendernesse; Abraham's lye, equivocation; Lots incest and adultery, good nature; No∣ahs drunkenness, the weakness of age; Aaron & Solomons idolatry, policy; oppression, justice; treason, religion; faction, faith, madnesse, zeal; pride, handsomenesse; and covetousnesse, good husbandry: whereas sin should be set out in his right colours, and the sinner pointed out, as Nathan did David, Thou art the man, 2 Sam. 12. 7.