Kaina kai palaia Things new and old, or, A store-house of similies, sentences, allegories, apophthegms, adagies, apologues, divine, morall, politicall, &c. : with their severall applications / collected and observed from the writings and sayings of the learned in all ages to this present by John Spencer ...

How it is that there are so many Professors of Religion, and so few Christians and Practi∣sers of Religion. [ 1401]

ALl Israel came joyfully out of Egypt under Moses his conduct, yea, and a mixt Multitude with them,* 1.1 but when their bellies were a little pinched with hunger, and their greedy desires of a present Canaan deferred; yea, in∣stead of peace and plenty, nothing but Warr and pen••ry appeared, they (like white-liver'd Souldiers) are ready to fly from their colours, and make a dishonou∣rable retreat into Egypt. Thus the greatest part of those, who professe the Go∣spel, when they come to push of pike,* 1.2 to be tried what they will do, deny, en∣dure for Christ, grow sick of their enterprise: Alas, their hearts fail them; they are like the waters of Bethlehem; but if they must dispute their passage with so many Enemies, they will even content themselves with their own Cistern, and leave Heaven to others, that will venture more hardly for it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Exod. 9.
• * 1.2

  —E•• ••uga Cervis, A patribus da∣tur, et patrius pavor incitat ar••us. Lucre∣tius.