Religion not to be made a stalking horse to Policy. [ 1347]
ONe of the Trent-Doctors,* 1.1 being a Fisherman's son born, whilest he was of some inferior Order, would alwaies cause a net to be spread under his Table-cloth, when he was to sit down at his meat, and this was to put him in mind from whence he came, that so he might not at any time be puffed up with any high conceit of his own worth: A good meaning, had it been reall; but it so fell out, that being saluted with a red hatt from the Conclave, the Net was presently laid aside; and being desired to tell the reason, why it was so? made answer;* 1.2 I have now caught what I fished for: Thus it is, that Religion is too too often made a stalking horse to Worldly Policy, so that when they have gotten enough (as they think) from God, they care not for God; and when the Fish is caught, they lay by the Net; For they do but a go a Fishing with holinesse, and the profession of Religion; and when they have their ends, there's an end also of their Profession.