[ 1482] Sin may be excused here in this World, but not hereafter.
IT is said of S. Anthony,* 1.1 that being upon his Travel, and set down to Sup∣per, his Host set a Toad before him on the Table, and told him, That it was written in the Gospel,* 1.2 De omni quod tibi opponitur comedes, Thou shalt eat of such things as are set before thee. The holy Man, weighting with himself the irreligious entertainment of his Host, signed himself (as the Legend hath it) with the sign of the Cross, and immediately the Toad was turned into a well-dress'd Capon. This he did, as the Story lieth. But can it be thought possible, that a Leopard should change his spots, or a Blackamore be washed white? then may a Man Metamorphize Satans poisons,* 1.3 Toads, and Serpents, banefull Sins and transgressions into nutrimentall Vertues and spirituall Graces; It cannot be. For Sin is crafty and full of delusion, living still upon the cheat with the Sons of Men, Usury walks in Alderman Thrifties gown; Pride gets the name of Decency; Idolatry praiseth it self for pure Devotion; Homicide marcheth like a Man of valour; Lust professeth it self Natures Scholler; Covetousnesse is Nabals Husbandry; Inclosing of grounds is Master Usurper's Policy; Drunken∣nesse gets the name of good fellowship; so that whereas it hath been said, that black could never be turned into white, the Devill hath found out some Painters that will undertake it,
—Errore sub illo, Pro viti•• Virtus crimina saepe tulit;Vertue shall bear Vices faults, and Vice shall have the credit of Vertues goodnesse; but when all's don, the best of the Worlds Wisedome, is Vitia non abscindere sed abscondere, to excuse Sin here in this World, which will be sure to accuse the Sinner hereafter.