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 ...

[ XXIX] A cheap Religion, the beloved Religion with most men

SAint Basil complained of the covetous rich in his age,* 1.1 because they preferred on∣ly that kind of devotion,* 1.2 which is without cost; as, to pray for fashion, and fast out of miserablenesse; but they would not offer one half-penny to the poor. Such are to be found in our daies,* 1.3 who are content to hear God's Word read, and preached, with their hatts on their heads, and leaning on their elbowes, and (if need be) they will make bitter invectives against Atheism and Popery; yet they are willing to serve God with that which cost them nought: Let but the Parish impose an ordina∣ry charge, towards the necessary repairs of the Church, or the Pastour desire but some oyl for his lamp, accustomed Offerings for his better subsistence, you shall have them as a bulrush in a wet place, so dry, that a penny is as easily skrewed from them, as a new coat from a child, or a sword from a souldier enraged.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Serm. in divi∣tes 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  I. Boys Ser∣mont.
• * 1.3

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