An invective against vices, taken for Virtue. Gathered out of the scriptures, by the unprofitable servant of jesus Christ, Richard Rice.  Roma. xiii. ¶ Let us cast away the deeds of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Hieronimus. Let men first read, and despise it afterward, lest they seem to condemn unknown things, by no right judgement, but rather of a presumptuous hatred. 
Read and judge. But condemn not before ye read.  
¶ Imprinted at London by John Kyngston, for Henry Kirckham,   

To the Christian Reader, Robert Crowley wisheth the direction of God's holy spirit.  
BEing requested to peruse this invective against small vices: I have diligently weighed the reasons that the author hath used, and do find that such as are delighted in those small vices, that he enueigheth against, may take some advantage to calumniate the authors doing, for that he seemeth to enueigh against these small vices, as against deeds so forbidden of God, that the very deed done, is sin of itself, and that the doer of any of those deeds, must needs be accounted a sinner, with what mind so ever he have d●●n it. But as the vantage may be taken by the ungodly persons, that would feign have liberty to spend their whole time in idleness and vanity: so the godly minded shall have occasion to flee from all unlawful gainening, & to seek such recreation when need shall require, as may stand with the laws of their country, and tend to the glory of GOD. I have therefore thought it my duty, in these few words, to admonish the reader of the profit, that he may take by the reading hereof. First, he shall be put in remembrance of that profession, that he hath made in his Baptism, which is to forsake all the vanities of this wicked world: and that the whole course of a Christian man's life, should be a continual walking in the way of the spirit, and fleeing from the way of the flesh. Secondly, he shall be occasioned to seek to know, what the works of the flesh be, and what be the works of the spirit: and to bend himself rather to go out of the way on the right side, then on the left, and rather to walk in the most rough and narrow way that leadeth to life, then in the broad way that leadeth to death and destruction. last of all, he shall see plainly painted out, the fondness of the reasons that the fleshly minded men use, in maintaining their lewd liberty, in riotous and unlawful gamening. The lord jesus guide us all by his holy spirit: so that the flesh being fully mortified in us, we may walk in the spirit all the days of this life, and after the end thereof, enjoy that endless glory that he hath promised to such. AMEN.   

To the Christian Reader.  
WHere as in the notable works of many famous men (most christian reader (many things in these our latter age, have been searched out, no less necessary than godly, to the information of the congregation. 
●●th. xxiiii.  That the Saints might have all things, meet to work withal, to the edification of the body of Christ. 
●●esi. iiii.  While many things have been necessarily ransacked: other things very meet have been omitted: the which in the sacred word of God, are sore reprehended as whoredom, murder, or theft. 
●●a. viiii  Not as though I, as a singular person, would of mine own capacity & wit, now at length, take in hand to correct Magnificat, or to pike out the crows eyes. But according to the talent that God hath committed unto me. 
●ma. xii.  Seeing vice so rise, and damnable before God. And 
i. Corinth. v  no less dangerous, to the open report of the conscience of Christian believers (to whom only, with obscure brightness, I commit this little treatise (thought my duty no less than somewhat to say, in the reformation of such wickedness. 
two. Timo. iiii  How truly and meetly, let the word of God record. To the which (good Christian Reader) I wholly commit thee, with the increase of his knowledge. Amen.   

The Lord jesus Christ, the son of the everlasting God, the restorer of all purity, give us grace to live innocently in his sight. Amen.  
GOD the mighty maker of things, by his power and word (that is his well-beloved son and our saviour Christ jesus) intending for his pleasure only, to fashion that noble creature, and of most delectation in all the works of his hands, said as the scripture witnesseth: let us make man unto our own similitude and likeness. 
Gene. 1.  In these two words, similitude, and likeness, knifing or coupling man unto himself, discevering him far both in knowledge and living from the other works of his making, for asmuch as he ordained all other things for his commodity and pleasure, to obey and serve him, and that he should serve, and be obedient to none of them all, but only to his creator and maker, the celestial God of heaven and earth, unto whose similitude, and likeness he is made, in that he is made unto his likeness it certifieth us that he is invested, and endued with the knowledge, and understanding of God's benevolence toward him, and with affections obsequious unto reason, kindled with the Lantern of God's bright countenance, as to know where as a little before, he was but a vile piece of earth, and the dung of the filthy ground, that he is now made of that caranous earthly slime, a creature most noble and worthy, not made unto the likeness, either of the earth, or water, either of fish or foul, either of Angel, or archangel, but only unto the likeness of his Lord GOD in memory, understanding, and pure will, the which he bestowed unto the glory of his God that made him, and not in vain trifles, musings of folly, fantasies of a transitory and wavering mind, and that showeth well the word that followeth, that is, that man was made to his similitude, certifying us that man, beside that he was endued with the Image of his lord God, with the properties before recited, yet notwithstanding, in as much as man representing his Lord GOD in similitude, is not only endued with these noble gifts: as memory, understanding, pure will, after the Image of his maker, but also with most excellent, and highest virtues after his similitude, as with original justice, which is else nothing, saving the innocency of a pure godly life, and a Religion of righteousness, newly engraffed in his heart, toward his Lord God, and a pure obedience unto his commandments, with a single eye to his neighbour's profit, with the which properties is he right made unto the similitude of his Lord God, according to the saying of the holy Ghost in the third book of Moses: 
Leuiti. 11.  Be ye holy, for I am holy, now is it manifest with what comely qualities, man is like his Lord God, both in Image, and in similitude, and thus adorned with these Godly ornaments and graces, he appointed a place for him to exercise these noble virtues, and that they should not through slothfulness die in him, as things of small estimation and worthiness, and so sent him into Paradise. What to do there? To Bowl, or to play at Dise, or Cards, Penipricke, or slipthrift? Were these noble gifts of no higher worthiness, then to be bestowed in such trifles of folly? Is the memory that his Lord God gave him to use, to the remembrance of his first making, no better worth then to be exercised, in packing of a card or setting of a die, or delivering of a Bowl, or inventing of craft to deceive his neighbour? For these or such like trifles, did not God prepare Paradise for Adam, with his notable gifts, and in earnest, to profess the truth, it is to much shame, to grant these goodly gifts to be received at the hands of the most pure, and glorious God, and so wickedly both against God's blessed pleasure, and the utility of our neighbour to be used, for our GOD prepared Paradise for Adam to work in, saith the text. 
Gene. 2.  Is Bowling working? Is Card playing working? Is the blasphemy of Gods most holy name a working? Yea, and meet for Paradise. Is craft, disceiyte, guile, and dissimulation, a work fit for him that should enter into Paradise? If these vices and such like, be not found in gamening, beside changing of the colour: sighing from the heart, for the loss of a piled halfpenny, more than for the vain taking of God's blessed name, with the whorling of the Pots about the house, the Cards into the fire, the Dice under the feet, where shall ye find them? In gamening I say, and not in working, and for this cause did God ordain Paradise for man to work in, endued with all these Godly qualities, meet to enter into such a worthy place, and there at his pleasure to exercise them to the honour of his Lord GOD. But a lack for pity, long did no man continued in this godly state and vocation, to occupy himself in God's Commandments, for, forthwith did the Serpent (disdainful of man's felicity) blow such blaste● into his fleshly ears, that he set a side his Lords will, and gave attendance, and listened to the voice of the Serpent, and in a moment, he lost quite all these Godly gifts, wherewith he was made unto the Image, and similitute of his Lord God, and was redacte to such penury and beggary, that he had nothing left him but shame only, and had not (as the common saying is) one good point about him, and thus he ran away from the presence of his Lord GOD, and the farther he ran, the worse he was, and the more shame followed him, for he had neither the shape nor similitude, that he received of his Lord God to show him, as obedience, singleness of mind, pure abstinence from carnal affections, original equity, true religion of his celestial father, subjection of the heart. etc. But rather the similitude of the Serpent, as shame, disobedience, presumption of stomach, to be like his lord God in knowledge and understanding, ready to climb up to heaven by folly, breaking of his covenant with such like shameful, and wicked enormities, what remedy now to restore this lost Image again? Which is the way to obtain this deformed similitude, to his pristine and former shape again? Is idleness the way? Is phansiing the way? Is the way by playing, and sporting, or resting of thy weary bones, with the bones of a pair of Dice, or with a pair of Cards (otherwise now called the books of life) and though it be spoken but in jesting, yet is it not altogether for nought, for the nature of some is to rest more in them, and are more at quiet with the Ace, King, Queen, or Varlet of Spades, than they can be with a Spade to dig or delve honestly after God's precepts for their living: yea, and delight quietlier in the Ace, King, Queen, or Varlette of the Hearts, than they do in the book of life, registered with the death of an unspotted Lamb, and sealed with the blood of Christ, springing from his tender heart, and they are the most part (I say) very sorry that they have not wherewith to maintain such an idle life continually, is this the way now to claim the Image and similitude lost again? Not, not, which is then the way? Surely Paul (moved by the spirit of God) findeth how to restore this lost Image again right well, 
●●e. 4.  saying. So then, as concerning the conversation in time paste, lay from you that old man which is corrupt through deceivable lusts, and be ye renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on that new man, which after the Image of God, is shapen in righteousness and true holiness. Here have ye of saint Paul the Image of GOD repaired again a right. Wherein think ye? in deceivable lusts and phansiynges of the wanton flesh, after the Image of the old man, corrupted by nature, no surely. But in righteousness saith Paul, well, is this then right that for my restitution and restoration performed in Christ, I shall now quit and recompense the same, with a pair of Cards or Dice? I would also learn very feign whether such vain pastime belongeth to the old man, or to the new, if it pertain to the new man, then are we bound in conscience continually to be playing, carding, dicing, bowling, faring, kailing, or such like. For christ saith plainly. 
john. xiii.  I have given you to an example, that ye do as I have doen. 
i. Peter. two.  Also Christ left us an example that we should follow his foot steps, now therefore, if these things pertain to the new man fashioned after Christ, show unto us clearly by the manifest Scriptures where we shall find them, that we may follow christ in them. The text saith plainly, that the new man is fashioned to the Image of God in holiness. 
i. Peter. two.  That as he which called you is holy, even so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, all this way, yet find I none occasion to follow Christ in such trifling fantasies. And to help the matter for the. 
Luke. ●●.  In his Gospel the first Chapter saith, very godly on this wise, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear all the days of our life, in such holiness and righteousness as are accepts before him: Peter saith in all manner of conversation, we must be holy as Christ is holy, but the old man saith, for a fair touch and use it not, we must some time bear with the weakness of our neighbour, and if we live in the world, we must now and than dally with the world, the new man saith, fashion not yourselves like unto this world. 
●●m. xii.  And I would not advise thee, for the pleasure of this blind world, to follow the foolish appetite thereof, and so to be condemned with the world. 
* Cor. two.  Thou wilt say, I purpose not to remain in it, but pastime for a day or two, and so to leave of. Well, thou doest well to lay for thyself, and to set Christ to school, he saith for thy deliverance out of thy enemies hands, thou must serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of thy life, & thou as sum what wiser than he, wilt keep a day or two for thine own pastime, to serve thy worldly affection. Now then belike we can not learn no such dalliance or vain pastime to pertain to the Christian or new man regenerate in Christ. For it is yet unproved, and the scriptures unsought, and therefore on our part unbeleved: therefore sore if ye will have be credit them, prove it unto us by reason, and the sacred Scriptures, and lay them plainly before us as we have done, and we will willingly receive it with thanks, and till ye have so done, I pray you hold us excused though we believe them not.  
Then it seemeth most like, that such vain trifling pastimes belong to the old man unacquainted with Christ and his word if it so be as it is in deed, than the text commandeth us to lay them a side, and to have naught to do with them. 
Col. iii  Paul also in the spirit of GOD counseleth us to put from us all things, as wrath, fierceness, maliciousness, cursed speaking, filthy speaking out of our mouths. Now tell me I pray thee, where shall ye find more wrath, displeasure, heart burning, hate, envy from the very heart, than ye shall do in dicing and carding? Yea it chanceth oftentimes, that two shall enter into gamening, very good lovers and friends, and or ever their gamening be ended, they shall be mortal enemies, and the one ready to revile the other so spitefully, that it is a thousand to one if they part without blows. Than followeth strait ways such anger that runneth into the danger of judgement, and Racha. That is worthy of council, yea, and thou fool that is worthy of Hell fire. 
●●th. ●.  Aught not now gamening, which engendereth such incommodity, and inconvenience, to be avoided as a thing most dangerous, and most pestilent, among them that profess themselves christians? Yea, aught not rather the very jews and infidels, the which are without all godly laws, saving only the law of their conscience, excusing and accusing them. 
●●m. two.  As their wickedness are enormous to shun such ungodly pastimes? yes truly aught they, then much more thou being the professor of Christ's holy evangely, oughtest to be an abstayner from all things that have any show or likelihood of vice. As the good and true disciple of jesus Christ. Saint Peter testifieth. 
●. Peter. two.  I beseech you brethren as Pilgrim's and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which fight against the soul: and see that ye have honest conversation among the Gentiles, that, they which backbite you as evil doers, may see your good works, and praise God in the day of visitation. But thou wilt perchance say, that I am to hard to reprehend that thing, that may for an honest recreation be frequented, where as the company is sober, and purposed of a gentle intent, secluding blaphemie, riot, dronkenship and such like excess, only for the passing of time, to refresh our wits. Well, I hear thine excuse very well, my think thou callest it an honest recreation, and that I am to hard to reprehend such an honest recreation, if playing at cards or tables, scaling or bowling, be such an honest recreation, I pray thee for the love of God, find it out of the word of God, and show it me, that I may also refresh myself, and give thee thanks.  
We have proved a little before, that they are such acts as appertain to the old man. For we could not find them meet for them that were fashioned after the Image of God, and so borne a new, and regenerate in Christ, and in as much as they are the fears and béedes of the old man, call them by what name or vocable so ever thou wilt, yet may not we for the honest term that thou givest unto it, receive the thing that is nought and wicked never the sooner: for Paul calleth it the old man corrupt through deceivable lusts. 
●●e. iiii.  And here Peter would have us as well acquainted with them, as a way faring man is in the country, that he never was acquainted or came in all his life time, and calleth them plainly, fleshly lusts, fighting against the soul, he would also we should have good works to show among the Heathen to praise God with, in the days when thou shalt be circumvented of the enemies of Christ's cross, and chancest to be persecuted for thy masters sake, which he calleth the day of visitation, what wilt thou have to show for thyself? shall any of these honest recreations, sober pastimes, refreshing of the wit, be taken then for good works? because thou givest them honest names, not, not, surely, Matthew declareth very plainly, 
Math. ●.  where he would have our good works for to shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glory our father which is in heaven, and ye shall find that he there speaketh of the sacred Gospel with his works. Will ye see what goodness ensueth of your honest termed pastimes? first where do children piteously cry out for meat & drink and can not get it? forsooth, where their father is given to Bowling, Di●●ng, or Carding, Tennis playing, frailing, and such like. Where do servants lack work, and stand whirling their knife about their fingers, and gazing idly about the streets and walls, to occupy the whole half day in vain language? where their masters be addict to Bowling, dicing, Tables, Cards, Tennis-plaiing, Scailing with such like. Where wanders women about the town midday and midnight, with, wots ye where my husband is? when see ye my good man? where might she best inquire for her unthrifty husband? but where the man is given to such uncomely vices?  
Where is the name of God wickedly blaspemed, but in such unmeet assemblies? where is twelve pence spent before eight pence be earned? but in such unlawful gamening? Where fly the ports about the house? where fall men together by the ears? how come men into extreme poverty? when fall man and wife to sighing and sorrowing and starting in their sleeps, and wringing of their hands? but where is given to such excess in pastime? Where are frays raised? men stabbed in with wounds, and lie at their wives hands, which hath three or four children, and little work and small friends, and cold charity? but where there is used such riot and excess in gamening. And wilt thou now say, that a christian man may exercise with a good conscience that thing that all this mhischefe springeth on? seeing also they pertain to the old man which we aught to put from us? and are called of Peter fleshly lusts also, the which we must abstain from, look now and mark if thy honest recreation, gentle pastime, and convenient refreshing of thy wit, with such like comely terms, will make a wicked, a sinful, a detestable, a fleshly and corrupt thing good? Not, not, it will not be: therefore I heartily beseech thee (good christian reader) call me not an hard reprehender, for (before the righteous God I speak it) I reprehend it none otherwise than I have a cause, and no harder than thou thyself (if thou dost right) oughtest for to do, and I pray thee instantly desire God of his fatherly affection, 
i Timo. two.  in thy prayer, that he will grant to the compiler of this simple and rude matter. 
Roma. i.  (Yet god he taketh to his conscience faithful and true) that he will kindle his heart 
i. Peter. i.  With his sacrifiing spirit, that he may leave of (as he intendeth none other) such vain and idle trifling. Also thou sayst where a sober company is met, such pastimes may be used that maketh me sore to muse, for I can not think that sober company will take an unsober matter in hand, yea though they were as sober as ever was Abstemius, as constant as ever were the Rechabites, in abstinence. 
●em. xxxii.  As austere in living as ever was john the Baptiser. 
●ath. xiii.  As circumspect as ever was joseph in Egypte under Pharaoh. 
●●nesis. xli.  Yet if they should go about such trifles of folly, and occupy themselves in phantasis, inhibit by the mouth of God, I can see in them no soberness, no wisdom, no circumspection. But rather folly, soberness, that is corrupt with deceivable lusts. The old man fashioned after the Devil, and not after the Image of God. For what sober company can ye appoint me, that frequentate such vain pastimes, the which after the custom of the realm when they are inhibit, are called unlawful games? Except drunkards, blaspemers, railers, jesters, idle talkers, that pertain nothing to the matter. 
●phe. u  Be a sober company? except crafty deceivers, sulbtill workers, false dissembles be a sober company? for mark the most honest gamesters that will profess themselves before they enter into play by their false fidelity, that they will play never a Card false, nor never an Ace wrong, and when they are once entered into play, there shall be packing of Cards, winking with the eyes, blaring out the tongue, renouncing the Trump and coming in again, and when that deceit is spied, then shall they fall to reasoning why he did so, then will they have an answer why he hath broke his promise, as though he would have him keep his promise in a foolish matter, when he breaketh his promise daily in a weightier and more deeper matter made between God and his neighbour, is not this good stuff think you? is not this meet for a sober company? well go to, admit it be meet for a sober company, as to take sober men for the discrete men of the world (for more honestlier can ye not take soberness) is it therefore (and speak of pure conscience) meet for a christian company? I dare boldly say that the corrupt old man shall never enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
Colos. iii Ephe. iii  And if these be the works meet for a christian company, then shall the Christian company never come in heaven, and I marvel much also if these works be so meet for a christian company, why Christ taught not his Disciples such meet works, and the people also in the heavenly Sermon that he made in the Mountain. 
●ath. u vi.vii.  Where he blessed the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the hungry and thirsty for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peace makers, the sufferers of persecution for his name's sake, he blessed than also which were reviled, and suffered all manner evil sayings for his name's sake, these with such like were the works which he blessed. But I hear not in this place that he blessed, either Cards, or Dice, Counters to play at Pen●pricke with, or poised Groats to play at slipthrifte, Tennis balls or bowls horse bones for scailes, nor knives for muggle prick, nor Shafts to dart over Beams in rainy days? Not, neither Dicers nor Carders, Penipricke players, nor Slidethrifters, Scailers, nor Darters, Tennis players nor muggle prickers, but if they had been works meet for a christian company, he would not have forgotten them no more than they did the other. But what was the occasion that he remembered not the last works in his sermon, as well as he did the first? Look and search the chapters (I pray thee) and thou shalt manifestly see that the former works (which are meet in deed for a christian company) have the promises of the kingdom of heaven. But the latter works meet for the old man and the devil hath not so, and in deed (to profess the truth) they that are well acquainted with the first works, will have no dainty in the last. Now than if the first works be approved of God, meet for a christian assembly, and such as have the promises also of the kingdom of GOD, and the latter being fleshly lusts. 
i. Peter. two.  fighting against the soul, not shapen after the Image of god, but after the old man, corrupt with deceivable lusts, 
Coloss. iii  destitute also of the promises of the celestial kingdom. 
i Corin. v.  judge I pray thee good reader) if thou be not corrupt with like infection (which works be meetest for a christian company, as for the first works we will not make much mention of, for they are in case good enough.  
But let us touch a little of the second, that it may be to the glory of God, and to the reformation (if it may be) of such shameful vices. What is the occasion that the mother many times lacketh all the pings on her Pincase? But because the parents without the fear of GOD, bring up their children in wanton gamening, and will not rebuke them, but make them delicate and wilful. 
●cle●●. thirty.  What meaneth that the father lacketh now and then an halfpenny, or a penny out of his purse? Even for because their parents suffer them to licentiously, to rage's after their own rein, whose song at length shall be full of heaviness. For asmuch as they have rather maintained their folly in riot and gamening, and have spared the rod of correction, that ministered wisdom, and therefore shall they be both father and mother brought to shame. 
●ouerb. xxix. Kings. iii  What meaneth it, that a sober man taking great care, watch, and study abroad, for his wife and children's living, cometh home at night, and findeth in his house, in steed of a sober housewife, a thing worse than a Dragon, and Lion, the Serpent's head, changing her countenance like a Bear, a drunken housewife? But because she loveth dalliance, and pastime, 
Eccle. xxv.  riotting, & gamening, one pot a bear a broad, better than twenty at home? What meaneth it that poor men taking much pain for their wives, and their own living, and walk circumspectly abroad, to fetch with their honest labour somewhat home, and at his return, findeth neither platter, nor dish charger, nor saucer, spoons, nor trenchers pan, nor pot, meat, nor drink, because they left shrewd housewives at home delighting in riot, and gamening, bowling, Carding, or dicing? What meaneth that we have so many Gailes, lodges, and prisons, with as many irons as they may be thrust, so many stocks and Pillories, Goose houses, and Cokestoles, Bars for thieves to hold their hands at, and gallow trees. 
Romans. xi●  But because the people is so sore set on riot. 
prover. xxvi●  As the games before recited, with other wickedness. The lord in heaven suppress these vices once, that there may be many of these sword, and corrections taken away. What meaneth that we have so many lane Sermons, and so many fat banquets? Because there is more affection had to the tables, then to the Testament, to the book with two and fifty leaves, then to the Bible? What is the occasion that the works of mercy are so sore abated? 
●ath. xxv.  Because the works of the devil, and vain pastime is so sore increased. 
●ath. xxiiii.  Many more pastimes there be which I am not acquainted with (though I am acquainted with to many) that suppress the glory of GOD, and deprive us from the Image of his glorious son jesus Christ, by whom only we have an entrance unto the father. 
●●n. vi.  Mark now good Christian reader, and ponder well, whether these works of ignorance, meet companions for the devil. 
●●me. u  These deceivable lusts. 
●●l. iii  Idly affections, works of damnation, the deeds of sin, be meet for an honest company, or not. 
Galat. ●.  Yea, and for a Christian company, and specially to be blessed of Christ, without he bless them, as he promised to Moses, with careful curses. 
Levit. xxvi. Deut. xxvi●●.  In the city, and in the Town, and in the field, in the storehouse, and in the basket, in the fruit of thy body, that thou shall be barren, and if thou haste any children, they shall be blind, dumb, lame, or halt, or in the fruit of thy land, and curses upon thy Oxen, and upon thy Sheep: In thy in going, and in thy out going, to thy destruction, and rebuke: to all that thou settest thy hand to, till he bring thee to nought quickly, for the wickedness of thine inventions, because thou hast forsaken thy Lord God, and given thy mind, and set thy heart of other trifles, with an hundred such like: we may chance to have our deeds blessed on this manner, and except we amend in time, after many plagues, pestilences, and ●earthes, without controversy, look for none other blessings and that shortly.  
God open the eyes of our Magistrates that they may see a redress for these things in season, that in steed of speaking to a Bowl, or Die, or Card, unreasonable, and dumb things, we may through our prayers, and their aid, speak unto our neighbour, and our own flesh, and blood, things out of the volume of the sacred Bible, to his edification and soul's health. 
●●●t. xvii. ●suc. i.  As the good Disciple of jesus Christ saint Peter counseleth us. 
i. Peter. iiii.  If any man speak, let him talk as the words of God. Now Peter would not only have our deeds savour, and taste of God, but also our speech, language, and communication, would he have sound as the words of God, or else not to speak at all. Now then, do Sise Ace, Kater Deuce, Sink Trey, Ambes' Ace, two Deuces, take him now Dice if ye can, gentle Dice what ye will, I care not. A shame take these evil favoured bones, a pestilence on the●▪ with blood, wounds Nails, and Harte, I would these Dice were burnt. Sound these terms, I say, like the words of GOD? Doth mark, well the Cards, take heed how he packeth them. I have the Ace, therefore must I rob, with putting your hand to your cap, your fist on a heap, your finger to your heart, kissing of the Cards, taking yourself by the nose, with it is mine already, ye play naughteilye, whorle, take up, the trick is mine, shamefully cast: I must deal now, do these words I say, sound as the words of God? They sound in deed but after the trade of the old man, and not after Christ after the flesh and her appetite, and not after the motions of the spirit, and in that S. Peter willeth here, that our speech should be as the words of God. Paul to the colossians. 
Col. iii  Adds to the words of Peter, as it were a Paraphrases, putting it clearly out of question, that all things what soever we do in word, or in deed, should be done in the name of the Lord jesus, giving thanks to God the father by him. Look if these words or deeds that are spoken of before, be done in the name of the Lord jesus, or as David in his twelve Psalm declareth, 
Psalm. xii.  what manner of words, the words of the Lord be, to give the more light to Peter's sentence, saying: the words of the Lord are pure words. Even as the Silver which from the earth is tried, and purified seven times in the fire. Now ponder, how the words of the Lord are pure words: and our words are unpure, filthy, and wicked, and specially in such light pastimes: pure as the Silver tried from the earth, are the words of the Lord, and our words are as filthy as dung, tried out of a filthy, and stinking stomacste, polluting, and defiling the man. 
●ath. xv.  Whereby we shall not miss, but be condemned. 
●ath. xii.  And therefore appoint with thyself assuredly to give accounts for all such idle, unprofitable, and vain words, before the high judge, that shall weigh both thy acts, words, and works in a pair of even balance, and reward thee after thy deserts, as thou hast wrought them in thy caranous body. 
Cor. v.  Now yet once again I say, take heed, and be well advised what works ye will prepare, to appear with before the glorious judge, thou haste now warning, and both the works of the flesh, and the works of the spirit laid openly before thine eyes, with the words and communication, meet for a sober, an honest, and a Christian company, with the contrary, and both their rewards, therefore take heed and be wise in time. Beside this thou sayest that a sober company, now and then may exercise such honest recreations, for the passing away of the time, excluding blasphemy, riot, and excess. I would gladly hear these recreations, which ye call honest, to be first proved honest: before ye call them honest recreations, if that be an honest recreation, to exercise that thing, that thieves, whoremongers, blasphemers murderers, drunkards, railers, jesters, mockers, and scorners do occupy, it is a wonders honest recreation. Now than I perceive very well, that ye can be partakers with that wickedness, that such a shameful rabble of riottoures and drunkards used, with the vengeance of God annexed unto them, for where is the vengeance of GOD more present, then where the deeds of the flesh are exercised. 
Gala. v. Cor. v.  Then ye can be partakers with the poor flock of Christ, that do abhor such fantasies, and imaginations of the Devil, 
●●●n. viii.  wholly addict to an honest purity of living, and to the searching of the sacred will of God, out of the holy Bible, Christ being in the mids of them. 
〈◊〉 xuj.  Honest recreations are meet for honest men, but Carding, dicing, Bowling, Scailing, and Tennis playing, are not honest recreations: Ergo they are not meet for honest men. If they be honest recreations, than theft is an honest recreation, then is murder an honest recreation, then is whoredom an honest recreation, for things worthy like praise, are of like honesty, and worthy like reward: But theft, murder, whoredom, with other like deeds of the flesh, are worthy like praise. Ergo like honest, and worthy like reward. For what praise is a wicked thing worthy, but the curse of God and damnation? As the Scribe in the nineteen of Matthew, 
〈◊〉. xix.  demanded of Christ what he might do to have eternal life? Christ answered, thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not break wedlock: Thou shalt not kill. Now if the Scribe, or any other Christian man, will have eternal life, he must observe these precepts, that he be no thief, no whoremonger, nor no murderer. If he be, then let him not look for eternal life: for he that keepeth the commandments, dwelleth in God and God in him. 
i. john. iiii.  Then let us thus reason, he that keepeth not the commandments, dwelleth not in God. But he that is a thief, whoremonger, or murderer, keepeth not the commandments. Ergo he is a thief, whoremonger, or murderer, dwelleth not in GOD: and he that dwelleth not in God, hath no life in him. 
john. i.  In him is life, and the life was the light of men. etc. Also David saith plainly. 
Psalm. i.  The wicked shall not rise in judgement because they are alway dead (saith Augustine) from GOD, and shall not rise to life; and he that hath not life in God, is alway addict to damnation. Example of Cain the first murderer, 
Gene. iiii.  which ran away from the presence of God, in whom is life: and the whoredom of the people of Israel, with the daughters of Moab. 
●um. xxv.  Nun. xxv. Read the whole Chapter, I pray thee. judas the thief and purse-bearer. 
●●hn vi. ●ath. xxvi.  Now the thief, the whoremonger, and murderer have no life in God, therefore the thief, whoremonger, and murderer, are addict to damnation, then if the deeds of the flesh (for better deeds can ye not make them, for they will in no wise agreed with the deeds of the spirit) be worthy like reward and damnation: than it followeth, that they are like evil and wicked vices, like abominable in the sight of GOD, are worthy like damnation: but Bowling, dicing, Carding, Tennesing, with such like acts and deeds of the flesh, are of like reward and damnation, with murder, whoredom, and theft. Ergo they are like abominable and wicked, that they are of like damnation is manifest. 
●om. viii.  Where with a godly antithesis or contrariety he pronounceth it on this sort, there is no damnation to them, which are in Christ jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Now saith Paul, to be in Christ jesus is no damnation, because they walk in a new Godly life, after the spirit fashioned, and not after the flesh, then if there be no damnation to them that are in Christ jesus, because they walk after the spirit, it followeth on the other party, that there is damnation to them that are not in Christ jesus, because they walk after the flesh. But Dicers, Bowlers, Carders, Scailers, Crossers and Pilers, Tenessers, Chesterers with such like a thousand more, when they are in their most honestest pastime, secluding (as they say) blaspheming, riot, and excess, yet are they in the deeds of the flesh. Therefore is there also such damnation after the sentence of Saint Paul, For be not a shamed hardly to number these honest recreations amongst deeds of the flesh, till ye can by the Scripture discharge them thereof. Look also, 
Math. seven.  where he maketh a difference between the good Tree and her fruit, and the bad tree and her fuicte: and say of an honest heart, in which of these Trees, bowling carding, with the residue of their fruits, grow. And he saith in the same place, that every Tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cast into the fire. 
Gala. v.  And Paul to the Gallathians, very plainly declareth the sentence of Matthew, and nameth both the trees with their fruits, and calleth the good tree, the spirit, and the deeds thereof, the fruits of the spirit. But in those fruits shall ye find no place for none of these deeds, the words are these: the fruits of the spirit, love, joy, long sufferance, gentleness, faithfulness, meekness, goodness, temperance. Now mark well this good tree, and show me what fruit or branch thereof ye can find meet, for to place your honest pastimes, good refreshing of the wit, the passing away of the time, and with riot and such like vain trifles. The fruits of the evil tree are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, wrath, strife, sedition, sects, envy, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, covetousness, pride, lechery, bacbiting, discord, and innumerable such like. If you mark these fruits well, you may chance to find some branches, meet for your purpose. How be it, if any man be so addict to folly, that though he seeth it, he will not see it, least his sin should be reproved, I shall take the pains myself (though I have little thank therefore) to set one or twain before your eyes, and if you have any felicity or pleasure, in the searching out of the holy word of God, you shall very easily with your studious endeavour, find out the residue right well. first, what say you to this branch of uncleanness, may it not take place (think you) among your vain pastime? I suppose the deeds of the flesh be not cleanly, but your recreations are before proved to be deeds of the flesh. Ergo your foolish vain recreations, are not very cleanly, therefore lay up this fruit of uncleanness, to be one of your precious jewels to serve you a purpose. How like ye also by wantonness, may ye not be numbered well enough among your vain sport and pastime? 
i. Peter. iiii.  Look the first and fourth Chapter, where he declareth how we should arm ourselves with the same mind, to cease from sin, by suffering in the flesh, as Christ did, and to live after the will of GOD. He addeth strait ways, that it is sufficient for us, that we have spent the time that is past, of the life, after the will of the Heathen, and Gentiles, walking in wantonness, fleshly lusts, in excess of wines, in excess of eating, in drunkenness, and in abominable Idolatry. Here Peter rehearseth wantonness, to pertain to the life of the wicked Gentiles. 
●er. two.  To lusts, Peter before in the second Chapter saith, that they fight against the soul: and here he saith plainly, that they induce us unto abominable Idolatry. For what can be greater Idolatry, then to depart from the Lord GOD, through enticing of the flesh, and wantonness, to cleave to the wicked Gentiles, which are strangers from the life that is in GOD, blinded in their understanding, and walking in the vanity of their foolish minds? 
●●e. iiii.  Now good Christian Reader, according to the affection that thou haste to Gods most blessed word, search out the residue. Now may you expressly perceive and see, 
Math. seven.  both what Matthew in the seventh chapter, meaneth by the good tree, which Paul calleth the spirit, and her fruits, doth Paul call the deeds of the spirit. Where he excludeth the flesh, with all her appetites, lusts, and concupiscences. And that, that Matthew calleth the evil tree, Paul calleth the flesh: and by the fruits thereof, the deeds of the flesh. In the which is contained, all your fleshly pastimes, honest recreations, sober refreshing of the wit, with such like. And where Matthew saith, that every evil tree shall be cut down, and cast into the fire: Paul saith manifestly, that as many as commit such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God. And to be excluded out of the kingdom of GOD, and to be hewn down, and cast into the fire: Is to taiste damnation. For how far was that branch from damnation, that was cut from the tree, and cast into the fire? After his fine Reins and Purple, and delicious fare, doth not the text say, that he descended into hell, and was sore tormented in the flame. 
●●ke. xvii. ●●e. ●.  Paul also to the Ephesians saith, that neither filthiness, neither foolish talking, neither jesting, which are not comely, neither any unclean person, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of GOD. And how far is it (think ye) from damnation to be separate, and divided from the kingdom of Christ and God. Is there any Salvation, but in Christ only? 
acts. iiii.  Luke saith plainly nay. There is none other name given unto us wherein we must be saved: And therefore saith Matthew in his first Chapter, 
●ath. i  that he shall save the people from their sin. Then is there no Salvation save only in Christ, then without Christ is there nothing but damnation. And is there any life but in GOD only? Saint John saith nay in his first Chapter of his Gospel. 
●●hn. i.  Now, for as much as there is no salvation but in Christ only, and no life but in God: and seeing also, that to have no salvation, nor life in god, is plain damnation, than the deeds of the flesh as your foresaid pastimes, are plain damnation, because they have no salvation in Christ, nor life in God, nor any inheritance in the kingdom of God and Christ. Now see you plainly, that these filthy deeds of the flesh (as the games before named, when they are most purely used) are of like damnation, with murder and theft: Ergo they are like wicked and abominable. At this time satisfy yourselves (I pray you) with these small warnings, gentle admonitions, and dangerous threatenings: and if ye regard not this, then suppose not the contrary, but that there shall be a more weightier matter laid to your charge, and the spirit of God's mouth shall destroy both you and then together. Therefore awake betime, and put from you the works of darkness, that you may walk honestly while it is day. 
Roma. xiii.  Now at the last you say, for the passing away of the time: we may exercise such vain pastimes and recreations, and that I will go about to withdraw honest men from their honest fellowships, familiar neighbourhood, neighbourly meetings and assemblies. And will also (I am sure) demand of me, what I would honest company should do? How I would they should be occupied, and pass away the time, the hours, the days, and the nights? If all these before named pastimes, and recreations were laid a side, I shall shortly satiate this question, even with the saying of Solomon in his proverbs, 
proverb. xxvi.  who saith thus. Give not the fool an answer after his foolishness, lest thou become like unto him. But make the fool an answer, according to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own conceit. Here may you perceive (if you list) that I count not this question very wise. For the fleshly children of this wicked world, think this a right notable question. Yea, and worthy to be soluted or answered, with great wit, discretion and learning, when in very deed it is nothing else, but unlearned and witless, and therefore, according to the proverbs of Solomon, not worthy to be answered, least the foolish rejoice in his folly. For if this question, or such like were worthy answer, and that a man were bound to satisfy them, I dare boldly say, that there should be more questions, than might well either with reason, or learning be answered. For this question is a great deal meeter for Ethenickes, Turckes, jews, and Saracens, than it is for sober men, than it is for discrete men, than it is for Christian men, or for godly disposed persons. For will not the banketters (think ye) after their gurgitation, and ravenous devouring of their dainty meats, and sweet wines, demand with idle brains and beallies, what shall we do all this day? How shall we bring this long day at an end? How shall we spend our time? Is not there (think you) good, honest, and virtuous bargains made, with, we two against you two, for what wager so ever ye will, either at Tables, Dice, Cards, Tennis, or Bowls, as long as a Rial, twenty shillings, or forty shillings will last, or till we go to Supper? And to make up the bargain, they lash out one oath upon an other, in such wise, that there shall be never a member of Christ, unsought, or torn, so that it may come to memory. Yea, the honestest man in a town, if he begin once to face, will think scorn to be outsworne for forty shillings at Bowls, Cards, Tables, or Dice. Will not drunkards also muse with themselves, where they may get a company meet for their diet, to pass away the time, in glozing and gulling, either at such time as it were more meet for them to please their Lord god. If they be of the Spiritual sort, with labouring in the sacred word of God, to ●eede their flock on the Sabbath, or holy day next ensuing: Or if they be of the lay sort, to be occupied in his mystery, or occupation for his household or family: or else at such time, as it were meet for sober, discrete, and honest men to be at their rest: For the which thing, God made the night? What do poor labouring men, that have two or three children, and nothing but their manual, and handy craft, to secure themselves, their wife and family. Will not they (think you) also study to riot about streets, and lanes, searching out a company meet for them, in Ale houses, and beer houses, and invent how their may bring the day at an end, and occupy their time in riot and gamening, their wives and children in the mean while at home, crying out for victuals, and can get none, for the good man of the house, hath bestowed all his money so warily at Sice and Cinck or have at all: or at the Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs, and cometh home at night, with as many faces as a Sheep, & can speak never a good word, neither to wife nor child, and yet notwithstanding, must it be called an honest pastime, and sober refreshing of the wit. And thus do they pass away the time, the hours, the days, and the nights. And why is this vice so slowly defaced? Because that in the minds of the Stars, the Moon shineth very darkly, and they are both guilty of one offence, so that if the heads would redress these vices, the members would answer. O Hypocrite, cast out the beam that is in thine eye first, that thou mayest perfectly see, to pull out the moat, that is in thy brother's eye. 
Luke. vi.  For what do we, but that we see it first spring from you? Well, you wot what I mean, amend it therefore in time, lest you chance to get an afterclappe, I mean the sword, Pestilence, or dearth sent from GOD, for the correction of the same.  
Will not the whoremonger also muse with himself, how he may bestow the time, to obtain his fleshly and filthy purpose of an harlot? Will not the thief likewise, and Scailers and Euesdroppers of men's houses, perpend and way within themselves, where they may bestow the time to obtain their prey, put man, woman and child, in sore fear and dread, and many times in jeopardy of their lives? And now at the last cometh forth these sober men, with their honest fellowships, sometime from their couches before they have given GOD thanks for their rest, and as soon as they have said good morrow to their neighbour, do demand of him what they may do, to pass away the time, till they go to dinner. And some, to make the matter sure, smite up the bargain over night, to be in a readiness against the next morning. Some at their unthankful breakfast or dinner, shall covenant, to praise God all the day unto night for his abundant benefits, with blaphemies, perjuries, and abominable oaths, in their honest pastimes? Call you this your neighbourly meetynges, assembles, honest neighbourhood and familiar fellowship to pass away the time? Consider (I pray you) what a wicked rabble ye have annexed unto you. For in that demand will thieves, whoremongers, murderers, drunkards, railers, scoffers, vilanes, slaves, jesters and scorners be partakers with you. And think you that this is not a blessed company, to be matched withal, in these shameful and detestable vices of the flesh. Might not a man (if need were) ask you also this question, whether all things be so surely stayed, so circumspectly ordered, so warily provided for, and in such pure state, that there may so great leisure be had to such vanities of pastime, to the dangerous loss of time, so precious a jewel? Is all (think you) so rightly handled, both towards god & our neighbour, that each of these things set a part, ye may freely apply your minds, to dalliing with wanton sports and gamening? Is the true worship of God so maintained in all places, that there lacketh nothing to be redressed therein. 
john. iiii.  And will you yet ask me, how ye should be occupied and pass the time away, if such vanities were laid aside? Is the word of the most high God, purely, sincerely and truly preached in all Congregations, 
●●ke. xix.  and every Church rid of a papist, and a true preacher in his room? Is true prayer, that should incense us, with ardent affection to our heavenly father's will, allowed for his anointed Christ's sake, exercised aright in all places? Is blasphemy so well abated, 
●●●d. xx.  that there needeth no reformation for it? Is hypocrisy and the strange worshipping of the true God, with the obscuring of days, times and months. 
Gala. iiii.  And the holding in of the people, 
Esaie. i.  with such trifles as he can not abide, clean taken away from the christian congregation? Are Burroughes, Villages, Towns, Corporations and Cities, endued with sober, grave and prudent officers and counsellors, 
Exodus. viii.  abhorring avarice, covetousness, seeking the public and common commodity, handling the law in the true fear of god, without respect of persons. 
Leviticus. xix  Are laws so indifferently used, withouth favouring of the poor, and honouring of the mighty in righteous judgement, 
Leviticus. xi.  without rewards, gifts and bribes, that no man hath cause to complain? Is the poverty so honestly provided for, both in meat, drink and cloth, and houses founded for the sick, sore, blind, domme and lame, with honest pensions pertaining to the same, and the deacons appointed for the purpose, being men notable in word and wisdom, and of honest report, and full of the holy ghost: meet for such a needful business and necessary office. 
Acts. vi.  Do the Curates so tenderly favour the flock of the lord, without havoc making of the same: preaching to them the pure and sincere truth and verity, without feigning Fables, tales or lies: 
●●ro. xxxiii.  Converting the hearers, both with words and life, seeking the health of his poor afflicted, comforting them that be in heaviness and care, binding up the wounded hearts, preaching deliverance to them that be captive, declaring the acceptable year of the Lord and the fearful day of vengeance of our God 
●●ic. xli. ? Are there such honest and godly schools, and places of virtuous and godly exercise, in corporations, borrows towns and fair Cities, 
Regum. 16.  for the bringing up and honest nurteryng of children, and their tutors and schoolmasters, 
Regum. 2.  tried by men of gravity and pure literature, in what kind of doctrine they exercise them, either, with such learning as shall afterward make for the glory of our heavenly father, and the edification of the congregation of Christ's flock, or in such wicked doctrine, as shall pertain to the subversion both of themselves and of the commonalty, (for in them is the expectation, as well of virtue as of vice in all realms) and is the due inquisition of the same made in all quarters? Is there also diligent search in all places, for false weights and measures: that men in buying and selling, sustain neither damage nor loss. 
Proverb. xuj.  Is there such love amongst neighbours, that every man would no worse to his neighbour, then to his own heart. 
Math. seven.  And if it do happen or chance that any person break love, so that strife, variance, discord, debate and hatred do rise and grow between neighbour and neighbour, are the curates (for the which thing they received that same appellation) or the eyes of the parish (otherwise called, in our phrase of speech, the heads of the parish) ready (as their duty is) to reconciliate and to bring this putrefied wound to a concord. 
Math. v.  If these things, with many other, be in such case that in none of them there needeth reformation: there may the more liberty be given, to your honest recreation and sober pastimes. But if they be not done, take heed, how ye meddle with the other honest recreations and pastimes. For remember that ye are they that must bear the great charge and burden of the people. 
Deut. i  Unto whom, for conscience sake, the people must be in subjection. 
Roma. xiii.  Forasmuch as ye have the oversight of them, and aught so diligently to study and wait for them, as if you should give account (as you shall in deed) for the souls of the subjects. Therefore beware, that ye may make that great account, with joy and not with grief. 
Hebre. xiii.  Now, therefore do I sore muse, how this question (except it were by the privy suggestion of Satan, 
Sene. iii  worker of all mischief) could sink into any honest, & specially, into any Christian man's stomach, to demand, what they should do, or how they should be occupied, if these sinful pastimes (otherwise called honest recreations) were laid aside? If you would be as diligent to demand how ye should live well, how ye should behave yourselves to please GOD, how ye might remain in the fear and dread of God, as ye are to inquire for such vain trifles: o lord what a world should we then have shortly? And in conscience, I suppose, that this is the more meeter question of both, for a Christian man to demand. For with what face, darest thou enterprise, to inquire how thou shalt consume the day, in such wicked pastimes: with the abominations that longeth there to (as the blasphemy of Gods most holy name, drunkenness, excess, with many other more such like) seeing and considering, that thou art not certain, nor sure to live the half day? doest thou think it no danger, to fall into the hands of the Lord, 
Hebrews. x.  Haste thou no more dread of him that is able to kill both thy body and soul, and to cast them both into hell fire? 
Math. x.  Now ponder (I pray thee) the Sacred Scriptures that follow, what occupation and business, ye should by their counsel have, if these foolish pastimes were set a part. 
Math. xxiiii.  Matthew saith, wake because you know not what hour your master will come. Of this be you sure, that if the householder knew, what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch and not suffer his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready. For, in an hour as you think not, will the son of man come. Hear ye this ye sluggards? Matthew biddeth you wake: ye will say. We are never less disposed to sleep, then when we are at Tables, Cards, Dice, Bowls, tennis, or Chess. I grant that to be very true. But will that business please your heavenly master, when he cometh suddenly upon you? Matthew would have you as diligent to prepare, against the coming of the Lord: to vanquish and drive away, the assaults of the Devil, as the householder is diligent to prepare weapons against the coming of the Thief, that would break up his house, And would the householder (think you) fall to Cards, Dice, tennis, or Bowls, if he knew when the thief would come upon him? Matthew saith plainly nay, but he would watch saith he, if he knew what hour the thief would come, and prepare weapons to keep him of. And wilt thou (seeing thou art uncertain, when the Lord will come, as the householder is, what hour the thief will come) apply thyself to Dice, Tables, and Cards, and suffer the house of the living God to be broken up? For the temple of God is holy (saith saint Paul) which are ye, 
i Cor. iii  and think ye that there ought not as great study to be taken, for to defend the house that God made to his own similitude and likeness. 
Gene. 1.  And redeemed with his precious death. 
i. Peter. i.  From the snares of the wicked, against the coming of his master: as there ought to be for an house, that is made of lime and stone, and is in subjection to every tempest of water and wind? The which also was builded of a sinful man, and paid for, with corruptible silver and gold, that at his dying day, shall bid his Master adieu, and never do him pleasure after? The instruments that ye must prepare, to keep away the thief, against your masters coming, are not Bowls, dice Cards, Tables, Bowes, Knives, tennis, Balls, chessmen, Counters, poised Groats, Tops and Scourges, with such like a thousand more: which the devil hath invented, 
●●ke. xiii.  not, no. Saint Luke in his thirteen Chapter, telleth us of other manner of instruments, to pass away the time with, than these be, he saith with a deep stomach, take heed, watch and pray, for ye know not when the time is, and that I say to you, I say to you all, watch. Luke would have a Christian man's instrument to occupy himself withal, and to pass away the time, to consist in watching and praying, and the fleshly children of this world would have it to consist in Dicing, Carding, Bouling, and tennis playing, thou wilt say that it will irk, and weary one, ever to be watching and praying. I say unto thee, that of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh, for a good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth for the good things. 
●●th. xii.  As to do all thing what soever they go about, either in word or deed, in the name of the Lord jesus, giving thanks to God the father, by him: And to apply themselves, to watching, praying, and reading of the sacred scripture: as the fruits that spring out of the good treasure of their hearts. But an evil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth for the evil things, as dicing, Carding with such more a great number. For, if he had any better treasure, lying in his heart, he would surely bring it forth. But he hath no better, that he can take a man of trust, therefore evil as they be, so he uttereth them: For as they lie Canckerfretted at his heart, so he layeth them forth, take them up who list: therefore of thine own mouth I judge thee. Thou evil servant, 
Luke. xix.  canst thou find in thy heart, to pass away the time with Cards, Tennis, Tables and Dice day and night, without weariness and care? And sayest thou, to watch and pray and to be given to the wholesome meditation of God's word, will weary any man? Seeing the first is abroad path, leading to destruction, the which these unthrifty gamesters, can find out readily enough. The last is a very narrow path, leading to life and salvation, 
Math. seven.  the which is not yet trodden out of them: for it is unsearched for. 
●●ke. xxii.  Luke in the twelve Chapter also saith, Let your loins be girt round about, and your lights burning, and yourselves ready like men, that wait for their master, when he cometh from the wedding, that as soon as he cometh, and knocketh, they may open unto him. Blessed are those servants, which the lord when he cometh, shall find waking. Here I think Christ borroweth a similitude of them, that in the night time, use to prepare themselves in a readiness, against their masters coming home from the wedding, because he would have them so handsomely girt, that they may walk with the less let and impediment. But I think, if we should walk in the night, after our honest passing away of the time, to meet with our master, we had need I suppose to be well covered about our heads, lest the wind make our brains dizzy, and we stagger out of the right path, and reel like night riottours, and drunkards, and they that walk in the night. For the most part use to carry light with them (specially if they fetch home any great man) for in the broad day, they use to carry no lights (as the superstitious sort have used now of late days: and as some yet at this present do, if they were well sought out) for no better will their Curates teach them: but to light candles in the clearest Son shine in the year, and stick them upon posts, stools, and walls, before Idols, to show them light, and yet they themselves with their Idols remain stark blind. What think ye that these lights he, that ye must meet him with, cards, tables, or Dice, and other such like trumperies? Surely they shall show a fair light. And as well shall he welcome you with them, as he did the five foolish virgins, which had no oil of their own, but when Christ came, they were feign to go a borrowing, and when they came and knocked, were shut out of the doors. 
Math. xxv.  Beware ye pass not away the time so long with such vain folly, that your good works be to seek, and then ye knock tarde at Heaven Gates, and for lack of knowledge, ye be shut out of the doors. Take heed in time, for those servants shallbe blessed, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find waking. 
●●ke. xii. Thes. u  saith, that the day of the Lord, shall come as a thief in the night, for when they shall say, peace and no danger, then cometh there on them sudden destruction, as the traveling of a woman with child: and they shall not escape. Hear ye this ye blasphemers? Hear ye this thing, ye wicked gamesters? Hear ye this thing, ye witty & fleshly children of this world? Now go to, apply your business, to the Cards, Tables, Dice, tennis, Chess and Bowls, as fast as ye can: for the Lord will come at your pleasure, when ye will, and not before ye will have him come. So will the thief come and reave up your house, and not before. Ply your business, as fast as ye can: haste up your wickedness, and let not for it: neither care for any threatenings at gods mouth, for he is to weak to perform his promise. But of this be ye sure, that as justly as a teming woman that is with child, must needs suffer the travail thereof, whether she will or not, and can not avoid it. Even so, think not the contrary, but when the Lord cometh, ye shallbe taken as he findeth you, and shall not escape, but as ye have wrought the works of your body, so must ye (spite of your guts) appear before the judgement seat of Christ, to give your accounts. 
i Cor. v.  Be patient and settle your hearts, for the coming of the lord draweth nigh. Behold the judge standeth before the door, jaco. v Hear james playeth the bug with you, and in a manner, mouth to mouth: 
james. v.  he maketh him to knock at the door of your conscience, that ye should in time, if it might be, withdraw yourselves from such vanity. Is it meet think you to pass away the time with such trifles, when the judge standeth at the door? but if ye will needs upon such foolishness notwithstanding all these comminations and threatenings, beware I say, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 
i. Peter. u  Be sober and watch, for your oduersary the devil as a roaring Lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist, steadfast in the faith. Who is this, saith Peter, that provoketh you to this wicked invention, that ye demand so wittily what we shall do, if these vain pastimes were laid a part? he saith plainly that it is the Devil, who goeth roaring about seeking whom he may devour, where doth he search to devour you? in your faith saith the Apostle, for if ye apply yourselves to the deeds of faith, without the which (saith Paul) it is impossible to please God. 
hebrews. xi.  As to pureness of living, 
●uke. i.  to the forsaking of the devil with all his works, 
● Peter. i.  to follow the deeds of the spirit. 
●ala. u  Then forthwith rageth the adversary, then fumeth the devil, then seeketh he whom he may devour. But follow the appetite of the wicked flesh, and satiate her lust and desire, and ye shall be his fair children, ye shallbe chekens meet for his own tooth, he shall strike your heads, and make very much of you, for ye are well worthy, seeing ye are servants meet for such a master. 
Psalm. xviii.  Dice, card, tens, bowl, play and chess, with all other fleshly pastimes, day & night. Lay on oaths, tear god with all his holy members as small as herbs to the pot. And the devil will never hinder you, never roar at you, he will never seek who he may devour: for he hath you fast knit to the deeds of darkness. 
Rom. xiii.  And keepeth you still in the same, as children of unbelief. 
Ephe. two.  And what needeth the devil to seek for them, seeing they seek so fast to run to him, with the passing away of time, in such vain sports and recreations of the wit, and solacing of the mind? Therefore after the counsel of Peter, be sober and watch yet a very little while, and he that shall come, will come and will not tarry. 
Hebrews x  He will not tarry (saith Paul) again or two at the Tables, Cards, Chess or Dice, and then have with ye, say you, pass away the time at your pleasure, apply yourselves to such vanities as long as ye list, demand what ye should do, how ye should spend the time, if these wicked gamenynges were laid aside, as often as ye list? Paul maketh you a plain answer, that he that cometh, will come, and will not tarry. For if with all expedition and readiness, he would have his disciple follow him, when he intended a matter of no less godliness, then necessary: as to bury his father. 
watch. viii.  He granted him no liberty, but commanded him, to follow him strait way, and to suffer the dead to bury their dead. And think you that he will tarry your leisure, till ye have played a game or two, in a matter of wickedness that defaceth God's glory (for as much as it is a deed of the flesh (and prejudicial to the edification of your neighbour? no, no. He that cometh: will come and will not tarry. Therefore if thou wilt know, how thou shouldest be occupied, if these vain pastimes were laid a side, resort now and then, yea, rather continually, 
●●c. i.  to the most wholesome word of God, and there meditate and exercise thyself, and if thou canst not read, then let thy servants or Children read unto thee, if none of them can read, then fear the vengeance of GOD, for thy negligent bringing up of them. For the good free shall be known by his fruit, and the had tree like wise. 
Math. seven.  And Paul counteth him that provideth not for his own and specially for them of his household: to deny the faith, and to be worse than an infidel. 
i Timo. v.  And to the galatians 
Galat. v.  he calleth the household of faith, that in Timothe he called his own household. Let therefore your youth be godly instruct. For as the common biworde is, such a father such a son, such a master, such a servant: and as the head of the household is, so are the members 
Psalm. xvii  And David also, calleth the family blessed, that fear the Lord. 
Psalm. cxx●  For in the virtuous nurturing of the children, consisteth the quietness of all Realms, and namely in such as are made unto the similitude of their Lord God. 
Genesis. i.  Therefore in season, let them taste of the sweet word of God, and savour of the kingdom of heaven, 
Psalm. xxxi  that they in the same holy word, comfort both you and themselves. And as I said unto you, if ye list to know how to pass away the time: busy your minds in the Sacred Bible, and taste how pleasant the Lord is. 
Peter. i.  And when ye have satiate your minds therein, fall to prayer and supplication, and desire thy almighty Father, who fulfilled the whole sum of his word, in his son Christ. 
Timo. i  That for his reverence and worthiness, he will illuminate the eyes of thy fleshly heart, that thou mayest obtain the perfect sense of the same. 
●●lm. cxviii.  Then mark what vocation thou art of. If thou art the chief ruler of the people, and the principal among the members, and the head of the congregation. I exhort thee, for conscience sake, let never this question enter into your stomach, to demand what shall we do to pass away the time in trifles of folly? But rather ponder these three things, what knowledge is there in our Realm, if that be wanting, fall to dreaming with Solomon that wise ruler, and God shall appear, and give you your request, therefore inquire for knowledge, and ye shall have it abundantly, and the things also that ye require not, shall be given unto you. 
Regum. 3.  Wherefore look diligently, what knowledge reigneth in your Realm: Then mark what fear of God there is in you, to delate the true word of GOD, and what an heart you have to maintain the same. For the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. 
prover. i  And therefore, ye that be the governors of the people, fear GOD, and ye shall ratify the things that be good. 
Ecclesi. xv.  Thirdly, mitigate your hearts, and subdue your minds, having no respect unto the sublimity, and superiority of your state, in comparison to your subjects, but rather in subjection to your Lord God. And mark well that you are ministers, yea, ministers I say to him, unto whom you shall make a strait account. 
Hebre. xiii.  And here remember, that in as much as ye are the ministers of God, God hath given you a sword in your hand, to deface malefactors, and to preserve the innocent. Therefore, occupy it to God's glory. 
Roma. xiii.  And to the subversion of the bloody kingdom of Antichrist: after the example of king Ihon. 
iiii. Regum  And all we your true loving subjects, will heartily maintain you, with our prayers to GOD, who always preserve you. 
Timo. two.  And here rest and quiet yourselves, to the glory of God: for in these three things, are many things to bewailed. If thou be a Spiritual judge of Christ's flock, or a superintendant of his congregation. Is it meet to demand, how thou shalt pass away the time, if such vain pastimes are laid a side? Not, not, there should be no such undiscrete words or language, and specially among such persons. For, your communication, is a sore incitation to the common sort of the people: For of your words do they wholly depend. The more pity, if it pleased God: without they were as the words of God. 
Peter. iiii.  You rejoice very much, to have taken your power and authority of Peter, and learn ye these lessons of him, then am I deceived? For I am sure, he made no such answer unto Christ, when he demanded of him, 
●on. xxi.  whether he did love him or no. He answered him, yea lord, thou knowest that I love thee. If ye count Peter to be your predecessor, then follow the ensample of him, and love Christ. What must ye do then, if ye love? Must ye apply yourselves to dicing, Carding, Hunting, and Hawking? Not, that is not the way to follow Peter. What then? Feed my sheep, saith Christ to Peter. Now then, if ye love Christ with Peter, ye must with Peter feed, feed, not Palfreys, geldings, Horses, and a kennel of Dogs, but my sheep, saith Christ. In deed Christ, often times by a certain metapher, and phrase of speaking, doth mutuate and borrow, the unreasonable, for the reasonable, as it appeareth in the xxj. and also in the tenth of saint John, 
Ihon. x. &. x.  where he saith, a good Shepherd will give his life for his Sheep. Yet all the world in a manner will testify, that he died neither for Sheep, nor Oxen. 
i Corin. ix.  But for the Christian Congregation he died. 
Esaic. liii.  So when he commanded Peter, and you in Peter (if ye be his true successors) with pasce, pasce, fede, fede, that ye should feed that Congregation, the which he died for, that his beloved spouse, the holy Catholic Church, of the which he is the head. 
Ephe. vi.  But I pray GOD, ye feed them not, as the Prophet Ezechiel in his xxxiiij. 
〈◊〉. xxxiiii.  Chapter specifieth, saying. Woe be unto the shepherds of Israel, that feed themselves: should not the shepherds feed their flocks? You have eaten up the fat, ye have clothed your selves with the wool. The best fed have ye slain, but the flock have ye not nourished. The weak have ye not holden up The sick have ye not healed, the broken have ye not bound together. The outcasts have ye not brought again. The lost have ye not sought, but churlishely, and most cruelly have ye ruled them. These things are right contrary, and clean beside the commandment, that Peter received of our saviour Christ. For he commanded him to feed the flock, and not to eat away the fat from their beards, and feed themselves, and (in the mean while) let the flock starve for lack of food. This is not to feed of love, but of compulsion. 
●●●ter. u  Not for Christ's sake, but for the beallies sake. 
●●i. iii  Mark now Ezechielles Prophecy with a single eye: and fulfil the things that he, with the residue of the Prophets appointeth you, and ye shall find more necessary things pertaining to your office, then to cast holy water, and deal holy bread, or to bid fasting, or holy days on the Sondaie. For if you look well on your duty, and ransack every corner thereof, none otherwise, than ye shall at the counting day, give an answer therefore. 
Ezech. iii  You shall (if ye have any conscience, or any dread of god before your eyes) have small affection to demand, how ye shall pass away the time, if these vanities were laid aside. But in no wise how soever ye do, what so ever is written, or spoken unto you, take little heed to yourselves. But yet I say, beware against the time, and have your answer in a readiness, when it shall be said unto you, give account of thy Bailiwike: for thou mayest no longer be bailiff. 
Luke. xuj,  Therefore be not offended, although I writ the truth, for ye know where the words be contained: not in my imagination, but in the sacred Scripture. If ye be offended therewith, remember that God and his word are all one 
●●n. i.  Now conclude the sequel yourselves, for ye know my mind. If thou be a temporal, or seculare judge, remember well that then there is no time reserved, for thee to demand, how ye shall pass away the time in such trifles of folly: but rather day and night, ponder and weigh what is lawful and right. 
●che. two.  In your judgement be equal and righteous: and diligently search out the truth. 
●eremi. u  If ye have executed the law unrightously (the which of itself, is very just and true) learn now to do right, apply yourselves to equity, deliver the oppressed, help the fatherless to his right: let the widows complaint come before you. 
●●e, i  Remember that ye ought to be learned, ye that exercise the laws upon the earth, lest ye perish from the right way. 
●●●m. two.  So that by such knowledge, ye may discern, neither to favour the poor, neither to honour the mighty, 
●●●ter. u  but to pronounce the judgement of the lord, 
●i. iii  and to judge your neighbours in righteousness. 
iticus. xix.  Now, weigh these things a right, and exercise them according unto your office, as ye shall give account for it, at the last day when ye yourselves shall be judged, as ye have judged other. 
Luke. vi.  And join a christian man's life thereto, that is, to serve GOD in holiness and righteousness, all the days of your life. 
Luke. i.  And then mark in what corner of a pure conscience, thou shalt demand how thou shalt occupy the days and nights, to pass away the time. If thou be of the inferior sort, and of the vulgar company, thou haste thy duty showed thee before: Saving this one thing remaineth, that ye must consider, in as much as ye are subjects, ye must live in all submission, and lowliness, and in true obedience toward your rulers & governors, as Paul plainly recordeth to the romans. 
Roma. xiii  Let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers. Here GOD excepteth no man, not not him, that weareth three Crowns at once, nor none of his rabble, be he spiritual or temporal, if he be comprehended under the name of a subject (as all men be, saving the Rulers only) For that Paul here calleth every living soul: men that are expert in the Hebrew tongue do call it every living man. Now of the triple crowned gentleman, that Antichrist of Rome be a living man (as I think he is, without there be an alteration made in nature, as there hath before this time been in his predecessor) he must by the rule of Paul, put of his crowns, and lay them at the temporal ruler's feet. And fall to repentance, that by his usurped power he hath suffered so many of his superiors to kneel and to kiss his filthy feet. And therefore in this behalf, I count him, as I do all other of his order beside, very subjects, even equal with them, that are of the lowest sort, of the temporality: yea equal with them that aught to wash men's feet. 
●n. xiii.  And therefore as many as be subjects, must live in all lowliness and just obedience unto their rulers and governors, yea, although they be infidels. 
●n. xiii.  And to this doth Peter well agreed, saying, submit yourselves unto all manner of ordinance of man for the lords sake. etc. So long as they ordain nothing contrary to the express word of God. 
Daniel. iii  If they do: yet resist them not with power of violence, but with the word and patience, 
jerem. xxx●  but be thou steadfast in the promise, 
Math. v.  and suffer for conscience sake. For he that resisteth, shall receive to himself damnation: for as much as he resisteth the ordinance of God. 
Roma. xiii.  I would therefore that our spiritual father should take heed in time, and put his Sword into the Scabarde again. 
Math. xxvi.  For without the great mercy of God, they are all damned with the devil of hell. Now therefore I exhort you by the mercifulness of GOD, and by that affection that ye have to be buried with Christ in baptism. 
Roma. vi.  And in that ye desire to be holy as he is holy, in all manner of conversation, 
s. Peter. i.  avoid the wicked deeds of the flesh. 
Gala. v.  And if ye be risen again with Christ, seek those things which are above, where he sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on heavenly things, and not on earthly things. 
Colloss. iii  And backbite not this poor and simple invective, against these swarms of vices if ye do, mark where ye reprehend it, and confer the Scriptures withal, (for in a manner without God's word is nothing spoken. Then if the scripture be true (as I trust ye will grant no less) beware ye resist not the truth against your conscience: but rather fortify it to your power and strength, to the glory of God, and to the subversion of vices. And thus I commit you to the word of his grace. God save the Queen and her most honourable Counsel, with the whole Commons.  
AMEN.   

 

  

   

¶ These books are to be sold at the sign of the black Boy at the little north door of Paul's.   


H KING