which causeth and bringeth vpon men all disastrous effects, when
although it be shadowed with a beautifull Maske of holines, faire
tongued: yet false-harted,[b] _professing they know God, but in works
deny him_. And among these there be two especiall sorts; the one, who
entertaining a stubborne, and curious rash boldnes, striue by the
iudgem[~e]t of reason, to search ouer-deeply into the knowledge of those
things which are farre aboue the reach of any humane capacitie. And so
making shipwracke in this deep and vnfoundable Sea, ouerwhelme
themselues in the gulfe thereof. The other kind is more sottish, dull,
and of a slow wit, and therefore ouer-credulous, beleeuing euerie thing,
especially when they be carried by the violent tempest of their desires,
and other vngouerned affections; and among these the diuell vsually
spreadeth his netts, as assured of a prey, wayting closely if hee can
espie any, who either grow discontented and desperate, through want and
pouerty, or be exasperated with a wrathfull and vnruly passion of
reuenge, or transported by vnsatiable loue to obtaine some thing they
desire; and these hee taking aduantage, assaulteth with golden and
glorious promises, to performe vnto them the wishes of their owne
hearts; the drift whereof is (hee being as at the first incased in a
subtile Serpents skinne) onely to enthrall and invassall them slaues to
himselfe. The first of these mentioned, are slie and masked Atheists,
who ouer-shadow their secret impiety, loose and dissolute behauiour with
some outward conformitie and shew of religion, snatching (as they
thinke) a sufficient warrantize thereof from those disorders they
obserue among men, and therfore passe vncensured, hauing a ciuill, but
dissembled carriage. The second be Sorcerers, Wisards, Witches, and the
rest of that ranke and kindred: no small multitude swarming now in the
world, yet supposed of many, rather worthy pitty then punishment, as
deluded by fantasies, and mis-led, not effecting those harmes wherewith
they bee charged, or themselues acknowledge. But considering they be