more excellent lustre, by reason of its discipline.

"I have examined myself with fasting, to see if any weakness or laxity
in my office, as shepherd of this flock, might be the occasion of this
license given to Satan. And it behooveth you, each in his own soul,
and in his own household, to make inquisition lest some sin of his or
theirs, bring this new temptation of card-playing, upon our people,
even as the wedge of fine gold which Achan took and hid in his tent,
did mightily discomfit the host of Israel with the plagues of the
Lord. For even as for the sin of Adam, we are all justly chargeable,
so for the sins of one another, doth the justice of God afflict us, so
that we may find our account in watching over our brethren, even as
over ourselves.

"And you, whom Satan hath led away captive," pursued the reverend
orator, addressing himself to the young men in the stocks, "be ye
thankful that ye have not been permitted to escape this temporal
recompense of your transgression, which, if proved, may save you from
the eternal flames of hell, Reflect, whether it be not better to
endure for a season, the contempt and the chastisement of men, rather
than to bear the torments and jeers of the devil and his angels
forever."

"Behold," said the minister, holding up the pack of cards taken from
the prisoners, "with what instruments Satan doth tempt mankind, and
consider how perverse must be the inclination which can be tempted by
devices that do so plainly advertise their devilish origin. At times
Satan doth so shrewdly mask his wiles that if it were possible the
very elect might be deceived, but how evidently doth he here reveal
his handiwork."