A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

Lastly, their hypocrisy, with the covertly carriage of their intended plagues, Rom. 16.18. By good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple. Without this there could be no Privily: appearance would condemn them. Vice dares not walk without a borrowed shape: like an old courtesan, guilty of her own witheredness, she never goes without a mask. Countenances furthest from native beauty, love artificial shadows. Never ill would appear it self, if it could be hid. Hypocrisy is the usher of Heresy, a marshal that makes way for her, and cries Room, here comes my Lady. Like the wench that led Saint Peter into the high Priests Hall; but not with the same purpose, to declare him. Ignorant people are beguiled with glosses and colours, as boys with babies, and Indians with rattles, and such pretty toys. Satan himself seems fair, when he is dressed up like an Angel of light: and a Wolfe cunningly apparelled in a sheep-skin, cozens the poor lambs. That damnable Heretic Pelagius, was a man of austere conversation: and false prophets come with a rough garment next their skins, like a Gibeonite in his old shoes. Therefore we must learn to distinguish between Samuel and the Devil, which the Witch of Endor suborned in his likeness: and we may easily do it, by his ascending out of the earth. Hypocrites think, as Brutus said when he was dying; that virtue it self was but a name; that all piety is but a name, and that name they get. Who were they that opposed Pauls Sermon at Antioch? Act. Chap. 13. vers. 50. Devout and honourable women, and the chief men. Devout; that they were honourable persons, no wonder: that they were wise after the flesh, no wonder: that they were mighty, no wonder. For, 1 Cor. 1.26. Not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. But that Devout, religious, zealous persons should resist the truth; this is strange, yet true. Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, those three resisters of Moses, were the most famous and eminent men in the congregation. Let us therefore pray ⟨p. 387⟩God, that they may be either inwardly Lambs, as they are not: or appear outwardly wolves, as they are: either to turn their hearts from their wolvish condition, or to pull their sheep-skin over their ears: that no jugglers may privily by their mists and mysteries, pervert the flock of Jesus Christ.