The Practice of Piety

Be the same in the sight of God, who beholds thy heart, that thou seemest to be in the eyes of men that see thy face. Content not thy self with an outward good name, ¹when thy Conscience shall inwardly tell thee it is undeserved, and therefore none of thine. A deserved good name for any thing, but for godliness, lasts little, and is less worth. In all the holy Scriptures I never read of an Hypocrites repentance: and no wonder, for whereas after sin, conversion is left as a means to cure all other sinners; what mean•• remains to recover him who hath converted conversion it self into sin? Woe therefore unto the Soul that is not, & yet still seem religious.

Be the same in the sight of God, who beholds thy heart, that thou seemest to be in the eyes of men that see thy face. Content not thy selfe with an outward good name, ¹when thy Conscience shall inwardly tell thee it is vndeserued, and therefore none of thine. A deserued good name for any thing, but for godlinesse, lasts little, and is lesse worth. In all the holy Scriptures I neuer read of an Hypocrites repentance: and no wonder, for whereas after sinne, conuersion is left as a meanes to cure all other sinners; what mean•• remaines to recouer him who hath conuerted conuersion it selfe into sinne? Woe therefore vnto the Soule that is not, & yet stil seeme religious.

1. 1Nil ivvat bonum nomen re clamante Conscientia.Nil iuuat bonum nomen re clamante Conscientia.

7 Mark the fearful ends of notorious evil men, to abhor their wicked actions; mark the life of the godly, ¹