A Golden Chain

It is one of the most grievous judgements that is, if it be final. For as a sick man, then is most sick, when he feels the least sickness, and saith he is well: so miserable man is in most misery when he feels no misery, and thinks himself in good estate.

It is one of the most grieuous iudgements that is, if it be final. For as a sicke man, then is most sicke, when he feeles the least sicknes, and saith he is well: so miserable man is in most miserie when he feeles no miserie, and thinkes himselfe in good estate.

This sin befalls them that judge themselves righteous, needing no repentance. As the Pharisees in the days of Christ, the Catharists in the primitive Church, & the Anabaptists in our age. Add unto these such as have hardened their hearts: so as they can discern between good and evil, nor tremble at Gods judgements, but rather fret & rage against them: till God in his wrath either destroy them, or cast them to final despair. As it befell Julian the Apostate, who died blaspheming and casting his own blood into the air.

This sin befalls them that iudge themselues righteous, needing no repentance. As the Pharises in the daies of Christ, the Catharists in the primitiue Church, & the Anabaptists in our age. Adde vnto these such as haue hardened their hearts: so as they can discerne betweene good and euill, nor tremble at Gods iudgements, but rather fret & rage against them: till God in his wrath either destroy them, or cast them to final despaire. As it befell Iulian the Apostata, who died blaspheming and casting his owne blood into the aire.

Between the two extremes Repentance and Impenitency, is placed counterfeit repentance. For the wicked nature of man can dissemble and counterfeit Gods grace, as the Lord complains of the Jews: Her rebellious sister Judah, hath not returned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly saith the Lord,