A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

There be two degrees of hypocrisy: first, when men profess that which is not in their heart at all. The second, when men make profession of more then is in their heart. This second kind of hypocrisy oft befalleth the children of God; and it is that which Christ reproveth in this Church of Sardis, in the former vers. After which reproof, here he propoundeth a remedy to their vice, and a reason to move them to use the same. The remedy is in the beginning of the verse, where are two duties prescribed: To be watchful, and to strengthen or confirm the decayed graces of God in them. For the first, Be watchful: to be watchful here, is a most worthy and excellent duty, it is not bodily, but spiritual: and it is practised when any man hath a circumspect care and diligent heed in respect of the salvation of his soul. This duty of watchfulness concerneth two things; sin, and death▪ Watchfulness against sin stands in two duties; First, a man must daily and continually bethink himself before hand of all sins and vices into which he may happily fall & for the doing of this, he must consider in himself two things; his Nature and his Calling▪ Touching his Nature, he must consider, that in him remains the seed and root of all sin, and therefore that he may fall into any sin whatsoever. Again, a man considering his nature, shall find himself more inclined to some sins then to others: and those he must especially mark and observe. Secondly, for his Calling: a man must mark the sins thereof: for since the fall of man, every calling hath his especial sins, whereto men that walk therein are more incident. The Magistrate hath his sins, the Minister his: the Lawyer his, the Physician his, and the Trades-man his. And touching these, a man must consider unto what vices and abuses men are most subject, that walk in that calling wherein he liveth, and so shall he have a foresight of the sins that he may fall into. Secondly, after this foresight of sin: he must watch his heart with all diligence, that though it be tempted and assaulted, yet it be not tainted with any one sin; as the wise man counselleth, ^(e)Keep thy heart with all diligence, that so the fountain of all thy actions may be kept holy and pure. The second part of this, watchfulness respecteth death, or the second coming of Christ. In this, two things must be practised:

There be two degrees of hypocrisie: first, when men professe that which is not in their heart at all. The second, when men make profession of more then is in their heart. This second kind of hypocrisie oft befalleth the children of God; and it is that which Christ reprooueth in this Church of Sardis, in the former vers. After which reproofe, here he propoundeth a remedie to their vice, and a reason to mooue them to vse the same. The remedie is in the beginning of the verse, where are two duties prescribed: To bee watchfull, and to strengthen or confirme the decayed graces of God in them. For the first, Be watchfull: to bee watchfull here, is a most worthy and excellent dutie, it is not bodily, but spirituall: and it is practised when any man hath a circumspect care and diligent heed in respect of the saluation of his soule. This dutie of watchfulnesse concerneth two things; sinne, and death Watchfulnes against sinne stands in two duties; First, a man must daily and continually bethinke himselfe before hand of all sinnes and vices into which he may happily fall & for the doing of this, he must consider in himselfe two hings; his Nature and his Calling Touching his Nature, he must consider, that in him remaines the seed and roote of all sin, and therefore that hee may fall into any sinne whatsoeuer. Againe, a man considering his nature, shall finde himselfe more inclined to some sinnes then to others: and those hee must especially marke and obserue. Secondly, for his Calling: a man must marke the sinnes thereof: for since the fall of man, euery calling hath his especiall sins, wherto men that walke therein are more incident. The Magistrate hath his sins, the Minister his: the Lawyer his, the Physition his, and the Trades-man his. And touching these, a man must consider vnto what vices and abuses men are most subiect, that walke in that calling wherein he liueth, and so shal he haue a foresight of the sinnes that he may fall into. Secondly, after this foresight of sin: he must watch his heart with all diligence, that though it bee tempted and assaulted, yet it bee not tainted with any one sin; as the wise man counselleth,