Thirdly, hence we see the evident cause of that preposterous course of the world, which most men take in spending their wit, and strength, ⟨p. 135⟩some for riches, others for honours and pleasures, and in the mean while they can spare no time for religion, to seek Gods favour in Christ, and the graces of the spirit: It may be they will afford a good word unto Religion, but yet they regard it not in respect of other things. And this is the behaviour not of some few, but of all sorts, and degrees of men naturally. Now the cause hereof is this cursed evil thought, whereby men persuade themselves, they be righteous, and need no repentance, and till this thought be rooted out of mans heart, he will never value the word and religion of God according to the worth thereof, so as with the good Merchant he will part with all that he hath, ⟨p. 136⟩rather then he will be frustrate of this pearl. Math. 13. 45, 46. Indeed men use to plead thus for themselves; we confess our selves to be sinners, and therefore we cannot think such a wicked thought, that we need no repentance; But we must know, that both these may well stand together, in the wicked heart of man; he may confess himself to be a sinner, and yet think that he is righteous: for is not this▪ the common practise to make great sins, little sins & little sins, no sins? Do not men clothe vice in virtues robe, and turn out virtue in the rotten rags of vice? Is not drunkenness counted good fellowship, & kind neighbourhood? Is not swearing made the token of a brave mind, and Pride counted ⟨p. 137⟩decency; and fornication, but a trick of youth; and covetousness esteemed good thrift, and carefulness? On the other side, is not the more sincere profession of religion termed preciseness, Puritanism, Hypocrisy, and such like? doth not he that refraineth the common sins of the time, make himself a pray to the mouths of the ungodly? Now where these things are, though the mouth say, I am a sinner; yet the heart thinketh I am righteous, and so it is apparent this thought is common among us.
Thirdly, hence we see the euident cause of that preposterous course of the world, which most men take in spending their witte, and strength, ⟨p. 135⟩some for riches, others for honours and pleasures, and in the meane while they can spare no time for religion, to seeke Gods fauour in Christ, and the graces of the spirit: It may bee they will afford a good worde vnto Religion, but yet they regarde it not in respect of other things. And this is the behauiour not of some few, but of all sorts, and degrees of men naturally. Now the cause heereof is this cursed euill thought, whereby men perswade themselues, they be righteous, and need no repentance, and till this thought be rooted out of mans heart, he will neuer value the word and religion of God according to the worth thereof, so as with the good Marchant he wil part with al that he hath, ⟨p. 136⟩rather then he wiil be frustrate of this pearle. Math. 13. 45, 46. Indeede men vse to pleade thus for themselues; wee confesse our selues to be sinners, and therefore wee cannot thinke such a wicked thought, that we need no repentance; But we must knowe, that both these may well stand together, in the wicked heart of man; he may confesse himselfe to bee a sinner, and yet thinke that hee is righteous: for is not this▪ the cōmon practise to make great sins, little sins & little sins, no sins? Doe not men cloath vice in vertues robe, and turne out vertue in the rotten ragges of vice? Is not drunkennes counted good fellowship, & kinde neighbourhood? Is not swearing made the token of a braue minde, and Pride counted ⟨p. 137⟩decencie; and fornication, but a tricke of youth; and couetousnes esteemed good thrift, and carefulnes? On the other side, is not the more sincere profession of religion termed precysenes, Puritanisme, Hypocrisie, and such like? doth not hee that refrayneth the common sinnes of the time, make himselfe a pray to the mouthes of the vngodly? Nowe where these things are, though the mouth say, I am a sinner; yet the heart thinketh I am righteous, and so it is apparant this thought is common among vs.
