Remains of that reverend and learned divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in…Remaines of that reverend and learned divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in…

Secondly, the second deceit or pretence is this, ¹they say they have as good meanings as the best whatsoever they may speak; and they have as good harts as the best, whatsoever they do: and therefore they are humble enough, that is, they need no more humiliation.

Secondly, the second deceit or pretence is this, ¹they say they have as good meanings as the best whatsoeuer they may speake; and they have as good harts as the best, whatsoeuer they doe: and therefore they are humble enough, that is, they neede no more humiliation.

1. 12. Deceit. Object.

To this I answer briefly, you lye; for if your ¹actions be naught, your heart is worse, and if your speeches be rotten, your meaning is far worse then either thy action or thy speech: if your ⟨p. 222⟩speeches be rotten and smell of hell, and yet say that you mean better, or that your meaning is better then you outwardly express, it is false: for we say, that if we see sparks of fire come out of the chimney, we conclude that the fire within is far greater; so if thy speeches and actions be bad, thy meaning is worse, there is a greater fire within: actions are but the fruits of the heart, or branches that proceed from it. Now in a natural plant we say, that if the fruit be bitter, the root is much more bitter, because the cause is always greater then the effect: even so, if thou hast naughty speeches and actions, if there be bitterness in them, thy meaning hath much more bitterness in it, because it is the root from which these spring; therefore let not your good meaning keep you from being humble.