Samuel's encounter with Saul. I Sam. chap. 15 from ver. 13 to ver. 30.…Samuels encounter with Saul. I Sam. chap. 15 from ver. 13 to ver. 30.…

The first branch.

Concerning the first branch of these two: how common is it, though it be most palpable and gross, that the goodness which men do,¹ shall be spoken of by them, and set forth to the eyes of the world, as if none were like to them therein: neither might any thing be laid to their charge, how faulty soever they be otherwise. Now if any allege, that for all their boasting of their goodness, many abominations are in their lives, they turn all such accusations behind them, with him who being full of great sins, healed up all with these speeches, I am no adulterer, ⟨p. 125⟩I fast twice in the week, I give alms, &c. so these because they have somewhat to boast of, therefore all their filthiness must be forgotten, though the stench of it annoy all places about them▪ as is to be seen in that answer of Abner, who being accused by poor• Ishbosheth for defiling his fathers Concubine, answered:² am I a dogs head which against Judah show mercy to the house of Saul, &c? all his sin must be covered with the good service he had done to Ishbosheth. Which, yet take it at the best, was in him none of the best, as his own words after declare, in the 9. verse. But to return, the like practise is at this day to be seen in Popery, who under a vizoured ⟨p. 126⟩colour of holiness, commit all kind of wickedness: painted sepulchres they are, full of dead mens bones: particular instances are innumerable, therefore I say no more, for it is but lost labour.

Concerning the first branch of these two: how common is it, though it bee most palpable and grosse, that the goodnes which men doe,