For, lest he should have laid too great fault on himself, in confessing his sin, therefore saying, I have sinned: therefore he said,1 I was afraid, if I had not yielded to them, contrary to Gods Commandment, to ⟨p. 274⟩save alive the best of the cattle, that they would have rebelled and have risen up against me. Lo, this was the bladder without wind, and cloud without water, which appeared in Saul, when he was at the best, I mean, brought to confess his sin, which was nothing but a lie, and a coloured excuse. For, the Lord by the Prophet, in the 19 verse, convinced him of a covetous mind and disobedient, that he himself turned to the prey. So, that as he was hardly brought thus far, as to confess his sin, so yet when he did it, it was for fear of losing his Kingdom: yet, even this (which seemed good in him) was corrupt and naught: for besides that, he ⟨p. 275⟩bewrayed so much himself, as I have said, by excusing his fact, so doth the Spirit of God by Samuel, bewray the same in the next verse, where he plainly showeth, that he did not accept, nor allow of it. What shall we say then, if it be thus?2 Truly this: that it is an hard thing for an hypocrite, to leave and forgo his trade of dissembling, even as it was for Demetrius, 3to forgo his wicked gain; and for the Blackmore to change his skin, by washing; which, though it be true of all sins leaning to manward; yet somewhat more it may be said of the hypocrite, then of other sinners: For an open offender (as Paul and the Jailer were) when he is pricked in conscience, ⟨p. 276⟩and troubled in mind, shall much easilier be persuaded, that it is in truth, and shall be forgiven then the hypocrite shall: not that I stint or restrain the work of the Spirit, that it cannot be as effectual in one, as in another: but God so disposeth ordinarily, that the hypocrite having sinned more grossly and grievously, shall be harderly able to apply, and be persuaded of Gods promises, then other sinners; though they be in a like manner delivered to them both. Ordinarily, I say (though God may, when it pleaseth him, do otherwise) but he shall long (for the most part) be under the doctrine, before he shall resolve of his uprightness.
For, lest hee should haue layd too great fault on himselfe, in confessing his sinne, therefore saying, I haue sinned: therefore hee sayd,1 I was afrayd, if I had not yeelded to them, contrary to Gods Commandement, to ⟨p. 274⟩saue aliue the best of the cattle, that they would haue rebelled and haue risen vp a gainst me. Lo, this was the bladder without winde, and cloud without water, which appeared in Saul, when hee was at the best, I meane, brought to confesse his sin, which was nothing but a lie, and a coloured excuse. For, the Lord by the Prophet, in the 19 verse, conuinced him of a couetous minde and disobedient, that he himselfe turned to the prey. So, that as hee was hardly brought thus farre, as to confesse his sinne, so yet when hee did it, it was for feare of losing his Kingdome: yet, euen this (which seemed good in him) was corrupt and naught: for besides that, he ⟨p. 275⟩bewrayed so much himselfe, as I haue sayd, by excusing his fact, so doth the Spirit of God by Samuel, bewray the same in the next verse, where he plainely sheweth, that he did not accept, nor allow of it. What shall we say then, if it be thus?2 Truly this: that it is an hard thing for an hypocrite, to leaue and forgoe his trade of dissembling, euen as it was for Demetrius, 3to forgoe his wicked gaine; and for the Blackmore to change his skin, by washing; which, though it bee true of all sinnes leaning to manward; yet somewhat more it may be sayd of the hypocrite, then of other sinners: For an open offender (as Paul and the Iaylour were) when hee is pricked in conscience, ⟨p. 276⟩and troubled in minde, shall much easilier bee perswaded, that it is in truth, and shall bee forgiuen then the hypocrite shall: not that I stint or restraine the worke of the Spirit, that it cannot bee as effectuall in one, as in another: but God so disposeth ordinarily, that the hypocrite hauing sinned more grossely and greeuously, shall be harderly able to apply, and be perswaded of Gods promises, then other sinners; though they bee in a like manner deliuered to them both. Ordinarily, I say (though God may, when it pleaseth him, doe otherwise) but hee shall long (for the most part) bee vnder the doctrine, before hee shall resolue of his vprightnesse.
- 1The 12. note.
- 2Hard for an hypocrite to leave his trade.Hard for an hypocrite to leaue his trade.
- 3Acts 19.
