A discourse about the state of true happiness delivered in certain sermons in Oxford,…A discourse about the state of true happinesse deliuered in certaine sermons in Oxford,…

The second kind of hypocrisy is gross hypocrisy; by which a man professeth that which is not in his heart at all, and so deceives others, but not his own heart. And this is most properly hypocrisy: For the Greek word [Greek or Hebrew], signifieth a stage-player; who sometimes putteth on the robes and majesty of a Prince, himself being of a base and neglected state: Or the gravity and wisdom of a Counsellor, himself being of roguish & dissolute conditions: Sometimes he representeth a chaste and modest lover, his own life being a practise of uncleanness: Sometimes he assumeth a good and honest vocation, his own being accursed and unwarrantable. Even such is the gross hypocrite upon the stage of this world; a very painted sepulchre and whited wall, glorious indeed in outward fashions and solemnities, in shows and representations to the eye of the world; but if it were possible for a man to make an exact inquiry into the close and hidden passage of his heart, he should find many black and bloody projects, for compassing revenge even upon surmised opposites, many ambitious steps built upon flattery and dissembling baseness and bribery for his rising and preferments; many stinging swarms of fiery lusts and impure thoughts, which are either spent in speculative wantonness and the adulteries of the heart, or else for fear of the worlds notice, break out only into a strange and secret filthiness. In a word under the veil of his outward religiousness, he should see a perfect anatomy of the infinite and deceitful corruptions of the heart of man, and many plausible and politic conveyances to blear the eyes of the world, howsoever wretched man upon his own filly and forlorn soul he certainly draws an exceeding weight of vengeance. This kind of hypocrite is more miserable and of less hope then the open sinner.

The second kind of hypocrisie is grosse hypocrisie; by which a man professeth that which is not in his heart at all, and so deceiues others, but not his owne heart. And this is most properly hypocrisie: For the Greeke word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, signifieth a stage-plaier; who sometimes putteth on the roabes and maiestie of a Prince, himselfe being of a base and neglected state: Or the grauitie and wisdome of a Counseller, himself being of roguish & dissolute conditions: Sometimes he representeth a chast and modest louer, his owne life being a practise of vncleannesse: Sometimes he assumeth a good and honest vocation, his own being accursed and vnwarrantable. Euen such is the grosse hypocrite vpon the stage of this world; a very painted sepulchre and whited wall, glorious indeed in outward fashions and solennities, in shewes and representations to the eie of the world; but if it were possible for a man to make an exact inquirie into the close and hidden passage of his heart, he should find many black and bloodie proiects, for compassing reuenge euen vpon surmised opposites, many ambitious steps built vpon flatterie and dissembling basenesse and briberie for his rising and preferments; many stinging swarmes of fierie lusts and impure thoughts, which are either spent in speculatiue wantonnesse and the adulteries of the heart, or else for feare of the worlds notice, breake out onely into a strange and secret filthinesse. In a word vnder the vaile of his outward religiousnesse, hee should see a perfect anatome of the infinite and deceitfull corruptions of the heart of man, and many plausible and politicke conuiances to bleare the eies of the world, howsoeuer wretched man vpon his owne fillie and forlorne soule he certainely drawes an exceeding waight of vengeance. This kind of hypocrite is more miserable and of lesse hope then the open sinner.