1Only before I pass further, it is worthy the noting that he says of these two first sins, that all Malice, and all Guile, must be laid aside: which imports; that, howsoever some other infirmities be in the Godly, yet they should be found far from all Malice and Guile; not a jot of either of them should be found in them: Malice must be in them in no kind, nor in no measure; neither secret nor open Malice, neither grudge nor desire of revenge, neither at home nor abroad, neither in civill things, nor in matters of Religion, neither in any of the aggravations, nor in the least drop of it: And the like may be said of Guile. It were a shameful thing, that any kind of Guile should be found in a Christian, in any of his dealings, at any time, with any sort of men, or in any measure. For, if but a drop of Malice, or Guile, be left in us, It may break out again, and our hearts prove like a festered sore. Malice is like leaven, a little of it will sour the whole lump. It is like Poison, a drop may spoil us. It is like a coal of fire within, it wants nothing but the Devil to blow it, and •hen into what a flame may it kindle? And therefore we should all look to our hearts, to see that we be free from Malice; ⟨p. 23⟩and look to our ways, that we be guilty of no kind of Guile: Such as are reconciled, should note this point to see to it, that they keep not the least drop of the poysonfull grudge in their hearts. It is not enough that they say daily, they will forgive, or can receive the Sacrament. For, if they cannot respect them with a free heart, without reservation, they are still infected with the disease of Malice.
1Only before I passe further, it is worthy the noting that he saies of these two first sinnes, that all Malice, and all Guile, must be laid aside: which imports; that, howsoeuer some other infirmities be in the Godly, yet they should be found farre from all Malice and Guile; not a iot of either of them should be found in them: Malice must be in them in no kinde, nor in no measure; neither secret nor open Malice, neither grudge nor desire of reuenge, neither at home nor abroad, neither in ciuill things, nor in matters of Religion, neither in any of the aggrauations, nor in the least drop of it: And the like may be said of Guile. It were a shamefull thing, that any kinde of Guile should be found in a Christian, in any of his dealings, at any time, with any sort of men, or in any measure. For, if but a drop of Malice, or Guile, be left in vs, It may breake out againe, and our hearts proue like a festered sore. Malice is like leauen, a little of it will sowre the whole lumpe. It is like Poyson, a drop may spoyle vs. It is like a coale of fire within, it wants nothing but the Diuell to blow it, and •hen into what a flame may it kindle? And therefore wee should all looke to our hearts, to see that we be free from Malice; ⟨p. 23⟩and looke to our waies, that we be guiltie of no kinde of Guile: Such as are reconciled, should note this point to see to it, that they keepe not the least drop of the poysonfull grudge in their hearts. It is not enough that they say daily, they will forgiue, or can receiue the Sacrament. For, if they cannot respect them with a free heart, without reseruation, they are still infected with the disease of Malice.
- 1Note, that he says all malice and all Guile.Note, that he saies all malice and all Guile.
