Confutation of their error, that hope to be-come honourable, Use. 1 and famous, and to leave a name behind them, by fleshly courses: some by getting much, and raising up their houses, and performing great exploits. But the unhappy success of their vain expectation, is noted in the Psalms, that though they think their houses and habitations shall continue from 1generation, to generation, and call the lands by their names, yet they shall not continue in honour, but perish like beasts that dye of the murrain. Who in all the world prevailed like to Nebuchadnezzar, in Nebuchadnezzar's time, and yet howsoever he was applauded and admired at the first, he was derided and exploded at the last, and made a proverb, and parable of reproach? Some by fine wit and policy, and dexterity in speaking But let Ahithophel, and Herod be examples to these, the one in counsel was wonderful deep, and his speeches were as oracles, and yet we repute him not to be a man of famous memory, but behold in him the very image and figure of infamy. The other for his eloquent oration, was deified of the people, and with a concordant acclamation extolled for a god; but yet as God laid a present stroke upon his body, and delivered his life into the power of base vermin, to gnaw out his bowels: so he laid a continual curse upon his name, which will cleave unto it for ever. Some others by hypocrisy, and pretence of mercy and pity: and yet with out all conscience or love of either. But praise so purchased, is subject to stains and loss of colour. The Pharisees had obtained the opinion of goodness; godliness, righteousness, and of all virtue. They were almost of all men, thought to be the most holy men: and can there now be a greater indignity offered to a man then to call him a Pharisee? for that name carrieth in it the perfect pattern of pride, hypocrisy, and palpable dissimulation.
Confutation of their errour, that hope to be-come honorable, Vse. 1 and famous, and to leaue a name behinde them, by fleshly courses: some by getting much, and raysing vp their houses, and performing great exploytes. But the vnhappie successe of their vaine expectation, is noted in the Psalmes, that though they thinck their houses and habitacions shall continue from 1generation, to generation, and call the lands by their names, yet they shall not continue in honour, but perish like beasts that dye of the murraine. Who in all the world preuailed like to Nabucadnezzar, in Nabucadnezzars time, and yet howsoeuer he was applauded and admired at the first, he was derided and exploded at the last, and made a prouerbe, and parable of reproach? Some by fine wit and policie, and dexteritie in speaking But let Achitophel, and Herod be examples to these, the one in counsell was wonderfull deepe, and his speeches were as oracles, and yet wee repute him not to be a man of famous memory, but behold in him the very image and figure of infamie. The other for his eloquent oration, was deified of the people, and with a concordant acclamation extolled for a god; but yet as God layd a present stroke vpon his bodie, and deliuered his life into the power of base vermin, to gnaw out his bowells: so he layd a continuall curse vpon his name, which will cleaue vnto it for euer. Some others by hipocrisie, and pretence of mercie and pittie: and yet with out all conscience or loue of either. But praise so purchased, is subiect to staines and losse of colour. The Pharisies had obteined the opinion of goodnesse; godlinesse, righteousnesse, and of all vertue. They were almost of all men, thought to be the most holy men: and can there now bee a greater indignitie offered to a man then to call him a Pharisee? for that name carrieth in it the perfect paterne of pride, hipocrisie, and palpable dissimulation.
- 1Psal. 49. 11. 12.
