The Sincere Convert

Now there are these three sorts of them.

1. The Formalist, who contents himself with some holiness, as much as will credit him.

1. The Formalist, who contents himselfe with some holinesse, as much as will credit him.

The form and name of Religion is §1honos, honour sometimes; but the ⟨p. 35⟩power and practice of it, is onus, a burden: hence men take up the first, and shake off the second. And indeed the greatest part take up this course, if they have no goodness, they should be the shame, scorn, and table-talk of the times; therefore every man will for his honours sake, have his form. Now this form is according to the mould wherein he is cast: if his acquaintance be but civill, he will be like them; if they be more exact, as to pray, read, confer, he will not stay one inch behind them. If to be better than his companions, to bear the bell before them will credit him, he will be so what ever it cost him; but yet he never will be so exact in his course as to be hated for it, unless he perceives the hatred he contracts from some men shall be recompensed with the more love and credit by other men. He disguiseth himself according to the places, or company he comes into. King Joash was a good man so long as Jehoiada the Priest lived. If a little Religion will ⟨p. 36⟩serve to credit men, that shall serve for that time, if more in another place, you shall then have them commending good men, good sermons, good books, and drop forth 2. or 3. good sentences; what will they think of him then? They cover themselves over with these Fig-leaves of common honesty to cover their nakedness; they bait all their courses over with honesty, that they may catch, for they fish only for credit.