Gods husbandry

I have contented my self with lip-praying, and ear-hearing, and not been abased in my self for want of fervent praying, and powerful hearing. I have been censorious against those that have not been as strict as my self, in matters of ceremony; and could scarce abide them, that could abide those petty things, which I have disliked; and yet I never lamented, but rather applauded ⟨p. 91⟩my self in this bitterness: and I my self have been very careless of greater things, when profit pleaded for them, that have seemed so very strict in forms and shadows, and external rites: and yet I pleased my self well enough in this largeness of conscience. O Lord, thy Word hath found me out, thy Word hath discovered unto me the secrets of mine heart: it hath judged me, it hath condemned me, I desire to give glory to thee, and no longer to hide my sins, this sin, this upholder of all sins, this damnable hypocrisy. I see it hath ruled in me, and I (for want of care) have never yet perceived it: but now I perceive it, and now I confess it, O Lord, to thee that knowest it already, to thee from whom it cannot be hidden. I humbly acknowledge, I have all this while been but an hypocrite.

I haue contented my selfe with lippe-praying, and eare-hearing, and not beene abased in my selfe for want of feruent praying, and powerfull hearing. I haue beene censorious against those that haue not beene as strict as my selfe, in matters of ceremony; and could scarce abide them, that could abide those petty things, which I haue disliked; and yet I neuer lamented, but rather applauded ⟨p. 91⟩my selfe in this bitternesse: and I my selfe haue beene very carelesse of greater things, when profit pleaded for them, that haue seemed so very strict in formes and shaddowes, and externall rites: and yet I pleased my selfe well enough in this largenesse of conscience. O Lord, thy Word hath found me out, thy Word hath discouered vnto mee the secrets of mine heart: it hath iudged me, it hath condemned me, I desire to giue glory to thee, and no longer to hide my sinnes, this sinne, this vpholder of all sinnes, this damnable hypocrisie. I see it hath ruled in me, and I (for want of care) haue neuer yet perceiued it: but now I perceiue it, and now I confesse it, O Lord, to thee that knowest it already, to thee from whom it cannot be hidden. I humbly acknowledge, I haue all this while beene but an hypocrite.