Gods husbandry

We seldom praise God, for showing himself just against Hypocrites. Indeed if in the practice of their malice against the Church, and the true members of it, they fall down wounded, as often it falls out, here our interest maketh us to be somewhat glad, and we can find in our hearts to thank God, for that which procured our own ease and safety: but if it fall otherwise, that the Lord execute his vengeance against those whom himself sees worthy to be hated, we not ⟨p. 23⟩having any part in the quarrel, we do not make such executions a part of the matter of our thanksgiving, as if we regarded Gods works nothing at all, further then some benefit redounds therefrom unto our selves, or as if we thought them worth nothing, further then they serve our own turns.

We seldome praise God, for shewing himselfe iust against Hypocrites. Indeed if in the practice of their malice against the Church, and the true members of it, they fall downe wounded, as often it falles out, here our interest maketh vs to be somewhat glad, and wee can finde in our hearts to thanke God, for that which procured our owne ease and safety: but if it fall otherwise, that the Lord execute his vengeance against those whom himselfe sees worthy to be hated, wee not ⟨p. 23⟩hauing any part in the quarrell, we doe not make such executions a part of the matter of our thankesgiuing, as if wee regarded Gods workes nothing at all, further then some benefit redounds therefrom vnto our selues, or as if wee thought them worth nothing, further then they serue our owne turnes.

But now let us learn, that it is a necessary duty for us to praise the Lord, for showing himself severe, as well as gentle, for exercising his rigour, as well as his grace, and for making known his hatred of sin, as well as his love of the righteous. Praise thou him, for that as he doth favourably accept the meanest endeavours of the true-hearted; so he will by no means be deceived, by the glorious ostentation of hypocrites: praise him, for that as he will not let a man, that in truth of charity doth give a cup of cold water, to lose his reward; so he will not respect him, that out of other respects, destitute of charity, shall give all his goods to the poor. Praise him, that as he doth accept and requite the poor widows mite, that came from soundness of devotion; so did he nothing heed nor affect the rich and pompous bounty of the wealthier persons, that served their Idol of vain-glory, in seeming to make their offerings unto him Praise him, for that as he highly prizeth the neglected and despised services of those that are sound in his precepts, so he doth count those things no better then abomination, that seem glorious in the eyes of men, when they are done for sinister ends.