Gods husbandry

But the difference is manifest and express.¹ The Hypocrites growing in the shows of goodness, causeth him also to grow in conceit of himself; he thinks better of himself, and much applaudeth his own proceedings: but the godly man groweth in a mean conceit of himself, and as he waxeth better and better, so doth more & more condemn himself, that he is not better then he is. He sees things to be better with him then they were; but alas, he sees them also to be so far short of what they should be, that he is even grieved with himself, to think of his wants and defects. The true godly man grows in humility, as in other graces; but the Hypocrite grows in conceitedness, and high esteem of himself. When a man prays, but is much moved with dislike of himself, because he prays no better; meditates, but blames himself, because his meditations are so shattered and distracted; is merciful, but is angry against himself, because he is not more merciful: this mans growth is a sound, perfect, and sincere growth; but when he performeth these duties so, that he is good in his own eyes, because of the performance of them; ⟨p. 164⟩this is but a shooting up of a blade, that after will wither and come to nothing. The fruitful branch, in his fruitfulness sees so many wants, that he is humbled thereby, the unfruitful branch is so satisfied with his shows of fruitfulness, that he still magnifieth himself, and despiseth others, being increased in pride, by the increase of those things that seem good in him. It is a most manifest thing in all true godly men, that when all men else do perceive them to grow, and commend them for it, they do most complain and condemn themselves for want of growth; for they are so still carried onward to that ye is before them, as they forget that that is behind: but the dissembler so looketh behind him, and forgetteth what is before, that he stands admiring himself for that which he hath already done, and thinks he is better then this man, and that man, and compareth and preferreth himself before others. Again, the godly man doth commend others that are better then himself, and beholds their goodness with great liking and approbation, being discontented with himself that he is outstripped by them:

But the difference is manifest and expresse.¹