Gods husbandry

For in truth, of all sins in the world, nothing doth bring a greater extremity of deadness, and senselessness upon the soul, then this abominable hollowness, when it prevaileth in this degree, that now I am entreating of. Such hypocrites as these were Absalom and Ahithophel. Did not Absalom know, that he regarded not the religion of a vow? Did not Ahithophel know, that he made nothing of Gods house and the sacrifices: but (even as a stale) the better to attain the favour of David, and his own advancement? Doubtless they were well enough seen in their own purposes and projects, and could not but confess at the bar of their own conscience (but that they would not consider of it), that in very truth they did but serve themselves (and not God) in all their seeming religiousness. Such hypocrites also were the greater number of the Pharisees, which made our Saviour ⟨p. 22⟩Christ, so tart and earnest against them at all times; for well did he see, that they did all their good works to be seen of men; and that their forms of piety and godliness were mere paintings, and that they regarded nothing, but to make themselves great in the earth, and even under colour of long praying, sought only to devour widows houses.¹ Such also were those Preachers, of whom the Apostle affirmeth, that they did teach Christ not purely, but of contention, as it were to put down Paul, and to win the Garland from him, and so to add affliction to his bands. And these be gross hypocrites.

For in truth, of all sinnes in the world, nothing doth bring a greater extremitie of deadnesse, and senselesnesse vpon the soule, then this abominable hollownesse, when it preuaileth in this degree, that now I am intreating of. Such hypocrites as these were Absolon and Achitophel. Did not Absolon know, that hee regarded not the religion of a vow? Did not Achitophel know, that he made nothing of Gods house and the sacrifices: but (euen as a staule) the better to attaine the fauour of Douid, and his owne aduancement? Doubtlesse they were well enough seene in their owne purposes and proiects, and could not but confesse at the barre of their owne conscience (but that they would not consider of it), that in very truth they did but serue themselues (and not God) in all their seeming religiousnesse. Such hypocrytes also were the greater number of the Pharisies, which made our Sauiour ⟨p. 22⟩