A68877:48
Gods husbandry
Gods husbandry: the first part. Tending to show the difference betwixt the hypocrite and the true-hearted Christian. As it was delivered in certain sermons, and is now published by William Whately, preacher of the Word of God in Banbury in OxfordshireGods husbandry: the first part. Tending to shew the difference betwixt the hypocrite and the true-hearted Christian. As it was deliuered in certaine sermons, and is now published by William Whately, preacher of the Word of God in Banbury in Oxfordsheire
London: printed by Bernard Alsop and Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1622
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly,1 an hypocrite is always confident of himself, & of his own power, not to be overtaken, at least, of such & such great sins, which (perhaps) he never yet hath committed; yea, he thinks always, and often brags, that all the world should not draw him to do such abominations: and from this presuming of himself it comes, that he is so bitter and pitiless, in speaking against others that have offended; and also, that he is of himself so exceeding ⟨p. 29⟩venturous, and so ready to rush upon occasions of evil, for that he misdoubteth not himself, but imagineth that he shall certainly do well for all that. And in the main matter, he is most of all confident, likely never so much as suspecting (because he will not suspect) himself to be an hypocrite (unless it be in some heavy cross or tentation) but still sleepeth quietly in a secure opinion of his own uprightness, and being sure GODS child. So was Paul once alive without the Law: so the Jews with whom Christ talketh, boldly did affirm, even (say Christ what he could to the contrary) that they had God for their Father,2 though he assured them, they were of their father the devil; and therefore we may be sure, they were at best but hypocrites. But now,3 the true Christian is jealous of himself, lest he also should be tempted, and out of this doubting of his own strength, withdraws himself from the occasions of evil, lest that (afore he were aware) be should be overcome by them; yea, he is somewhat fearful oftentimes of his own estate, whether he be a true Christian yea or no; meeting with so much falsehood, and so many fruits of guile, that often he stands amazed at himself, and is fain to call the matter into question with himself, and to discuss it much and hard, afore he can settle his mind in that assured persuasion of himself, that he is upright. Thus the one (not fearing himself) takes all for granted, that he thinks true of himself, without proving; the other (out of much fear) is much in proving himself, and will not believe ⟨p. 30⟩any thing, without proof.