Gods husbandry

A third note of difference is this,¹ the hypocrite is (as Saint James speaks) variable in all his ways, wavering off & on, differing according to the difference of time, place, company, and the like, if he be put to it. So in persecution he falls off: when wealth and honour comes in, to draw him another way, he is gone; he is not still suitable to himself. When piece is favoured, he is for it; at other times, when it is out of countenance, he is at best a neuter, perhaps against it. In places where goodness is in good request, he is good; elsewhere he alters himself, and gives himself leave to cease being good; and for company, he is most times as the company; and in truth is a man so apt to turn, that (unless he chance to be of a sour, or a testy nature) he is for all companies. He is not the same privately, that publicly; betwixt God and himself, that before others; at home and abroad; neither indeed striveth to be. But the true Christian, he is fixed and constant, always the same, rooted, grounded, established, and doth not give himself over to changes and alteration. I eonfesse, he also findeth it much harder to be good in some times, than in some; and in some places and companies, than in others. The devil fails not to take the advantages of time, place, company, and to press more hard upon him to do evil, when he hath these opportunities standing favourably-for evil-doing; and likewise to pull him backward (with more violence of tempting) from God, when these things stand cross to goodness; yea, his corrupt ⟨p. 31⟩nature is capable enough of the helps to evil, and hindrances from good, which change of place and company do bring with them. Yea, sometimes alterations in these things, may even adaunt him for a while, and according as they find him weaker, make him now and then start back from some good deed, or rush forward into some evil: but still he would not alter, he is ashamed that he finds himself somewhat altered, and he returneth in conclusion to be the same, notwithstanding the variation of these circumstances. A Compass Needle well touched with the Adamant, will always be turning Northward;

A third note of difference is this,¹ the hypocrite is (as Saint Iames speakes) variable in all his wayes, wauering off & on, differing according to the difference of time, place, company, and the like, if hee be put to it. So in persecution hee falls off: when wealth and honour comes in, to draw him another way, he is gone; he is not still sutable to himselfe. When piece is fauoured, hee is for it; at other times, when it is out of countenance, he is at best a newter, perhaps against it. In places where goodnesse is in good request, he is good; elsewhere hee alters himselfe, and giues himselfe leaue to cease being good; and for company, he is most times as the company; and in truth is a man so apt to turne, that (vnlesse he chance to be of a sowre, or a testie nature) he is for all companies. He is not the same prinately, that publiquely; betwixt God and himselfe, that before others; at home and abroad; neyther indeed striueth to be. But the true Christian, he is fixed and constant, alwayes the same, rooted, grounded, established, and doth not giue himselfe ouer to changes and alteration. I eonfesse, he also findeth it much harder to be good in some times, than in some; and in some places and companies, than in others. The diuell failes not to take the aduantages of time, place, company, and to presse more hard vpon him to doe euill, when hee hath these opportunities standing fauourably-for euill-doing; and likewise to pull him backeward (with more violence of tempting) from God, when these things stand crosse to goodnesse; yea, his corrupt