Gods husbandry

CHAP. VI. How the hypocrite agrees with the true Christian in knowledge, and withal also how they differ.

CHAP. VI. How the hypocrite agrees with the true Christian in knowledge, and withall also how they differ.

There are four chief graces; and (as I may call them) Cardinal virtues, which the holy Ghost doth work in the hearts of all the true members of Christ: these are ⟨p. 34⟩Knowledge, Faith, Repentance, good Conversation, or obedience. In each of these, the hypocrite doth somewhat resemble the true Christian, and yet in each the dissimilitude is as true & evident, as is betwixt gilded copper and pure gold.¹ Let us see the similitude and dissimilitude in Knowledge: Now it cannot be denied, but that the false-hearted man may conceive as many divine truths in his mind, as the truest Christian that is; yea, many times it falls out, that the knowledge of the hypocrite doth in quantity much exceed that of the true Christian. Who can doubt, but that the Pharisees were better seen in the Law, and in all points of Divinity, than the poor blind man? yet he was true; they hypocrites. An hypocrite may have a better wit, a better memory, a quicker conceit than the upright: he may have better education, more means, more teaching than the upright; & consequently may much excel him in knowledge. Nay, no doubt, but that a very dissembler may be so abundant in the knowledge of the Word of God, that he may be able to discourse and talk admirably, of any truth in Divinity: yea, to make a most excellent prayer, with exceeding good words, and exceeding good matter; and also to preach the Word most plausibly, and most fruitfully, so as to gain to himself the name and estimation of a worthy and a godly preacher too. Who can make any doubt, but that Judas did preach, and preach very worthily? and is it not manifest, that there shall be some, who will plead prophesying, and casting out devils in the name of Christ? who must yet be rejected with ⟨p. 35⟩