And yet sometimes also the hypocrite will seem to make a proffer of pulling his neck out of Satan's yoke,1 by promising to leave, and beginning (for a spurt) to make as if he would leave his most ⟨p. 57⟩beloved sin.2 So Simon Magus for a little while began to desist from following his sorceries: and Pharaoh said once or twice, that he would let the people go: and twice Saul promised David fair, that he would surcease to trouble him any further. But this mood holdeth not long, he quickly returneth to his old wallow, and laps up (like an unclean cur) his filthy vomit, which he had formerly disgorged. I do not mean, that he is overtaken only to do the same fault again, once or twice, or oftener (for that may befall the true Christian also), but he proceeds to allow himself in doing of it, to go on in it, and follow it with greediness; excusing it, or hardening himself in it, at least coming to this pass, that he cannot leave it, that it is not possible; and therefore it is in vain for him to strive about an impossible matter, and so he returneth to make a trade of his sin, for all his good promises and offers of reformation; as we see in Simon, in Pharaoh, in Saul, and in others. But the true hearted having once set in, to cast off his beloved sin, doth never again return to allow it, and to wallow in it. He may fall again, perhaps more then once or twice (and these relapses are very dangerous, and very troublesome): but he will never step back to a resolution of continuing so to sin, and of thinking that he cannot choose, and there is no remedy; but still he ariseth out of the mire, reneweth his confession, reneweth his purpose of amendment, sets in afresh to bewail his faults, and brings himself again to a firm purpose of sinning no more, and in that purpose holds ⟨p. 58⟩himself so long, till at length (it may be after many foils) he attaineth strength to offend no more grossly in that matter, whatsoever it may be. Thus his faith becomes his victory, and so he prevaileth against sin, and keepeth himself, that the wicked one doth not touch him, and that he committeth none iniquity. And so much of this third point, concerning the agreement of the repentance of the hypocrite and the true hearted, as also their differences. It remaineth to speak in the like manner of their likeness and unlikeness, in the matter of good life.
And yet sometimes also the hypocrite will seeme to make a proffer of pulling his necke out of Satans yoke,1 by promising to leaue, and beginning (for a spirt) to make as if he would leaue his most ⟨p. 57⟩beloued sinne.2 So Simon Magus for a little while began to desist from following his sorceries: and Pharaoh said once or twice, that he would let the people goe: and twice Saul promised Dauid faire, that he would surcease to trouble him any further. But this mood holdeth not long, he quickly returneth to his old wallow, and laps vp (like an vncleane curre) his filthy vomit, which hee had formerly disgorged. I do not meane, that he is ouertaken only to do the same fault againe, once or twice, or oftner (for that may befall the true Christian also), but he proceedes to allow himselfe in doing of it, to goe on in it, and follow it with greedinesse; excusing it, or hardning himselfe in it, at least comming to this passe, that hee cannot leaue it, that it is not possible; and therefore it is in vaine for him to striue about an impossible matter, and so hee returneth to make a trade of his sin, for all his good promises and offers of reformation; as wee see in Simon, in Pharaoh, in Saul, and in others. But the true hearted hauing once set in, to cast off his beloued sinne, doth neuer againe returne to allow it, and to wallow in it. He may fall againe, perhaps more then once or twice (and these relapses are very dangerous, and very troublesome): but he wil neuer step backe to a resolution of continuing so to sinne, and of thinking that he cannot chuse, and there is no remedie; but still hee ariseth out of the mire, reneweth his confession, reneweth his purpose of amendment, sets in afresh to bewaile his faults, and brings himselfe againe to a firme purpose of sinning no more, and in that purpose holds ⟨p. 58⟩himselfe so long, till at length (it may be after many foiles) he attaineth strength to offend no more grossely in that matter, whatsoeuer it may be. Thus his faith becomes his victorie, and so he preuaileth against sinne, and keepeth himselfe, that the wicked one doth not touch him, and that he committeth none iniquitie. And so much of this third point, concerning the agreement of the repentance of the hypocrite and the true hearted, as also their differences. It remaineth to speake in the like manner of their likenesse and vnlikenesse, in the matter of good life.
- 1The hypocrite for a little will make an offer to amend his best beloved sin.The hypocrite for a little will make an offer to amend his best beloued sinne.
- 2but quickly return to follow it with greediness; the Christian never returns again to an allowed practice of it.but quickly returne to follow it with greedines; the Christian neuer returnes againe to an allowed practice of it.
