Gods husbandry

There are cold hypocrites that are carried forward in the vessel of the time, and love not to overrun the common pace, in matters of religion (as your ordinary civill man, who yet is a very hypocrite, even in that which he doth attain unto) others be more forward and fervent, and carry then selves with a show of more life, in matters of religion: such was Paul before his calling, such ⟨p. 65⟩were the Pharisees in their times, such were Ananias and Sapphira. Now these latter sort of hypocrites do not alone (as the former) abound in works of mercy and justice,¹ but also in duties of religion and piety; they love preaching, and praying, and take delight in the company of men renowned for piety; they have a very green blade of being forward in Gods service, to the keeping of prayer in their families, and accustoming to repeat Sermons, and other like commendable acts of devotion. The thorny and stony ground you know, did yield some more than common shows of goodness. And the wicked Simon conversed with Philip: yea, the sinful Jews were as abundant in sacrifices and fat beasts, as their godly forefathers. Paul was zealous of the Law, and there were many very forward Preachers in Pauls time also, whom a man would have thought fervent, for the spreading abroad of the Gospel; yet they did it not sincerely. And did not the Pharisee keep his weekly fasts, and other like observations? yea, and did not Jehu also profess (speaking as he thought in his heart), that he was zealous for the Lord? Mark therefore the difference, which stands in two things. First, in the end,² then in the matter of their works of piety, they stand far asunder one from the other. For the hypocrite, he doth always serve himself either in vainglory, or in superstition, or in both. So the false teachers in Galatia, were zealous over the Galatians; but it was with an evil zeal (as Paul taxeth them), seeking to engross the people to themselves, and endeavouring ⟨p. 66⟩to exclude Paul, that they might wholly be admired. And did not the flaunting fellows at Corinth plainly preach themselves, as being covetous of applause, and followers? And so Diotrephes loved to be had in principal account in the Church; he desired to be reputed the only man, (which is the loving of first-hood,