And from this difference it cometh to pass, that the gross hypocrite is so seldom converted, as a man may well make a question, Whether any man, having any while continued in such palpable dissembling, were ever truly turned yea or no. But the close hypocrite many times becomes true hearted: many a man (being by education, or by casual falling into some good family, brought alone to a form of piety, and yet not wilfully setting himself to be guileful) is after some time truly sanctified, and becometh upright-hearted before the Lord.1 But a close hypocrite hardening himself against the Word often, will at the last become a gross hypocrite, loosing even these shadows of goodness, which at first he had, and wherewith he did for a time beguile his own soul. Judas (in all likelihood) was at first a close hypocrite, not thinking himself to dissemble, nor of purpose making a show to respect Christ for hope of future advantage by him (in his heart mean while making no more account of him, than of another man), but because he hardened himself in his sin of theft and covetousness, at length hypocrisy grew stronger in him, and he became as palpable a dissembler as ever was, when he durst betray his Master (that Son of man) with a kiss. For sin will easily grow from a smaller quantity to a greater, and from lesser degrees to more fullness and largeness. And this distinction of hypocrites into two kinds, ⟨p. 26⟩is of singular use in the examination of our selves, and serveth excellently to discover men unto themselves, which else would easily think too well of themselves. Many a man, because he knoweth himself to be none of those, that do wittingly play the hypocrites, therefore imagineth, that the name of hypocrite should not be given to him: but now the knowledge of this difference, must make us more wary over our own hearts, and stir us up to take heed, lest happily we be found in the latter kind, though not in the former: for the truth is, neither of them both can be saved, unless they reform themselves.
And from this difference it commeth to passe, that the grosse hypocrite is so seldome conuerted, as a man may well make a question, Whether any man, hauing any while continued in such palpable dissembling, were euer truly turned yea or no. But the close hypocrite many times becomes true hearted: many a man (being by education, or by casuall falling into some good family, brought alone to a forme of pietie, and yet not wilfully setting himselfe to be guilefull) is after some time truely sanctified, and becommeth vpright-hearted before the Lord.1 But a close hypocrite hardning himself against the Word often, will at the last become a grosse hypocrite, loosing euen these shadowes of goodnesse, which at first he had, and wherewith he did for a time beguile his owne soule. Iudas (in all likelihood) was at first a close hypocrite, not thinking himselfe to dissemble, nor of purpose making a shew to respect Christ for hope of future aduantage by him (in his heart meane while making no more account of him, than of another man), but because he hardned himselfe in his sinne of theft and couetousnesse, at length hypocrisie grew stronger in him, and hee became as palpable a dissembler as euer was, when hee durst betray his Master (that Sonne of man) with a kisse. For sinne will easily grow from a smaller quantity to a greater, and from lesser degrees to more fulnesse and largenesse. And this distinction of hypocrites into two kindes, ⟨p. 26⟩is of singular vse in the examination of our selues, and serueth excellently to discouer men vnto themselues, which else would easily thinke too well of themselues. Many a man, because he knoweth himselfe to be none of those, that do wittingly play the hypocrites, therefore imagineth, that the name of hypocrite should not be giuen to him: but now the knowledge of this difference, must make vs more wary ouer our owne hearts, and stirre vs vp to take heed, lest happily wee be found in the latter kinde, though not in the former: for the truth is, neither of them both can be saued, vnlesse they reforme themselues.
- 1A close hypocrite by the growth of his hypocrisy, may soon become a gross hypocrite.A close hypocrite by the growth of his hypocrisie, may soone become a grosse hypocrite.
