Hypocricy The Cry Of An Hypoc
Hypocrisy – THE CRY OF A HYPOCRIT “HYPOCRITE’S SOLIOQUY” by FRANCIS QUARLES
“Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.”
- Psalm 12:2
There is no such stuff to make a cloak of as religion; nothing so fashionable, nothing so profitable: it is livery wherein a wise man may serve two masters, God and the world, and make a gainful service of either. I serve both, and in both myself, by prevaricating with both. Before man none serves his God with more severe devotion: for which, among the best of men, I work my own ends, and serve myself. In private, I serve the world; not with so strict devotion, but with more delight; where fulfilling of her servant’s lusts, I work my end and serve myself.
The house of prayer who more frequents than I? I fast with those who fast, that I may eat with those who eat. I mourn with those that mourn. NO hand more open to the cause than mine, and in their families none prays longer and with louder zeal. Thus when the opinion of a holy life hath cried the goodness of my conscience up, my trade can lack no custom, my wares can want no price, my words can need no credit, my actions can lack no praise.
If I am covetous it is interpreted providence; if miserable, it is counted temperance; if melancholy, it is construed godly sorrow; it merry, it is voted spiritual joy; if I be rich, it is thought the blessing of a godly life; if poor, supposed the fruit of conscionable dealing; if I be well spoken of, it is the merit of holy conversation; if ill, it is the malice of malignants.
Thus I sail with every wind, and have my end in all conditions. This cloak in summer keeps me cool, in winter warm, and hids the nasty bag of all my secret lusts. Under this cloak I walk in public fairly with applause, and in private sin securely without offence, and officiate wisely without discovery. I compass sea and land to make a proselyte; and no sooner made, but he makes me. At a fast I cry Geneva, and at a feast I cry Rome. If I be poor, I counterfeit abundance to save my credit; if rich, I dissemble poverty to save charges. I most frequent schismatical lectures, which I find most profitable; from thence learning to divulge and maintain new doctrines; they maintain me in suppers thrice a week. I use the help of a lie sometimes, as a new stratagem to uphold the gospel; and I colour oppression with God’s judgements executed upon the wicked. Charity I hold an extraordinary duty, therefore not ordinarily to be performed. What I openly reprove abroad, for my own profit, that I secretly act at home, for my own pleasure. But stay, I see a handwriting in my heart which damps my soul. It is charactered in these said words, ‘Woe to you, hypocrites’, Matthew 23:13.”
-Francis Quarles
A warning to all you hypocrites out there, to which we know, none of you are. For you have told us so. -Sound Doctrine BBS
“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life…I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.”
-Psalm 26
“…With such a man do not even eat.”
-1 Corinthians 5:11
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