a conscience of nothing they do, they have
cauterised consciences, and are indeed in a reprobate sense, "past all
feeling, have given themselves over to wantonness, to work all manner of
uncleanness even with greediness," Ephes. iv. 19. They do know there is a
God, a day of judgment to come, and yet for all that, as Hugo saith, _ita
comedunt ac dormiunt, ac si diem judicii evasissent; ita ludunt ac rident,
ac si in coelis cum Deo regnarent_: they are as merry for all the sorrow,
as if they had escaped all dangers, and were in heaven already:

[6674] ------"Metus omnes, et inexorabile fatum
Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari."

Those rude idiots and ignorant persons, that neglect and contemn the means
of their salvation, may march on with these; but above all others, those
Herodian temporizing statesmen, political Machiavellians and hypocrites,
that make a show of religion, but in their hearts laugh at it. _Simulata
sanctitas duplex iniquitas_; they are in a double fault, "that fashion
themselves to this world," which [6675]Paul forbids, and like Mercury, the
planet, are good with good, bad with bad. When they are at Rome, they do
there as they see done, puritans with puritans, papists with papists;
_omnium horarum homines_, formalists, ambidexters, lukewarm Laodiceans.
[6676]All their study is to please, and their god is their commodity, their
labour to satisfy their lusts, and their endeavours to their own ends.
Whatsoever they pretend, or in public seem to do, [6677]"With the fool in
their hearts, they say there is no God." _Heus tu--de Jove quid sentis_?
"Hulloa! what is your opinion about a Jupiter?" Their words are as soft as
oil, but bitterness is in their hearts; like [6678]Alexander VI. so cunning
dissemblers, that what they think they never speak. Many of them are so
close, you can hardly discern it, or take any just exceptions at them; they
are not factious, oppressors as most are, no bribers, no simoniacal
contractors, no such ambitious, lascivious persons as some others are, no
drunkards, _sobrii solem vident orientem, sobrii vident occidentem_, they
rise sober, and go sober to bed, plain dealing, upright, honest men, they
do wrong to no man, and are so reputed in the world's esteem at least, very
zealous in religion, very charitable, meek, humble, peace-makers, keep all
duties, very devout, honest, well spoken of, beloved of all men: but he
that knows better how to judge, he that exami