from Thomas Reade's, "On Love"
Formality and hypocrisy are two
powerful
and successful agents of Satan. The enemy
of souls is not very anxious whether men
travel to hell by the road of profaneness or
false profession. The latter, being more
creditable, is generally the most frequented.
Gross vice startles the conscience; while the
garment of 'decency' thrown over
the general
conduct, quiets the mind, and makes the
deluded sinner more easy in his sins.
"Blessed Lord, save me from the delusions of
Satan, and the deceitfulness of my own heart.
Let me know myself. Guard me against self
deception, self love, and vain glory. Make me
humble, simple, and sincere."