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[ 1317] To beware of masked specious Sins.
IT is said of Alcibiades,* 1.1 That he embroydered a Curtain with Lyons and Eagles, the most stately of Beasts and birds, that he might the more closely hide the picture that was under, full of Owls and Satyrs, the most sadly re∣markable of other Creatures. Thus Satan embroyders the Curtain with the image of virtue, that he may easily hide the foul picture of Sin, that is under it;* 1.2 Sin, that in the eye of the World, is looked on as Grace; coloured and masqued over with Zeal for God, good intentions, &c. such as hath a fine glosse put upon it, that it may be the more vendible; Wherein the Devill like the Spider, first she weaves her Web, and then hangs the Fly in it; So he helps Men to weave the web of Sin with specious shews, and Religious pretences, and then he hangs them in the snare, and sets all their Sins in order before them.