A Key to the Key of Scripture, Chapter 2 · Exposition of verse 2
Verſe 2. But we know that the iudgement of God is according to truth, againſt them which commit ſuch things.
NOw the reſt of the chapter is ſpent in preuentions, and remouall of ſuch obiections, as theſe hypocrites might make in behalfe of themſelues: as verſe 2. whereas they might ſay, that the world could not detect them of any of theſe crimes, and they had the witnes of men to acquite them: the Apoſtle anſweres, that howſoeuer by their outward ſhewes they might blind the eyes of men, and eſcape their cenſure; yet Gods iudgement they could by no meanes eſcape; no vizard could couer their deformities from Gods eyes, neither could hee be mocked with ſhewes, who ſearcheth the hearts and tryeth the raynes, and iudgeth not after outward appearances but according to trueth, and inward vprightneſſe of heart before him.
For the meaning of the words; by Gods iudgement vnderſtand, firſt, his cenſure, and ſentence of mens guiltineſſe, or innocencie; ſecondly, his adiudging to puniſhment; truth alſo I take here to be oppoſed to counterfait ſhewes, and is nothing elſe but vprightneſſe, and ſinceritie of the heart, which Dauid cals truth in the inward parts, Pſal. 51.6.
Obſer. Now the note hence is this, that howſoeuer coulouring may preuaile with men, yet nothing but truth can ſteede vsus in Gods iudgementr…y 29.15.16. for he ſeeth not as man ſeeth, neither iudgeth he, as man iudgeth.
Vſe. And it ſhould teach vsus, to caſt away the cloakes of ſhame2 Cor. 4.2., and euer in Chriſt to walke in ſinceritie, and as in the ſight of Godt2 Cor. 2.17., but oh the glozing of theſe diſſembling times; what a world of hypocrites are we fallen into? ſuch ſtudying to ſeeme ſo, no care to be what we deſire to ſeeme.
Take but theſe notes of hypocriſie, and apply them, and then iudge whether the complaint be iuſt.
Firſt, an hypocrite is careleſſe to reforme his owne life, curious to ſift the liues of othersMat. 7.3.: an Iſraelite indeed, a true Nathaniel, ſo buſied in ſifting his owne deceitfull heart, that hee findes ſmall leaſure to looke out to others.
Secondly, an hypocrite hath eyes like the windowes of the templew1 Re…. 6.4. broad outward, narrow inward; other mens moates are beames in his eyes, his owne beames moatesxMat. 7.4., contrary with him in whoſe heart there is no guile; other mens ſinnes are apprehended as little, being further of, his owne being nearer, greateſt in his owne eyes. Paul ſtiles himſelfe the chiefe of ſinnersy1 Tim. 1.15., imputes the crucifying of Chriſt to the ignorance of the Iewesz1 Cor. 2.8.; ſo littleing a ſinne more grieuous.
Thirdly, an hypocrite is rigorous in cenſuring, and puniſhing others ſlips; ſtill ouer-milde in iudging himſelfeaIohn 8.5.7.: a true Chriſtian moſt ſharpe toward his owne, tender toward anothers infirmitie, Gal. 6.1.
Fourthly an hypocrite is ſcrupulous in the leaſt, remorſeleſſe of the greateſt ſinnes; ſtraines at a gnat,Mat. 23.24. and ſwallowes a Camel.
Fiftly, preciſe in the leſſer, regardleſſe of the waightier points of duetie.
Sixtly, ſtrict in vrging and obſeruing mans traditions, deſperately diſſolute about Gods commandements; holdes it the higheſt breach of dutie, to omit an humane ceremonie; tolerates, yea approues, yea countenanceth, yea legittimateth, wilfull rebellion againſt the law of GodbMat. 15.1.2.3.4.5.6.7. I paſſe from this point with that ſaying of an auncient Father. Hypocrite, is it good to ſeeme good? then ſure much better to be good: Is it euill to ſeeme euill? farre worſe to be euill; therefore hypocrite, eyther be as thou ſhoweſt, or elſe ſhew as thou art. And this remember, that how euer ſhewes may ſhadow thee from mens cenſure, it is truth onelyonly, that ſhall ſteede thee at Gods iudgement ſeate.