A Cabinet of Choice Jewels, Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
Several have obſerved to my hand,'Tis better that a hundred hypocrites ſhould periſh, than that one poor Chriſtian ſhould want his portion. Cotton on the Covenant, page 78. how far an Hypocrite may go; but my deſign in this Chapter, is to ſhew how far an Hypocrite cannot go. Many have diſcovered at large, what an Hypocrite can do; but my ſcope in this Chapter, is to ſhew what an Hypocrite cannot do. Some have ſhewed what an Hypocrite is, and I ſhall now ſhew what he is not. Some have ſhewed the ſeveral rounds in Jacob's Ladder, that an Hypocrite may climb up to; but my buſineſs and work in this Chapter, is to ſhew you the ſeveral rounds in Jacob's Ladder, that no Hypocrite under heaven can climb up to.
FIrſt, An Hypocrites inſide is never anſwerable to his outſide; an Hypocrites inſide is one thing,Mat. 23.25, 26, 27 Luke 11.39. and his outſide another thing; an Hypocrite is outwardly clean, but inwardly unclean; he is outwardly glorious, but inwardly inglorious. Hypocrites are like Apothecaries gally pots, having without the title of ſome excellent Preſervative, but within they are full of ſome deadly poyſon; they are like the Egyptian Temples, that were beautifull without, but within there was nothing to be found but Serpents and Crocodiles, and other venemous creatures. Hypocrites trade more for a good name, than for a good heart; for a good report, than for a good conſcience; they are like Fidlers, more careful in tuning their Inſtruments, than in watching their ſpirits.Eraſmi …milia. Hypocrites are like white ſilver, but they draw black lines; they have a ſeeming ſanctified outſide, but ſtuff'd within with malice, worldlineſs, pride, envy, &c. Like window cuſhions, made up of velvet and richly embroydered, but ſtuff'd within with hay. An Hypocrite may offer ſacrifice with Cain, and faſt with Jezabel; and humble himſelf with Ahab, and lament with the tears of Eſau; and kiſs Chriſt with Judas, and follow Chriſt with Demas; and offer fair for the holy Ghoſt with Simon Magus, Acts 8.23.and yet for all this his inſide as bad as any of theirs. An Hypocrite is a Cato without, and a Nero within; a Jacob without, and an Eſau within; a David without, and a Saul within; a Peter without, and a Judas within; a Saint without, and a Satan within; an Angel without, and a Devil within.Rom. 2.28, 29. An Hypocrit is a Jew outwardly, but an Atheiſt, a Pagan,Lucian. a Turk inwardly. I have read of certain Images, which on the outſide were covered with gold and pearl, reſembling Jupiter and Neptune, but within were nothing but ſpiders and cobwebs; a fit reſemblance of Hypocrites. Hypocriſie is but an outſide, like cloth of Arras, fair and beautiful without; but if you look to the inſide, you ſhall find nothing but rags and ends. That Monk hit it, that ſaid, To be a Monk in outward ſhew was eaſie, but to be a Monk in inward reality was hard. To be a Chriſtian in outward ſhew is eaſie, but to be a Chriſtian inwardly and really is very hard. An Hypocrites inſide never ecco's or anſwers to his outſide; his inſide is vicious, and his outſide is Religious: But let all ſuch hypocrites know, that diſſembled ſanctity is double iniquity, and accordingly at laſt they ſhall be dealt with, Mat. 24.5. But,
Secondly, No hypocrite under heaven is totally divorced from the love and liking of every known ſin, there is ſtill ſome ſecret luſt or other,Job 20.12, 13, 14 which as a ſweet morſel he rowls under his tongue, and will not ſpit it out; every Hypocrite tollerates ſome evil or other in himſelf, and takes liberty to tranſgreſs. An Hypocrite will make hard ſhift to daub up his conſcience, and to ſecure himſelf from the checks thereof. After once the bag was committed to Judas his cuſtody, after once he was choſen into that ſweet office, he quickly put conſcience out of office,It was a ſtrange conceit of the Cerinthians and thoſe Caini or Cainiani as they are called by ſome that honoured Judas the Traitor, as ſome divine and ſuperhumane power, and called his treaſon a bleſſed piece of ſervice, & that he knowing how much the death of Chriſt would profit mankind, did therefore betray him to death to ſave the race of men, and to do a thing pleaſing to God. Irenaeus, Aug. de haereſi. and never left ſtealing and licking his fingers, whilſt there was any money in his bag to finger. Herod knew much, and heard John Baptiſt, and had ſome temporary affections, and did many good things, Mark 6.20. But yet, 1. He kept Herodias his brother's wife, Mark 6.17. 2. He took away the life of John the Baptiſt, Mark 6.27. 3. He ſets Jeſus Chriſt at naught, and rejected him, Luke 23.11. As fair as Herod ſeemed to carry it, yet he lived in a known notorious ſin, and unjuſtly murdered the meſſenger of God, and mocked and rejected Jeſus Chriſt as a vile perſon. Some ſin or other alwayes reigns without controul, in an hypocritical heart. As they ſay of Witches, that they have one familiar or another that ſtill ſucks them. An Hypocrite alwayes reſerves one neſt-egg or another in his heart or life, for Satan to ſit and brood on. Jehu did many brave things, but yet he kept up the worſhip of his golden calves. Naaman promiſes high, but yet he is for bowing in the houſe of Rimmon. The Phariſees were very devout, but yet they loved the praiſes of men, and the uppermoſt ſeats in the Synagogues. There is never an hypocrite in the world, but will do what he can to ſave the life of his ſin, though it be with the loſs of his ſoul. O Sirs! Satan can be contented that Hypocrites ſhould yield to God in many things, provided they will be but true to him in ſome one thing; for he very well knows, that one ſin lived in, and allowed, gives him as much advantage againſt the ſoul, as more. Satan can hold a man faſt enough by one ſin, as the Fowler can hold the bird faſt enough by one claw; Satan knows, that one ſin lived in and allowed, will marr all a mans ſweeteſt duties and ſervices; as one dead fly will marr the whole box of precious ointment, and as one jarring ſtring will bring the ſweeteſt muſick out of tune. 'Tis ſaid of Naaman the Syrian, Eccl. 10.1.that he was a valiant man, and a victorious man, and an honourable man,2 King. 5.1. and a great favourite with his Prince, but a Leper: So it may be ſaid of many Hypocrites, they have ſuch and ſuch excellencies, and they perform ſuch and ſuch glorious duties, but they live and allow themſelves in this or that ſin,Mat. 7.21, 22, 23. and that marrs the beauty of all their ſervices. Satan knows, that one ſin lived in and allowed, will as certainly damn a man, as many; as one diſeaſe, one ulcerous part, may as certainly kill a man, as many. Satan knows, that one ſin lived in and allowed,Lev. 31. will render a man as unclean in the eye of God as many. If the Leper in the Law had the ſpot of leproſie in any one part of his body, he was accounted a Leper, although all the reſt of his body were ſound and whole: So he who hath the ſpot of the leproſie of ſin allowed in any one part of his ſoul, he is a ſpiritual Leper in the eye of God, he is unclean, though in other parts he may not be unclean. The Schoolmen ſay, that if a ſow do but wallow in one miry or dirty hole, ſhe is filthy; and certainly, that ſoul that doth but wallow in any one ſin, he is filthy in the eye of God. Satan knows,Heb. 13.4. It is moſt true that the Heathen man ſaith, Qui habet unium vitium shabet omnia; he that hath any one vice (viz. reigning) hath all others with it. Seneca de benef. l. 5. c. 15. that one ſin lived in and allowed, will as effectually keep Chriſt and the ſoul aſunder, as many; as one ſtone in the pipe will as effectually keep out the water, as many. Satan knows, that one ſin lived in and allowed, will make way for many; as one thief can open the door to let in many more. Satan knows, that one ſin lived in and allowed, will as certainly ſhut the ſoul out of heaven, as many; one enemy may ſhut the door upon a man as well as many: and what difference is there between that man that is ſhut out of heaven for living in many ſins, and he that is ſhut out of heaven for l…ving but in one ſin? One ſin lived in and allowed, will arm conſcience againſt a man, as well as many: If there be but one crack in the honey glaſs, there the waſp will be buzzing. One ſin allowed and countenanced, will ſpoyl the muſick of conſcience; one ſin lived in and allowed, will make death as terrible and as formidable to the ſoul, as many; one hand-writing upon the wall made King Nebuchadnezzar's countenance to change,Dan. 5.5, 6. and his thoughts to be troubled, and the joynts of his loyns to be looſed, and his knees to be daſhed one againſt another. Now all this Satan knows, and therefore he labours mightily to engage Hypocrites to live in the allowance of ſome one ſin. O Sirs! remember that as one hole in a Ship will ſink it, and as one ſtab at the heart will kill a man, and as one glaſs of poyſon will poyſon a man, and as one act of Treaſon will make a man a Traitor; ſo one ſin lived in and allowed, will damn a man for ever; one wound ſtrikes Goliah dead, as well as three and twenty did Caeſar; one Dalilah will do Sampſon as much miſchief,Suetonius. as all the Philiſtines; one wheel broken, ſpoyls all the whole clock; one vein's bleeding will let out all the vitals, as well as more; one bitter herb will ſpoyl all the pottage;Gen. 3. 1 Sam. 14.33. Joſh. 7. Jonah 1. by eating one apple, Adam loſt Paradiſe; one lick of honey endangered Jonathan's life; one Achan was a trouble to all Iſrael; one Jonah was lading too heavy for a whole Ship: So one ſin lived in and allowed, is enough to make a man miſerable for ever. One milſtone will ſink a man to the bottom of the Sea as well as a hundred; ſo one ſin lived in and indulged, will ſink a man to the bottom of hell as well as a hundred. I have read of a great Roman Captain, who as he was riding in his triumphant Chariot through Rome, had his eyes never off of a Curtizan that walkt along the ſtreet, which made one ſay, Behold ho… this great Captain that hath conquered ſuch and ſuch Armies, is himſelf conquered by one ſilly woman! There is never an Hypocrite in the world, but lyes under the conqueſt of one baſe luſt or another, but lives under the reign and dominion of one ſin or another. That ſoul that can in ſincerity of heart appeal to a heart-ſearching God, that 'tis otherwiſe with him (viz. That he does not live nor allow himſelf in any one ſinful way or practiſe) that ſoul, I dare aſſure in the Lord's name, is no hypocrite, Pſal. 139, 23, 24.
Thirdly, As an Hypocrites heart is never throughly ſubdued to a willingneſs to part with every luſt, ſo neither is his heart throughly ſubdued to a willingneſs to perform all known duties; ſometimes he is all for publick duties, but makes no conſcience of cloſet-duties, or of family-duties; ſometimes he is all for the duties of the firſt Table, but makes no conſcience of the duties of the ſecond Table; and ſometimes he is all for the duties of the ſecond Table, but makes no conſcience of the duties of the firſt Table; if he obeyes one command, he willingly lives in the neglect of another; if he does one duty, he will be ſure to caſt off another; as he is not willing to fall out with every ſin, ſo he is not willing to fall in with every duty. An Hypocrites obedience is alwayes partial, 'tis never univerſal, he ſtill baulks or boggles with thoſe commands that croſs his luſts. The Phariſees faſted,Mat. 23.23. Chap. 6. prayed, gave alms, and paid tythes: O, but they omitted the weightier matters of the Law, judgment, mercy and faith, and they were unnatural to parents, and under a p…etence of praying,Mat. 15.4, 5, 6. they made a prey of widows houſes; under a pretence of piety, they exerciſed the greateſt covetouſneſs, unrighteouſneſs and cruelty, and that upon widows, who are (uſually the greateſt objects of pity and charity; they made no bones of robbing the widow, under a pretence of honouring of God: So Judas, under a pretence of laying up for the poor, robbed the poor; he pretended to lay up for the poor,John 12.6. After ſome men have made a long and high profeſſion, ſome one beloved luſt or other, which they would never let go, parts Chriſt and them for ever. but he intended only to lay up for himſelf, and to provide againſt a rainy day; it is probable that he had no great mind to ſtay long with his Lord, and therefore he was reſolved to make the beſt market he could for himſelf. Judas being willing to ſet up for himſelf, under a cloak of holineſs, he practiſes the greateſt unfaithfulneſs. Though the Eagle ſoars high, yet ſtill her eye is upon her prey; ſo though Judas did ſoar high in profeſſion, yet his eye was ſtill upon his prey, upon his bags; and ſo he might have it, he cared not who went without it; ſo he might be rich, he did not care though his Lord and his retinue grew never ſo poor. Judas under all his ſhews of ſanctity, had not ſo much as common honeſty in him; counterfeit holineſs is often made a ſtalking horſe to much unrighteouſneſs; but certainly it were better, with the Philoſopher, to have honeſty without Religion, than to have Religion without honeſty. An Hypocrite may exerciſe himſelf in ſome outward, eaſie, ordinary duties of Religion; but when ſhall you ſee an Hypocrite laying the ax to the root of the Tree, or a ſearching and trying his own heart, or ſeverely judging his boſom ſins, or humbly mourning and lamenting over ſecret corruptions, or doubling his guards about his own ſoul, or rejoycing in the graces, ſervices or excellencies of others, or ſtriving or preſſing after the higheſt pitches of grace, holineſs and communion with God, or endeavouring more to caſt out the beam out of his own eye, than the mote out of his brother's eye, or to be more ſevere againſt his own ſins, than againſt the ſins of others? Alas! an Hypocrite is ſo far from practiſing theſe duties, that he thinks them either ſuperfluous or impoſſible. An Hypocrites obedience is alwayes a limited and ſtinted obedience; it is either limited to ſuch commands which are moſt ſutable to his eaſe, ſafety, honour, profit, pleaſure, &c. or elſe it is limited to the outward part of the command, and never extends it ſelf to the inward and ſpiritual part of the command; as you may ſee in the Scribes and Phariſees; their obedience was all outward, they had no regard at all to the inward and ſpiritual part of any command; as is evident in that high charge that Chriſt gives in againſt them, Mat. 5. They did not murder, they did not commit adultery, they had an eye to the outward part of the command; but Chriſt charges them with unjuſt and adulterous thoughts, unchaſt glances, contemplative wickedneſs, ſpeculative uncleanneſs, &c. they having no regard at all to the inward and ſpiritual part of any command; common grace looks only to ſome particular duties, but ſaving grace looks to all. Renewing grace comes off to poſitives as well as negatives,Iſa. 1.16, 17. Tit. 2.11, 12, 13. it teacheth us to ceaſe to do evil, and it learns us alſo to do good; it teacheth us to deny all ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, and alſo to live ſoberly, righteouſly and godly in this preſent world. Theſe words contain the ſum of a Chriſtians duty, to live ſoberly towards our ſelves, righteouſly towards our neighbours, and godly towards God, is true godlineſs indeed, and the whole duty of man. There is never an Hypocrite in the world, that can ſincerely appeal to God, and ſay, Lord,Pſal. 119.6. Luke 1.5, 6. Acts 13.22. thou knoweſt that my heart is ſubdued to a willingneſs to perform all known duties; I would willingly do the beſt I can to obſerve all thy royal Laws: Lord, I unfeignedly deſire, and really endeavour to have an eye upon every command of thine, and to live up to every command of thine; and it is the real grief of my heart, and the daily burden of my ſoul, when I violate any of thy bleſſed Laws. He that can in uprightneſs thus appeal to God, ſhall never miſcarry in that other world. But,
Fourthly, There is never an Hypocrite in the world that makes God, or Chriſt, or holineſs, or his doing, or receiving good in his ſtation, relation or generation; his grand end, his higheſt end, his ultimate end of living in the world; pleaſures, profits and honours, are the Hypocrites all he aims at in this world; they are his Trinity which he adores and ſerves,1 John 2.16. and ſacrificeth himſelf unto; an Hypocrite's ends are corrupt and ſelfiſh. God may poſſibly be at the higher end of his work, but ſelf is at the further end; for he that was never truly caſt out of himſelf,John 6.26. Mat. 6.1, 5, 16. Gal. 4.17. Iſa. 58.3. Mal. 3.14. zech. 7.5, 6, 7. Gen. 34.21, 22 can have no higher end than himſelf. An Hypocrite is all for his own glory, he acts for himſelf, and from himſelf; ſo I may have the profit, the credit, the glory, the applauſe, come of God's glory what will; this is the language of an unſound heart. An Hypocrite will ſeem to be very godly when he can make a gain of godlineſs, he will ſeem to be very holy when holineſs is the way to outward greatneſs and happineſs; but this religious wickedneſs will double damn the Hypocrite at laſt. Selfends are the operative ingredients in all an Hypocrite does, ſelf is the chief Engine, ſelf is the great wheel that ſets all an hypocrites wheels a going. When hypocrites take up Religion,Rom. 16.18. Phil. 3.19. 'tis only to ſerve their own turns, to bring about their own carnal ends; they ſerve not the Lord, but their own bellies; they uſe Religion only as a ſtream to turn about their own Mill, and the more neatly to effect their own carnal projects. Simon Magus will needs be baptized, and he is very deſirous to have power to give the holy Ghoſt to others; but his aim being only to get a name,Acts 8.21. and to get money, Peter tells him to his face, that his heart was not right in the ſight of God. No man can go higher than his principles, and therefore an hypocrite having no higher principles than himſelf, all he does muſt needs be terminated in himſelf. Look, as all the Rivers that come from the Sea, do return back again to the Sea from whence they come, ſo all thoſe duties which ariſe from a mans ſelf, muſt needs center in a mans ſelf. An hypocrite alwayes makes himſelf the end of all his ſervice; but let ſuch hypocrites know, that though their profeſſion be never ſo glorious, and their duties never ſo abundant, yet their ends being ſelfiſh and carnal, all their pretentions and performances are but beautiful abominations in the ſight of God. An hypocrite has alwayes a ſquint eye, and ſquint ey'd aims, and ſquint ey'd ends in all he does.Numb. 22, 23. Chapters. 2 Pet. 2.15. 2 King. 10. Balaam ſpake very religiouſly, and he multiplyed Altars and ſacrifices; but the thing he had in his eye was the wages of unrighteouſneſs. Jehu deſtroyed bloudy Ahab's houſe, he executed the vengeance of God upon that wicked family; he readily,1 King. 21. Jonah 3. reſolutely and effectually deſtroyed all the worſhippers of Baal, but his ends were to ſecure the Kingdom to him and his. Ahab and the Ninivites faſted in ſackcloth, but it was meerly that they might not feel the heavy judgments that they feared would overtake them. The Jews in Babylon faſted and mourned,Zech. 7.5, 6. and mourned and faſted ſeventy years, but it was more to get off their chains than their ſins, it was more to be rid of their captivity than it was to be rid of their iniquity. Look, as the Eagle hath an eye upon her prey when ſhe flies higheſt, ſo theſe Jews in all their faſting, praying, mourning, they had only an eye to their own eaſe, deliverance, freedom, &c. in all their Religious duties they were acted from evil principles, and carried on by ſelf-reſpects; and therefore Daniel denies, that in all that ſeventy years captivity they had prayed to any purpoſe. All this is come upon us, Dan. 9.13.yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and underſtand thy truth. It is the end that dignifies or debaſeth the action, that rectifies it or adulterates it, that ſets a crown of honour, or a crown of ſhame upon the head of it. He that commonly, habitually, in all his duties and ſervices, propoſes to himſelf no higher ends than the praiſes of men, or rewards of men, or the ſtopping the mouth of natural conſcience, or only to avoid a ſmarting rod, or meerly to ſecure himſelf from wrath to come, he is an hypocrite. The ends of a mans actions are alwayes a great diſcovery either of ſincerity or hypocriſie. Look, as great gifts, not ſweetned with ſincerity, are no ornaments to us; ſo great infirmities not ſowred with hypocriſie, are no great deformities to us. An hypocrites ends are alwayes below God, they are alwayes below glorifying of God, exalting of God, walking with God, and enjoying communion with God. An hypocrite in all he does, ſtill propoſes to himſelf ſome poor, mean, ignoble ſelf-end or other.
But now mark, a ſincere Chriſtian, if he prayes, or hears, or gives,Pſal. 115.1. 1 Theſ. 2.6. or faſts, or repents, or obeys, &c. God's glory is the main end of all; the glory of God is his higheſt end, his ultimate end. A ſincere Chriſtian can be content to be trampled upon and vilified, ſo God's name be glorified; the bent of ſuch a heart is for God and his glory;Rev. 4.9, 10, 11. nothing but ſincerity can carry a ſoul ſo high, as in all acts natural, civil and religious, to intend God's glory. A ſincere Chriſtian aſcribes the praiſe of all to God,Rom. 14.7, 8. he ſets the crown on Chriſt's head alone, he will ſet God upon the throne, and make all things elſe his ſervants, or his foot-ſtool; all muſt bow the knee to God, or be trodden in the dirt; he will love nothing, he will imbrace nothing but what ſets God higher, or brings God neerer to his heart. The glory of God is the mark, the white, that the ſincere, Chriſtian has in his eye. The ſincere Chriſtian lives not to himſelf,1 Cor. 10. ult. Rev. 12.11. but to him who lives for ever; he lives not to his own will, or luſts, or greatneſs, or glory in this world, but he lives to his glory, whoſe glory is dearer to him than his own Life. Look, as bright ſhining golden veſſels do not retain the beams of the Sun which they receive, but reflect them back again upon the Sun; ſo the ſincere Chriſtian return and reflects back again upon the Sun of righteouſneſs, the praiſe and glory of all the gifts, graces and vertues that they have received from him. The daily language of ſincere ſouls is this;1 Chron. 29, 10, 18. Rom. 13.7. Non nobis Domine, non nobis Domine; Not unto us Lord, not unto us Lord, but to thy name be all the glory. A ſincere Chriſtian makes conſcience of giving men their dues; how much more then does he make conſcience of giving God his due.Pſal. 96.7, 8. Now glory is God's due, and God ſtands upon nothing more than that we g…ve him the glory due unto his name,Propter te Domine propter te, was once and is ſtill every ſincere Chriſtians Motto. as you may ſee in Pſal. 29.1, 2. There are three gives in thoſe two verſes; Give unto the Lord, give unto the Lord, give unto the Lord the glory that is due unto his name. Glory i… God's right, and he ſtands upon his right, and this the ſincere Chriſtian knows, and therefore he gives him his right, he gives him the honour and the glory that is due unto his name. But pray do not miſtake me, I do not ſay that ſuch as are really ſincere, do actually eye the glory of Chriſt in all their actions: Oh, no, this is a happineſs deſirable on earth, but ſhall never be attained till we come to heaven. By and baſe ends and aims will be ſtill ready to creep into the beſt hearts; but all ſincere hearts ſigh and groan under them, they complain to God of them, and they cry out for juſtice, juſtice upon them, and it is the earneſt deſires and daily endeavours of their ſouls to be rid of them; and therefore they ſhall not be imputed to them, nor keep good things from them: But now take a ſincere Ch…iſtian in his ordinary, uſual and habitual courſe, and you ſhall find that his aims and ends in all his actions and undertakings are to glorifie God, to exalt God, and to lift up God in the world. If the Hypocrite did in good earneſt aim at the glory of God in what he does, then the glory of God would ſwallow up all his by aims and carn…l ends, as Aarons rod ſwallowed up the Magicians rods. Look, as the Sun puts out the light of the fire,Exod. 7.10, 11, 12. ſo the glory of God (where it is aimed at) will put out and conſume all by and baſe ends. This is moſt certain, that which is a man's great end, that will work out all other ends; he that ſets up the glory of God as his chief end, will find that his chief end will by degrees eat out all low and baſe ends. Look,Gen. 41.4. as Pharaoh's lean kin… ate up the fat, ſo the glory of God will eat up all thoſe fat and worldly ends that crowd in upon the ſoul in religious work. Where the glory of God is kept up as a man's greateſt end, there all by and baſe ends will be kept at an under. By what has been ſaid, 'tis moſt evident, that an Hypocrite in all his tranſactions looks at himſelf, and deſigns the advance and advantage of himſelf. An Hypocrite is as well able to make a world, and to unmake himſelf, as he is able to make the glory of God, the exaltation of God his higheſt end, his utmoſt aim in what he does. But,
Fifthly, No Hypocrite can live wholly and only upon the duplicate page duplicate page righteouſneſs of Chriſt, the ſatisfaction of Chriſt, the merits of Chriſt for juſtification and ſalvation. The hypocritical Scribes and Phariſees prayed and faſted,Mat. 6. Luke 18.11, 12. ponder upon that Rev. 3.16, 17, 18. and kept the Sabbath, and gave almes, &c. and in this legal righteouſneſs they reſted and truſted. Upon the performance of theſe and ſuch like duties they laid the weight of their ſouls, and the ſtreſs of their ſalvation, and ſo periſhed for ever. An Hypocrite reſts upon what he doth, and never looks ſo high as the righteouſneſs of Chriſt; he looks upon his duties as ſo much good moneys laid out for heaven; he weaves a web of righteouſneſs to cloath himſelf withal, he never looks out for a more glorious righteouſneſs to be juſtified by than his own, and ſo puts a ſlight upon the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, Rom. 10.3. For they being ignorant of God's righteouſneſs, and going about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, have not ſubmitted themſelves unto the righteouſneſs of God. The firſt ſtep to ſalvation is to renounce our own righteouſneſs, the next ſtep is to embrace the righteouſneſs of Chriſt which is freely offered to ſinners i… the Goſpel; but theſe things the Hypocrite minds not, regards not: The righteouſneſs of an Hypocrite is not only imperfect, but impure, a rag, a filthy rag; and therefore he that reſts upon ſuch a righteouſneſs,Iſa. 64.6. muſt needs miſcarry to all eternity. O Sirs! who will ſay that that man needs a Saviour, that can flie to heaven upon the wings of his own duties and ſervices? If a man's duties can pacifie an infinite wrath, and ſatisfie an infinite juſtice, then farewel Chriſt, and welcom duties. He that will reſt upon his own righteouſneſs for life and juſtification, muſt needs ſit down on this ſide ſalvation; he that reſts upon his duties, and that reſts upon a gift of knowledge, a gift of utterance, a gift of memory, or a gift of prayer, though he may come near to heaven, and bid fair for heaven, yet he will never be able to get into heaven. Now, how ſad is it for a man to loſe himſelf and his ſoul in a wilderneſs of duties, when he is upon the borders, yea the very brink of the holy Land; he that reſts upon any thing in him, or done by him as a means to procure the favour of God, or the ſalvation of his ſoul, will put ſuch a cheat upon himſelf as will undo him for ever. Non-ſubmiſſion to the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, keeps Chriſt and the hypocrite aſunder; Chriſt will never love nor like to put the fine, clean,Rev. …9.7, 8. white linnen of his own righteouſneſs upon the old garment, the old rags of an hypocrites duties;Mar. 9.16, 17. neither will Chriſt ever delight to put his new wine into ſuch old bottles. An hypocrites confidence in his own righteouſneſs,Prov. 21.27. turns his righteouſneſs into filthineſs. But now a ſincere Chriſtian, he renounces his own righteouſneſs, he renounces all confidence in the fleſh,Phil. 3.3. he looks upon his own righteouſneſs as dung, yea as dogs meat (as ſome interpret the word foreign, in that,foreign dicuntur quaſi foreign. Vide Bezam, vide a Lapíde. Phil. 3.8.) he will ſay no more to his duties, to the works of his hands, ye are my Gods, Hoſ. 14.3. When they look upon the holineſs of Gods nature, the righteouſneſs of his government, the ſeverity of his Law, the terror of his wrath, they ſee an abſolute and indiſpenſable neceſſity of a more glorious righteouſneſs than their own to appear before God in. A ſincere Chriſtian ſets the higheſt price and value upon the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, Pſal. 71.16. I will make mention of thy righteouſneſs, even of thine only. Mark, the Emphaſis doubled, of thine, and thine only; a ſincere Chriſtian is convinced of the nature, worth and excellency of the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and therefore he cryes out, I will make mention of thy righteouſneſs, of thine only. The coſtly cloak (of Alciſthenes) which Dioniſius ſold to the Carthaginians for an hundred Talents, was indeed a mean and beggarly rag in a ſincere Chriſtian's eye, to that embroidered mantle of righteouſneſs that Chriſt puts upon his. A ſincere Chriſtian rejoyces in the righteouſneſs of Chriſt above all, Iſa. 61.10. I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord, my ſoul ſhall be joyful in my God; for he hath cloathed me with the garments of ſalvation, he hath covered me with the role of righteouſneſs, as a bridegroom decketh himſelf with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth her ſelf with her jewels. It is matter of joy,Knolls Hiſt. and a ſign of great favour from the great Turk, when a rich garment is caſt upon any that comes into his preſence: O then! what matter of joy muſt it be to a ſincere Chriſtian,Iſa. 28.16. to have the rich and royal garment of Chriſt's righteouſneſs caſt upon him? A ſincere Chriſtian reſts on the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, as on a ſure foundation, Iſa. 45.24. Surely ſhall one ſay, in the Lord have I righteouſneſs and ſtrength. It was a very ſweet and golden expreſſion of one, when he thought himſelf to be at the point of death; I confeſs, ſaid he, I am not worthy, I have no merits of mine own to obtain heaven by; Guliel. Abb…s in vita Bern. lib. 1. cap. 12.but my Lord had a double right thereunto, an hereditary right as a ſon, and a meritorious right as a ſacrifice; he was contented with the one right himſe f, the other right he hath given unto me, by the vertue of which gift I do rightly lay claim unto it, and am not confounded. A ſincere Chriſtian looks upon the righteouſneſs of Chriſt as that which renders him moſt ſplendid and glorious in the eyes of God, Phil. 3.9. And …e found in him not having mine own righteouſneſs, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Chriſt the righteouſneſs which is of God by faith. The Church, ſaith Marlorat, which puts on Chriſt and his righteouſneſs, is m re illuſtrious than the Air is by the Sun. A ſincere Chriſtian looks upon the righteouſneſs of Chriſt as his only ſecurity againſt wrath to come;1 Theſ. 1. ult. wrath to come is the greateſt wrath, wrath to come is the pureſt wrath, wrath to come is infinite wrath, wrath to come is everlaſting wrath: Now the ſincere Chriſtian he knows no way under heaven to ſecure himſelf from wrath to come, but by putting on the robe of Chriſt's righteouſneſs. The ſtory tells us (if we may believe it) that Pilate being called to Rome to give an account unto the Empeperor for ſome miſgovernment and male-adminiſtration,Rom. 13.14. he put on the ſeamleſs coat of Chriſt, and all the time he had …hat coat upon his back, Caeſar's fury was abated. There is nothing that can abate the wrath and fury of a ſin-revenging God, but the ſeamleſs coat of Chriſt's righteouſneſs. Well, for a cloſe remember this, There is never an hypocrite in the world that is more pleaſed, ſatisfied, delighted and content…d with the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, than with his own, &c. Though an hypocrite may be much in duties, yet he never lives above his duties; he works for life, and he reſts in his work, and this proves his mortal wound. But,
Sixthly, An Hypocrite never embraces a whole Chriſt, he can never take up his full and everlaſting reſt, ſatisfaction and content in the perſon of Chriſt, in the merits of Chriſt, in the enjoyment of Chriſt alone. No hypocrite did ever long and mourn after the enjoyment of Chriſt, as the beſt thing in all the world; no hypocrite did ever prize Chriſt for a ſanctifier as well as a Saviour; no hypocrite did ever look upon Chriſt, or long for Chriſt to deliver him from the power of his ſins, as much, or as well as to deliver him from wrath to come; no hypocrite can really love the perſon of Chriſt, or take ſatisfaction in the perſon of Chriſt,1 Theſ. 1.10. the rayes and beam… of Chriſts glory has never warm'd his heart; he never knew what boſom communion with Chriſt meant. An hypocrite may love to be healed by Ch iſt, and to be pa…doned by Chriſt, and to be ſaved by Chriſt, &c. but he can never take any complacency in the perſon of Chriſt, his heart never ſeriouſly works after union with Chriſt. The love of a ſincere Chriſtian runs much out to the perſon of Chriſt, heaven it ſelf without Chriſt,Cant. 5.10. Phil. 1.21. & 3.7, 8, 9, 10. would be to ſuch a ſoul but a poor thing, a low thing, a little thing, an uncomfortable thing, an empty thing; 'tis the perſon of Chriſt that is the ſparkling Diamond in the ring of glory. No hypocrite in the world is ſincerely willing to receive Chriſt in all his Offices, and to cloſe with him upon Goſpel terms.1 John 11, 13. Mat. 16.24. The terms upon which God offers Chriſt in the Goſpel, are theſe, viz. That we ſhall accept of a whole Chriſt with a whole heart. Now mark, a whole Chriſt includes all his Offices, & a whole heart includes all our faculties: Chriſt as Mediator is King, Prieſt and Prophet, and ſo God the Father in the Goſpel offers him. Salvation was too great and too glorious a work to be perfected and compleated by any one Office of Chriſt. Chriſt as a Prophet inſtructs us, and as a Prieſt he redeems us, and intercedes for us, and as a King he ſanctifies and ſaves us. The Apoſtle hit it when he ſaid, He is made to us of God, wiſdom, righteouſneſs, ſanctification and redemption. Conſider Chriſt as our Prophet, and ſo he is made wiſdom to us;1 Cor. 1.30. conſider him as our Prieſt, and ſo he is made righteouſneſs and redemption to us; conſider him as our King, and ſo he is made ſanctification and holineſs to us. An hypocrite may be willing to imbrace Chriſt as a Prieſt to ſave him from wrath, from the curſe, from hell, from everlaſting burning, but he is never ſincerely willing to imbrace Chriſt as a Prophet to teach and inſtruct him, and as a King to rule and reign over him; many hypocrites may be willing to receive a Chriſt Jeſus, that are not willing to receive a Lord Jeſus; they may be willing to imbrace a ſaving Chriſt, but they are not willing to imbrace a ruling Chriſt, a commanding Chriſt.Luke 19 27. This man ſhall not rule over us. O Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem! thou that killeſt the Prophets, how often would I have gathered thy children together, Mat. 23.37. Pſal. 2.2, 3. John 5.40. John 1.11. Iſa. 8 14. 1 Pet. 2.7, 8.even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not? And ye will not come to me that ye might have life. He came to his own, and his own received him not. An hypocrite is willing to receive Chriſt in one office, but not in every office; and this is that ſtumbling ſtone at which hypocrites ſtumble and fall, and are broken in pieces. Certainly Chriſt is as lovely and as comely …s deſirable, and delightful as eminent, and excellent in one office as he is in another, and therefore 'tis a juſt and righteous thing with God, that hypocrites that won't receive him in every office,1 Cor. 1.1…. ſhould have no benefit by any one of his offices. Chriſt and his offices may be diſtinguiſhed, but Chriſt and his offices can never be divided; whilſt many have been a labouring to divide one office of Chriſt from another, they have wholly ſtript themſelves of any advantage or benefit by Chriſt. Hypocrites love to ſhare with Chriſt in his happineſs, but they don't love to ſhare with Chriſt in his holineſs; they are willing to be redeemed by Chriſt, but they are not cordially willing to ſubmit to the Laws and Government of Chriſt; they are willing to be ſaved by his bloud, but they are not willing to ſubmit to his Scepter. Hypocrites love the priviledges of the Goſpel, but they don't love the ſervices of the Goſpel, eſpecially thoſe that are moſt inward and ſpiritual. But now a ſincere Chriſtian he owns Chriſt in all his offices,1 John 12. Mat. 2.6. Heb. 7.21, 26. Acts 3.22. John 12.46. he receives Chriſt in all his offices, and he cloſes with Chriſt in all his offices, he accepts of him not only as a Chriſt Jeſus, but alſo as a Lord Jeſus; he imbraces him not only as a ſaving Chriſt, but alſo as a ruling Chriſt. The Coloſſians received him as Chriſt Jeſus the Lord,Col. 2.6. they received a Lord Chriſt as well as a ſaving Chriſt, they received Chriſt as a King upon his throne,2 Cor. 4.5. as well as a ſacrifice upon his Croſs. God the Father in the Goſpel tenders a whole Chriſt; We preach Chriſt Jeſus the Lord,Acts 5.31. and accordingly a ſincere Chriſtian receives a whole Chriſt, he receives Chriſt Jeſus the Lord; he ſayes with Thomas, My Lord, and my God; John 20.28.he takes Chriſt for his wiſdom as well as for his righteouſneſs, and he takes him for his ſanctification as well as for his redemption. An hypocrite is all for a ſaving Chriſt, for a ſin-pardoning Chriſt, for a ſoul-glorifying Chriſt, but regards not a ruling Chriſt, a reigning Chriſt, a commanding Chriſt, a ſanctifying Chriſt, and this at laſt will prove his damning ſin, John 3.19, 20. But,
Seventhly, An Hypocrite can't mourn for ſin as ſin, nor grieve for ſin as ſin, nor hate ſin as ſin, nor make head againſt ſin as ſin. Mark, to hate ſin is not, 1.Num. 22. Meerly to refrain from ſin, for ſo Balaam did, even then when he was tempted to it. 2. To hate ſin is not meerly to confeſs ſin,Exod. 10.16. Mat. 27.4. for ſo Pharaoh and Judas did. 3. To hate ſin is not meerly to be afraid to ſin, for this may be where the hatred of ſin is not. 4. To hate ſin is not meerly to mourn becauſe of the dreadful effects and fruits that ſin may produce, for ſo Ahab did, and the Ninivites did, &c. He that ſears ſin for hell,Auguſtine. fears not to ſin but to burn, but he hates ſin indeed whoſo hates ſin as hell it ſelf. It was a ſaying of one of the Ancients,Anſelm. That if hell and ſin were before him, he would rather fall into hell than fall into ſin; here was a true hatred of ſin indeed. An hypocrite may be troubled for ſin, as it blots his name, and wounds his conſcience, and brings a ſcourge, and deſtroys his ſoul, & ſhuts him out of heaven, and throws him to hell, but he is never troubled for ſin, he never mourns for ſin, he never hates ſin becauſe 'tis contrary to the nature of God, the being of God, the Law of God, the glory of God, the deſign of God, or becauſe of the evil that is in the nature of ſin, or becauſe of the defiling and polluting power of ſin. True hatred of ſin is univerſal; 'tis of the whole kind; he who hates a toad becauſe it is a toad, hates every toad; and he who hates a man becauſe he is holy, hates every holy man; and ſo he who hates ſin becauſe 'tis ſin,foreign, Arist. Rhet. lib. 2. hates every ſin, Pſal. 119.128. I hate every falſe way. (True hatred is ever againſt the whole kind of a thing) Every ſincere Chriſtian hath in him a general hatred of every falſe way, and dares not allow himſelf in the leaſt ſin; What I do I allow not. Rom. 7.15.Rom. 12.9. Abhor that which is evil. The Greek word foreign is very ſignificant;Chryſoſt. the ſimple Verb imports extream deteſtation, which is aggravated by the compoſition;Rom. 2.21. the word ſignifies to hate evil as hell it ſelf. Though an hypocrite may hate ſome ſins; Thou abhorreſt Idols, yet that is out of ſome peculiar and particular indiſpoſition to a particular ſin;Doctor Sibs in his ſouls conflict makes the hatred of ſin the ſureſt and never failing character of a good ſoul, page 340. but this hatred of th…s or that particular ſin, ariſeth not from an inward nature or gracious principle, as it doth in him that is a ſincere Chriſtian; & the reaſon is this, becauſe that contrariety to ſin which is in a real Chriſtian ariſing from this inward gracious nature, is to the whole ſpecies or kind of ſin, and is irreconcilable to any ſin whatſoever. As contrarieties of nature are to the whole kind, as light is contrary to all darkneſs, and fire to all water; ſo this contrariety to ſin ariſing from the inward man, is univerſal to all ſin. Though a ſincere Chriſtian has not a univerſal victory over all ſin, yet there is in him a univerſal contrariety to all ſin. Victory argues ſtrength, contrariety argues nature. Hence it is that an hypocrite may hate one ſin, and love another, becauſe there is not a gracious nature in him which would be contrary to all. The inward nature of a Chriſtian is to be judged by the univerſal contrariety of his inward man to all ſin. Now this univerſal contrariety to all ſin, will beget a unive…ſal conflict with all ſin. O Sirs! remember this, A univerſal contrariety to ſin, can be found in no man but he that is ſincere; and this univerſal contrariety to ſin argues an inward nature of grace, and this is that which differences a real Chriſtian from an hypocrite, who may oppoſe ſome ſins out of other principles and reaſons. An hypocrite may be angry with this ſin and that, which brings the ſmarting rod, and wounds his conſcience, and diſturbs his peace, and imbitters his mercies, and ſtrangles his comforts, and that layes him open to wrath, and that brings him even to the gates of hell, but he can never hate ſin as ſin. An hypocrite he hates ſome ſins, but likes others, he loaths ſome but loves others, he oppoſes ſome but practiſes others; like the Angel of the Church of Epheſus, that hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, but loved luke-warmneſs.Rev. 2.5, 6. Many men deteſt theft that love covetouſneſs, abhor whoredom that like irrereligiouſneſs, &c. There is no hypocrite under heaven, that can truly ſay, I hate every falſe way; but a ſincere Chriſtian he hates all ſinful wayes, but his own firſt and moſt;1 Kings 5.18. an upright heart leaves no neſt-egg for Satan to ſit on, but the hypocrite alwayes does. Mark, in true hatred there are ſix things obſervable.
Firſt, True hatred includes an extream deteſtation; every diſlike is not hatred, but true hatred is an extream loathing: Thou ſhalt caſt them away as a menſtrous cloth, Iſa 30.22.thou ſhalt ſay unto it, Get thee hence. Chap. 2.20.In that day a man ſhall caſt his idols of ſilver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himſelf to worſhip, to the Moles and to the Bats. Their deteſtation ſhould be ſo great, that they ſhould caſt their moſt coſtly idols of ſilver and gold, into the moſt dark, naſty, duſty corners; to teſtifie the ſincerity of their converſion to God, they ſhould hate and abhor, abandon and aboliſh their gold and ſilver idols which they valued above all others.
Secondly, True hatred includes an earneſt ſeparation. He that hates his ſin would fain be ſeparated from his ſin:2 Cor. 5.4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan being burdened. A ſincere Chriſtian finds no burden to lay ſo heavy and weighty upon his ſpirit as ſin, and therefore he groans to be delivered from it. In the Law,Deut. 24.3. he that hated his Wife did ſue out a bill of divorce from her. He that truly hates ſin, puts in many a bill into the Court of Heaven, that he may be for ever divorced from his ſin.
Thirdly, True hatred includes an irreconcilable alienation. He that hates ſin, has his heart for ever alienated from ſin; he who hates ſin, can never be one with ſin. Two angry men may be made friends,Lawyers often fall out at the Bar, but are very well agreed when they meet at the Tavern. but if two men hate each other, all friendſhip is everlaſtingly broken betwixt them. A man may be angry with ſin, and yet made friends with ſin again; but if once he comes to hate his ſin, then all friendſhip with ſin is everlaſtingly broken. When Chriſt and the ſoul comes to be really one, then ſin and the ſoul comes to be everlaſtingly two, &c.
Fourthly, True hatred includes a conſtant and perpetual conflict; the fleſh will be ſtill luſting againſt the ſpirit, and the ſpirit againſt the fleſh.Gal. 5.17. Rom. 7.22, 23. Though ſin and grace were not born together, and though ſin and grace ſhall never die together; yet whilſt a believer lives in this world, they muſt live together; and whilſt ſin and grace do cohabit together, they will ſtill be oppoſing and conflicting one with another. That man that truly hates ſin, will everlaſtingly conflict with ſin, he will die fighting againſt his ſins as one of the Dukes of Venice died fighting againſt his enemies with his weapons in his hand. Well Chriſtians, remember this, Though to be kept from ſin brings moſt peace and comfort to us, yet for us to oppoſe ſin, and for God to pardon ſin, that brings moſt glory to God, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9.
Fifthly, True hatred includes a deadly intention and deſtruction; for nothing ſatisfies hatred but death and ruin. Saul hated David, 1 Sam. 26.19, 20. 1 Sam. 23.23. Eſt. 5.14.and ſought his life; he hunted him up and down as a Partridge in the mountains, he left no ſtone unturn'd, nor no means unattempted, whereby he might revenge himſelf upon David. Haman hated Mordecai, and nothing would ſatisfie him but to bring him to a ſhameful death, to ſee him hang'd on a gallows fifty cubits high (which was deſign'd ſaith Lyra, to put Mordecai to the greater ſhame, for he hanging h…gh every one might ſee him and point to him.) Now when there was but one night betwixt Mordecai and a ſhameful death, divine providence opportunely ſtrook in and ſaved h…m from Haman's malice, and cauſed the miſchief which he had plotted againſt Mordecai, ſuddenly to fall upon his own pate; for he who was highly feaſted with the King one day,2 Sam. 13.22, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. was made a feaſt for crows the next day. Abſalom hated Amnon and killed him. Julian the Apoſtate hated the Chriſtians with a deadly hatred, he put many thouſands of them to death, and threatned and vowed that at his return from fighting againſt the Perſians he would put all the Chriſtians in his Empire to the ſword, but God prevented him, by cutting him off in that expedition. A Chriſtian that hates ſin, can't be ſatisfied but in the death and deſtruction of it; in all his duties the language of his ſoul is, Lord, let my ſins be deſtroyed, whoever eſcapes let not my ſins eſcape the hand of thy revenging juſtice: And in all Ordinances the language of his ſoul is, O Lord! when ſhall my ſins be ſubdued and mortified, when ſhall my curſed corruptions be brought to an under? yea, when ſhall they all be drowned in the Red-Sea of my Saviours bloud, &c.
Sixthly, True hatred includes an impartial averſation, true hatred is of the whole kind; but of this before. To wind up all, ask thy heart what is it that thou abhorreſt as the ſuperlative evil? what is that which thou wouldſt have ſeparated as far from thee, as heaven is from hell? what is that thy heart will never renew league or friendſhip with any more? what is that againſt which thy ſoul doth riſe, and with which (as Iſrael with Amalek) thou wilt have war for ever?Exod. 17.16. what is that which thou wilt be avenged of, and daily doſt endeavour the mortifying and crucifying of? what is that which thou ſetteſt thy heart againſt in the comprehenſive latitude thereof, whether great or little, open or ſecret? if it be ſin, if it be thy ſins, if it be all thy ſins, then aſſuredly here is a true hatred of ſin, and aſſuredly here is a moſt diſtinguiſhing character of a child of God, of a ſound converſion, and of a ſaving change. It was not wont to be thus with thee, nor is this findable in any hypocrite,Judg. 14.3, 7. or in any unconverted perſon upon the face of the earth;2 Sam. 13.15. ſin was once to thee as Dalilah to Sampſon, but now it is to thee as Tamar to Amnon; Job 20.12, 13.once it was a ſweet morſel which thou heldſt faſt and wouldſt not let it go,Iſa. 30.22. but now it is the menſtruous cloth which thou caſteſt away,Hoſ. 14.8. ſaying, Get thee hence: Now with Ephraim thou cryeſt out, What have I to do any more with Idols? O, if it be indeed thus with thee, then thou haſt cauſe for ever to be much in bleſſing and in admiring of the Lord for his diſtinguiſhing grace and favour towards thee. O Sirs! the world is full of baits, ſnares and temptations, but whilſt the hatred of ſin burns in your breaſts, you may caſt up your caps, and throw the Gantlet to the world, the fleſh and the devil. Well, remember this for ever, There are three things an hypocrite can never do. 1. He can never mourn for ſin as ſin. 2. He can never mourn for the ſins of others as well as his own. Moſes, Lot, David, Jeremiah, Paul, and thoſe in that, Ezek. 9.4, 6. mourned for others ſins as well as their own; but Pharoah, Ahab, Judas, Demas, Simon Magus never did. 3. He can never hate ſin as ſin. But,
Eighthly, No hypocrite is habitually low or little in his own eyes, no hypocrite has ordinarily mean thoughts of himſelf,1 Cor. 8.1, 2. John 7.49. & 9.34. or a poor eſteem of himſelf; no hypocrite loves to leſſen himſelf to greaten Chriſt, to debaſe himſelf to exalt Chriſt; no hypocrite loves to be out-ſhin'd, all hypocrites love to write an I (not a Chriſt) upon what they do. The Phariſee ſtood and prayed thus with himſelf,Luke 18.11, 12 Munday and Thurſday were the Phariſees. faſting dayes, becauſe Moſes went up to the Mount on a Thurſday, and came down on a Munday, ſaith Druſius. God I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjuſt, adulterers, or even as this Publican; I faſt twice in the week, I give tythes of all that I poſſeſs. All hypocrites ſtand not only upon their compariſons, but alſo upon the diſpariſons; I am not as this Publican. All hypocrites ſtand much upon their negative righteouſneſs, and their comparative goodneſs. There is no hypocrite in the world, but ſets down his penny for a pound, and alwayes prizes himſelf above the Market, 2 Kings 10.15, 16. And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the ſon of Rechab, coming to meet him, and he ſaluted him, and ſaid to him, Is thine heart right as my heart is with thy heart? and Jehonadab anſwered, it is; if it be, give me thine hand, and be gave him his hand, and he took him up to him into his chariot; and he ſaid, come with me, and ſee my zeal for the Lord. Comets make a greater blaze than fixed Stars; Come ſee my zeal for the Lord. Jehu his words were for the Lord, but his project was for the kingdom. The Actor in the Comedy ſaid with his mouth, O coelum (O heaven) but with his finger he pointed to the earth. Lapidaries tell us of a ſtone called the Chelydonian ſtone, that it will retain its vertue no longer than it is encloſed in gold; a fit emblem of an hypocrite, of a Jehu. John 12.43.Jehu made a great blaze, but he was but a Comet. An hypocrite alwayes loves the praiſe of men more than the praiſe of God, he loves more to be honoured by men than to be honoured by God.John 5.44. How can ye believe which receive honour one of another, and ſeek not the honour which cometh from God only. Nothing below that power which raiſed Chriſt from the grave, can make an hypocrite purely nothing in his own eyes. An hypocrite is alwayes a great thing in his own eyes,Accius the Poet, though he were a Dwarf, yet would be pictured tall of ſtature. The application to the hypocrite is eaſie. and when he is nothing, a great nothing in others eyes, he can't bear it. An hypocrite can't endure to be out-ſhin'd in gifts, in graces, in experiences, in duties, in communion with God, in ſpiritual enjoyments. An hypocrites heart is full of pride, when his deportment is moſt humble; he alwayes thinks beſt of himſelf and worſt of others, he looks upon his own vices as graces, and he looks upon other mens graces as vices, or at leaſt, as no true currant coyn. A proud ſpirit will caſt diſgrace upon that excellency that himſelf wants,Euſebius Eccl. Hiſt. l. 4. c. 13. as Licinius who was joyned with Galerius in the Empire, he was ſo ignorant that he was not able to write his own name; he was a bitter enemy to learning, and as Euſebius reports of him, he called the liberal Arts a publick poyſon and peſtilence. The emptieſt barrels makes the loudeſt ſound, the worſt metal the greateſt noiſe, and the lighteſt ears of corn hold their heads higheſt. An hypocrite may well lay his hand upon his heart, and ſay, is it not ſo with me? is it not juſt ſo with me?
But now ſincere Ch…iſtians, they are men of another ſpirit, of another temper, of another mettle, of another mind, their hearts lye low, when their gifts, and graces, and ſpiritual enjoyments are high. Abraham is but duſt and aſhes in his own eyes.Gen. 18.27. The higher any man is in his communion with God, the more low that man will be in his own eyes: Duſt and aſhes are poor, baſe, vile, worthleſs things, and ſuch a thing as theſe was Abraham in his own eyes. So Jacob was a plain man,Gen. 32.10. an upright man; and lo, what a low eſteem had he of himſelf, I am not worthy of the leaſt of all the mercies which thou haſt ſhewed unto thy ſervant, &c. In the Hebrew it is, I am little before thy mercies; for the Hebrews have no comparative,Gen. 31. from ver. 38. to 41. The leaſt mercy, ſaith Jacob, is more worth than I, & more weighty than I and therefore they are wont to expreſs this by a poſitive and a prepoſition. When Jacob had to do with Laban, he pleads his merits, but when he has to do with God, he pleads nothing but grace, ſetting a very low eſteem upon himſelf; he looks upon himſelf as leſs than the leaſt of mercies, and as worſe than the worſt of creatures; the leaſt of my mercies are greater than I deſerve, and the greateſt of my troubles are leſs than I deſerve, ſaith Jacob. The language of a plain hearted Jacob is this; O Lord, I might with Job have been ſtript of all my comforts and enjoyments at a clap, and ſet upon a dunghil, I might with Lazarus have been begging my bread from door to door,Lam. 5.9. or I might have been getting my bread with the peril of my life, becauſe of the ſword of the wilderneſs, or I might have been with Dives in hell, a crying out for a drop of water to cool my tongue. A ſincere Chriſtian cannot tell how to ſpeak good enough of God,Luk. 16.24. nor ill enough of himſelf. Agur was one of the wiſeſt and holieſt men on earth, and ſee how greatly he debaſes himſelf;Prov. 30.1, 2. Surely I am more brutiſh than any man, and have not the underſtanding of a man. Agur had ſeen Ithiel (God with me) and Ucal (God almighty) and this made him ſo vile and baſe in his own eyes; this made him villifie, yea nullifie himſelf to the utmoſt.Job was a non-ſuch in regard of thoſe perfections and … grees of grace, of integrity, of ſanctity, that he had attained to beyond any other Saints in the World, in his time and day. You know, no man ever received a fairer or a more valuable certificate under the hand of God, or the broad Seal of heaven for his being a ſoul famous in uprightneſs and holineſs than Job… as you may ſee, Job 1.8. And the Lord ſaid unto Satan, haſt thou con…ed my ſervant Job, than there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and eſcheweth evil. Job was high in worth, and humble in heart, Job 42.5, 6. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine …e ſeeth thee; I abhor my ſelf in duſt and aſhes. This expreſſion is the deepeſt act of abhorrency; abhorrency ſtrictly taken, is hatred wound up to the height. I abhor my ſelf. The Hebrew word that is rendred abhor, ſignifies to reject, to diſdain, to contemn, to caſt off. Ah, ſayes Job, I abhor my ſelf, I reject my ſelf, I diſdain my ſelf, I caſt off my ſelf, I have a very vile and baſe eſteem of my ſelf. David was a man of great integrity, a man after Gods own heart, and yet he looks upon himſelf as a Flea;1 King. 15.5. and what is more contemptible than … looks upon himſelf as a Flea, ſo he looks upon himſelf as a worm;1 Sam. 26.20 I am a worm and no man. The Hebrew word foreign Tolagnath, Pſal. 22.6.that is here rendred a worm, ſignifies a very little worm which breedeth in ſcarlet, a worm that is ſo li…l… … that a man can hardly perceive it. A worm is the moſt deſpicable creature in the world, trampled under foot by man and beaſts; he who was in God's eye a man after his own heart, is in his own eye but a deſpicable worm, A ſincere Chriſtian is a little, little nothing in his own eyes.
So Paul who had been caught up into the th…d heav…,Chryſoſtom. … learned his divinity among the Angels, as one ſpeaks; and had ſuch glorious Revelations as could not be uttered, yet he accounts himſelf leſs than the leaſt of all Saints, Eph… ▪ ….8… Unto me who am leſs than the leaſt of all Saints. Vide Eſ…ius, …m, &c.The Greek is … comparative made of a ſuperlative, leſs than the leaſt … Saints is a double diminutive, and ſignifies leſſer than the leaſt, if leſſer might be, (not that any thing can be leſs than the leaſt) Paul's rhetorick doth not croſs Ariſtotles Philoſophy, the original word being a double dimin…tive; his meaning is, that he was as little as could be, therefore he put himſelf down ſo little, as could not be leſs than the leaſt. Here you have the greateſt Apoſtle deſcending down to the loweſt ſtep of humility; great Paul is leaſt of Saints,1 Tim. 1.15. laſt of the Apoſtles, and greateſt of ſinners.
So Peter, Depart from me, for I am a ſinful man, O Lord; Luke 5.8. foreign.or as the Greek runs, A man, a ſinner, a very mixture and compound of dirt and ſin, a meer bundle of vice and vanity, of folly and iniquity. So Luther, I have no other name than ſinner, ſinner is my name, ſinner is my ſirname, this is the name by which I ſhall be alwayes known; I have ſinned, I do ſin, I ſhall ſin in infinitum, ſaith Luther ſpeaking vilely and baſely of himſelf. Lord, I am hell, and thou art heaven, ſaid bleſſed Hooper, I am a moſt hypocrital wretch, not worthy that the earth ſhould bear me, ſaid bleſſed Bradford. Thus you ſee by theſe ſeveral inſtances, that ſincere Chriſtians do as it were take a holy pleaſure and delight to debaſe, humble and villifie themſelves. But this is a work hypocrites are meer ſtrangers to; there is not an hypocrite under heaven that loves to debaſe himſelf, or that makes it his duty conſcientiouſly to villifie and leſſen himſelf, that Chriſt may be ſet up above all.Auguſtin. Humility is a grace hardly attained unto. Many (ſaith one) can more eaſily give all they have to the poor, than themſelves become poor in ſpirit. But,
Ninthly, No hypocrite will long hold out in the work and wayes of the Lord, in the want of outward incouragements, and in the face of outward diſcouragements. An hypocrite is an Apoſtate caſed, and an Apoſtate is an hypocrite uncaſed, Job 27. ver. 8. For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God ſhall take away his ſoul? Ver. 10. Will he delight himſelf in the Almighty? Will he alwayes call upon God? Or, as the Hebrew runs, Will he in every time call upon God? It may be he may formally call on God in time of proſperity; but can he ſeriouſly do it in time of adverſity? Sometimes when the rod is upon them, then they will pour out a prayer to God;Iſa, 26.16. In their affliction they will ſeek me earthly. When he ſlew them, then they ſought him, and they returned and enquired after God. Hoſ. 5. ult. Pſal. 78, 34.But this was not the ſtanding frame of their hearts. Ver. 36. Nevertheleſs, they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lyed unto him with their tongues. Ver. 47. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they ſtedfaſt in his Covenant. When Pharoah was upon the wrack, he could roar out a confeſſion,Exo. 10.16, 17. Ver. 19.20. and earneſtly cry out for a prayer; but when the judgment was removed, Pharoah was as proud, and hard, and blind as ever.1 King. 1.50, 51 When Adonijah was in danger of death, then he could hang on the horns of the Altar. When Ahab was threatned with utter deſolation, then he could faſt and lye in ſackcloth; and ſo did the Minivites: Jonah 3.But all this was but like Ephraim and Judah's goodneſs, that as a morning cloud, and as the early dew paſſeth away. Will the hypocrite alwayes, or in every time call upon God? will the hypocrite call upon God as often as providence calls him to call upon God? will he call upon God as often as judgments call him to call upon God? will he call upon God as often as conſcience calls him to call upon God? will he call upon God as often as 'tis his duty to call upon God? will he call upon God as often as others call upon him to call upon God? Oh no. The hypocrite will not alwayes call upon God, he will not perſevere in prayer, he will not hold on, nor hold out in prayer, he is ſhort ſpirited, he can't alwayes pray and not faint, or ſhrink back as ſluggards do in work, or cowards in war, as the original word in Luke imports.Luke 18.1. foreign. An hypocrite for want of an inward principle, can neither delight in God, nor alwayes call upon God. If God comes not at his call, if he opens not as ſoon as he knocks, he is out of patience, and ready to ſay with that proud prophane Prince; Behold, this evil is of the Lord, and what ſhould I wait for him any longer? 2 Kings 6:33.If any hypocrite obtains the mercy he deſires, then he will throw off prayer; as he ſaid, Take away the net, the fiſh is caught; if he obtains not the mercy, then he will grow weary of his duty. Thou haſt been weary of me, O Iſrael.Mal. 1.13. Iſa. 43.22. Prayer is too hard and too high a work for an unſound heart to hold on in; prayer is heart-work, and that proves heavy work to him. The ſoul of prayer lyes in the pouring out of the ſoul before God, and this is a work that an hypocrite has no skill in.1 Sam. 1.15. It was a prophane and blaſphemous ſpeech of that Atheiſtical wretch, that told God he was no common beggar, he never troubled him before with prayer,Hil. Mic. p. 376. and if he would but hear him that time, he would never trouble him again: Even ſuch a ſpirit and ſuch principles lye lurking in every hypocrites breaſt. Doubtleſs he hit it who ſaid; How canſt thou expect duplicate page duplicate page that God ſhould hear thee, Cyprian de oratione Dominica. Pſal. 116.1, 2. Gen. 32.24, to ver. 29. Hoſ. 12.3, 4. Mat. 15.22. to ver. 28.when thou wilt not hear thy ſelf? or that God ſhould give thee a return in prayer, when thou art not mindful what thou askeſt in prayer? But now a ſincere Chriſtian he will go on in prayer, ſpeed or not ſpeed; if he prevails he will love prayer the better all his dayes, if he don't for the preſent prevail, he will be ſo much the more importunate with God in prayer: 'Tis as natural for a bird to live without Air, and for a fiſh to live without water, and for a man to live without food, as 'tis for a ſincere heart to live without prayer. O, ſaith Chryſoſtom, it is more bitter than death to be ſpoyled of prayer. Dan. 6. Prayer is porta coeli clavis paradiſi, the ſeat of heaven, a key to let us into paradiſe.And hereupon (as he obſerves) Daniel choſe rather to run the hazard of his life, than to loſe or give over his private prayers. Prayer is the key of heaven, and a ſincere Chriſtian loves much to be a handling of that key, though he ſhould dye for it. As that Emperor ſaid, Oportet Imperatorem ſtantem mori, It behoves an Emperor to dye ſtanding: So may I ſay, Oportet Chriſtianum mori praecantem, It behoves a Chriſtian to dye praying. An hypocrite will never hold out to the end; let but outward incouragements fail him, and his heart will quickly fail him in a way of duty. Hypocrites are like blazing Stars, which ſo long as they are fed with vapours, ſhine as if they were fixed Stars; but let the vapours dry up, and preſently they vaniſh and diſappear; let but the eye, the ear, the applauſe of men fail the hypocrite, and he will be ready to throw up all.2 Pet. 2.20, 21, 22. 2 Tim. 4.10. If an hypocrite can't make ſome gain of his godlineſs, ſome profit of his profeſſion, ſome advantage of his Religion, he will be ready with Demas, to turn his back upon all religious duties and ſervices. Look, as a lame horſe, when he is heated will go well enough, but when he cools will halt down right; even ſo an hypocrite, though for a time he may go on fairly in his way, yet in the end he will halt down right, & bid farewel (if not defiance) to all religious duties and ſervices: Profit and applauſe are uſually the baits that hypocrites bite at, and if they miſs theſe baits, then farewel profeſſion, farewel Religion, farewel all. John 6.66. From that time many of his Diſciples went back and walked no more with him. Many hypocrites who had given up their names to Chriſt, and who for a time had been followers of Chriſt, at laſt deſerted him and turned their back… for ever upon him, Mat. 13.5. Some fall upon ſtony places, where they had not much earth (not much care to receive, not much underſtanding to apprehend, not much faith to believe, not much will to obey, or not much love to retain it) and forthwith they ſprung up, becauſe they had no deepneſs of earth. Ver: 6. And when the Sun was up they were ſcorched, and becauſe they had no root they withered away. This ſecond ground goes beyond the former; For 1. It receives the ſeed. 2. Incontinently: 3. With joy. 4. It brings up the ſeed ſown, it ſprung up to ſundry degrees. 1. To external obedience and reformation in many things. 2. To an outward profeſſion. 3. To a kind of faith; but when the Sun of perſecution beat hot upon them they withered and fell away, not all at once, but by little and little, as a leaf loſeth his greeneſs and flouriſh, and withers by degrees. In the Palatinate, when the Sun of perſecution began to ſcorch them, ſcarce one Profeſſor of twenty ſtood out, but fell to Popery as faſt as leaves in Autumn. The Chryſtal looks like pearl till it comes to the hammering; ſo an hypocrite looks like a Chriſtian, and in many things acts like a Chriſtian, till he comes to be hammered by ſufferings, by perſecutions, and then he diſcovers himſelf in his colours; and with Hymeneus and Alexander, 1 Tim. 1.19, 20. Hoſ. 5.2.he makes ſhipwrack of faith and a good conſcience. In ſuffering times hypocrites labour mightily to put out that light which ſhines in their boſoms, and when they have quencht that light, then farewel faith, farewel profeſſion, farewel a good conſcience, farewel all. The wolf, though he often diſſembles, and cloſsly hides his nature, yet he can't alwayes do ſo; for at one time or other he will ſhew himſelf to be a Wolf: So though an hypocrite may carry it cloſsly for a time, yet he will one time or other diſcover himſelf to be an hypocrite. It is reported of the waters of Nilus, that having run many hundred of miles a pure and clear water, when it comes near the Mediterranean Sea, it begins to grow brackiſh and ſalt, and at laſt it falls into the Sea and loſeth its name. Sooner or later this will be the caſe of all hypocrites, they won't retain their ſpiritual fairneſs, clearneſs and ſweetneſs long, but by degrees will grow brackiſh and ſalt, and loſe their names, and all that ſeeming goodneſs and ſweetneſs that once ſeemed to be in them.
But now a ſincere Chriſtian he will hold on, and hold out in the wayes of the Lord in the want of all outward incouragements, and in the face of all multiplyed diſcouragements. When the eye of men, the favour of men, the bounty of men, and all other encouragement from men fails, yet then a ſincere Chriſtian will hold up, and hold on in his work and way.Job 17.9. The righteous ſhall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands ſhall be ſtronger and ſtronger. The righteous man ſhall go on in a way of righteouſs to the end, no multiplyed calamities or miſeries ſhall ever work him to decline the way of righteouſneſs. From this way a ſincere Chriſtian will never be withdrawn, either by any hopes or advantages on the one hand, or by any fears or dangers on the other: Sincere Chriſtians have not taken up Religion on ſuch ſlight grounds, as to be either flattered or frighted out of it; ſincere Chriſtians reckon upon afflictions,Joh. 16. ult. Acts 14.22. 2 Tim. 4.8. temptations, croſſes, loſſes, reproaches on the one hand, and they reckon upon a crown of life, a crown of righteouſneſs, a crown of glory on the other hand,Jer. 6.16. and hereupon they ſet up their ſtaff, fully reſolving never to depart from the good old way wherein they have found reſt to their ſouls. Sincere Chriſtians take Chriſt and his wayes for better for worſe, for richer for poorer, in proſperity and adverſity, they reſolve to ſtand or fall, to ſuffer and reign, to live and die with him. When all outward incouragements from God ſhall fail, yet a ſincere Chriſtian will keep cloſs to his God, and cloſs to his duty.Heb. 3.17, 18. Although the fig-tree ſhall not bloſſom, neither ſhall fruit be in the vines, the labour of the Olive ſhall fail, and the fields ſhall yield no meat, the flock ſhall be cut off from the fold, and there ſhall be no herds in the ſtalls; yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalva…ion. When all neceſſary and delightful mercies fail, yet he will not fail in his duty; though God with-hold his bleſſings, yet he will not with-hold his ſervice in the want of a livelihood, he will be lively in his duty; when he hath nothing to ſubſiſt by, yet then he will live upon his God, and joy in his God, and keep cloſs to this God. Though war and want come, yet he will not be wanting in his duty. Mark, there are three things in a ſincere Chriſtian that will ſtrongly encline him to keep cloſs to the Lord, and cloſs to his wayes in the want of all outward incouragements,2 Cor. 5.14. Phil. 4.12, 13. Rom. 14.7, 8. and in the face of all outward diſcouragements: And the firſt is a forcible principle, Divine Love; the ſecond, is a mighty aid, the Spirit of God; and the third is a high aim; the Glory of God. Look, as Ruth kept cloſs to her mother in the want of all outward incouragements, and in the face of all outward diſcouragements; And RuthRuth 1.16, 17. ſaid, whither thou goeſt I will go, and where thou lodgeſt I will lodge; and nothing but death ſhall part thee and …. So ſaith a ſincere Chriſtian, I will take my lot with Chriſt were ever it falls; I will keep cloſs to the Lord, and cloſs to my duty in the want of all outward incouragements, and in the face of all outward diſcouragements. Though outward incouragements be ſometimes as a ſide wind, or as oyl, or as chariot wheels, means to move a Chriſtian to go on more ſweetly, eaſily and comfortably in the wayes of God, yet when this wind ſhall fail, and theſe chariot wheels ſhall be knockt off, a ſincere Chriſtian will keep cloſs to the Lord and his wayes. All this is come upon us; Pſal. 44.17, 18yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falſly in thy covenant; our heart is not turned back, neither have our ſteps declined from thy wayes. But what do they mean by ſaying, All this is come upon us? Why that you may ſee in the foregoing part of the Pſalm. Thou haſt caſt us off, and put us to ſhame, Verſ. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. The Jews ſold Chriſt for thirty peace, and the Romans ſold thirty of them for a penny, as Joſephus relates.and goeſt not forth with our armies; thou makeſt us turn back from the enemy, and they which hate us ſpoyl for themſelves; thou haſt given us like ſheep appointed for meat, and haſt ſcattered us among the heathen; thou ſelleſt thy people for nought, and doſt not increaſe thy wealth by their price; thou makeſt us a reproach to our neighbours, a ſcorn and deriſion to them that are round about us; thou makeſt us a by-word among the heathen, a ſhaking of the head among the people. Antiochus Epiphanes lookt upon the Jews Religion as ſuperſtition; his wrath and rage was exceeding great, both againſt duplicate page duplicate page the Jews, and againſt their Religion; he practiſed all manner of cruelty upon the miſerable Jews, but yet there was a remnant among them, who were faithful to the Lord, and to his Covenant, and to his Laws, and to his wayes, even to the death; though in the time of the Maccabees many revolted to Paganiſm, yet ſome maintained their conſtancy and integrity to the laſt. That is a great word of the Prophet Micah. Mich. 4.5.For all people will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. This abſolute and peremptory reſolution to be really the Lord's, and for ever the Lord's, is of the eſſence of true converſion. 'Tis not the world's flatteries that can bribe off a ſincere Chriſtian from the wayes of God; nor 'tis not the worlds frowns that can beat off a ſincere Chriſtian from the wayes of God: But an hypocrite will never, an hypocrite can never hold it out to the end; his ground-tackle will never hold when the ſtorm beats ſtrong upon him. An hypocrite is hot at hand, but ſoon tires and gives in. But,
Tenthly, No hypocrite ever makes it his buſineſs, his work to bring his heart into religious duties and ſervices; he never makes conſcience of bringing his heart into his work.Mat. 15 8.… Mark 7.6. An hypocrite is heartleſs in all he does, Pſal. 78.34. When he ſlew them, then they ſought him; and they returned and enquired early after God. The Fox when caught in a gin, looks pitifully, but it is only to get out. They worſhipped the Lord as the Indians do the devil, that he may do them no hurt.Ver. 36. Nevertheleſs, they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lyed unto him with their tongues. Ver. 37. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they ſtedf…ſt in his Covenant. All lip-labour is but loſt labour: When mens hearts are not in their devotion, their devotion is meer diſſimulation. Theſe hypocrites ſought God, and enquired early after God, but it was ſtill with old hearts, which are no hearts in the account of God: They made lip work of it, and head-work of it, but their hearts not being in their work, all was loſt, their ſeeking loſt, their enquiring loſt, their God loſt, their ſouls loſt, and eternity loſt, Hoſ. 7.14. And they have not cried unto m… with their hearts, when they howled upon their beds. When mens hearts are not in their prayers, all their praying is but as an hideous howling in the account of God.As dogs, bruit beaſts, and Indians do, when they are hunger-bit. The cry of the heart is the only cry that God likes, loves and looks for; he accepts of no cry, he delights in no cry, he rewards no cry but the cry of the heart. Hypocrites are heartleſs in their cryes, and therefore they cry and howl, and howl and cry, and all to no purpoſe; they cry and murmur, and they howl and repine; they cry and blaſpheme, and they howl and rebel; and therefore they meet with nothing from heaven but frowns, and blows, and diſappointments, Iſa. 29.13. Wherefore the Lord ſaid, for as much as this people draw neer me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me. Ezek. 33.31. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they ſit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they ſhew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetouſneſs. Though this people flocked to the Prophet in troops, as men and women do to places of pleaſure; and though they carried it before the Prophet, as if they were Saints, as if they were the people of God, as if they were affected with what they heard, as if they were reſolved to live out what the Prophet ſhould make out to them, yet their hearts run after their covetouſneſs. Though theſe hypocrites profeſt much love and kindneſs to the Prophet, and paid him home with ſmooth words, & ſeemed to be much affected, delighted, raviſhed and taken with his perſon, voice and doctrine; yet they made no conſcience of bringing their hearts into their duties. An hypocrite may look at ſome outward, eaſie, ordinary duties of Religion, but he never makes conſcience of bringing his heart into any duties of Religion. When did you ever ſee an hypocrite a ſearching of his heart, or ſitting in judgment upon the corruptions of his ſoul, or lamenting and mourning over the vileneſs and wickedneſs of his ſpirit? 'Tis only the ſincere Chriſtian that is affected, afflicted and wounded with the corruptions of his heart. When one told (bleſſed) Bradford, that he did all out of hypocriſie; becauſe he would have the people applaud him: He anſwered, It is true, the ſeeds of hypocriſie and vain glory are in thee and me too, and will be in us as long as we live in this world; but I thank God it is that I mourn under and ſtrive againſt. How ſeriouſly and deeply did good Hezekiah humble himſelf for the pride of his heart;2 Chron. 32.25 out of the eater came meat, out of his pride he gat humility.
O Sirs! A ſincere Chriſtian makes it his great buſineſs to get his heart into all his Religious duties and ſervices, to get his heart into every way and work of God.2 Chron. 17.6. Pſal. 86.12. Jehoſhaphats heart was lifted up in the wayes of the Lord. So David, I'le praiſe thee, 2 Chron. 22.9. Cant. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. It is reported, that when the Tyrant Trajane commanded Ignatius to be ript & unbowelled, they found Jeſus Chriſt written upon his heart in characters of gold; here was a heart worth gold. That's the golden Chriſtian indeed, whoſe heart is writ upon all his duties and ſervices.O Lord, with all my heart. And ſo Pſal. 119.7. I will praiſe thee with uprightneſs of heart. Ver. 10. With my whole heart have I ſought thee. So Jehoſhaphat he ſought the Lord with all his heart, Iſa. 26.8. The deſire of our ſoul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. Verſ. 9. With my ſoul have I deſired thee in the night; yea, with my ſpirit within me will I ſeek thee early. Lamen. 3.41. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. Rom. 1.9. For God is my witneſs, whom I ſerve with my ſpirit in the Goſpel of his Son. Pauls very ſpirit, his very ſoul was in his ſervice. Phil. 3.3. For we are the circumciſion which worſhip God in the ſpirit, and rejoyce in Chriſt Jeſus, and have no confidence in the fleſh. Rom. 7.22. I delight in the Law of God after the inward man. Ver. 25. With the mind I my ſelf ſerve the Law of God. A ſincere Chriſtian is alwayes beſt when his heart is in his work; and when he can't get his heart into his duties! Oh, how does he ſigh, and groan, and complain, and mourn at the foot of God? Lord! my tongue has been at work, and my head has been at work, and my parts have been at work, and my eyes and hands have been at work, but where has my heart been this day? Oh, it is and muſt be for a ſore and ſad lamentation, that I have had ſo little of my heart in that ſervice that I have tendered to thee! This is the daily language of an upright heart. But now all the work of an hypocrite, is to get his golden parts into his duties, and his ſilver tongue into his duties, and his nimble head into his duties; but he never makes conſcience of getting his heart into his duties. If any beaſts ſacrificed by Heathens (who ever lookt narrowly into the intrails) was found without heart, this was held ominous, and conſtrued as very prodigious to the perſon for whom it was offered, as it fell out in the caſe of Julian. Hypocrites are alwayes heartleſs in all the ſacrifices they offer to God, and this will one day prove ominous and prodigious to them. But,
Eleventhly, An hypocrite never performes religious duties from ſpiritual principles, nor in a ſpiritual manner. An hypocrite is never inclined, moved and carried to God, to Chriſt, to holy duties, by the power of a new and inward principle of grace working a ſutableneſs between his heart and the things of God. An hypocrite reſts himſelf ſatisfied in the meer external acts of Religion, though he never feels any thing of the power of Religion in his own ſoul. An hypocrite looks to his words in prayer, and to his voice in prayer, and to his geſtures in prayer, but he never looks to the frame of his heart in prayer. An hypocrites heart is never toucht with the words his tongue utters, an hypocrites ſoul is never divinely affected, delighted, or graciouſly warmed with any duty he performs. An hypocrites ſpiritual performances never flow from ſpiritual principles, nor from a heart univerſally ſanctified; though his works may be new, yet his heart remains old, his new practiſes alwayes ſpring from old principles; and this will prove the hypocrites bane,Vide Iſa. 1.10, to 16. as you may ſee in that, Iſa. 1.15. When you ſpread forth your hands to heaven, I will hide my eyes; and when you make many prayers, when you abound in duty, adding prayer to prayer (as the Hebrew runs) I will not hear, your hands are full of blood. Theſe were unſanctified ones; their practiſes were new,Mat. 6. chap. 23 Luke 18. but their hearts were old ſtill. The ſame you may ſee in the Scribes and Phariſees, who faſted, prayed, and gave alms, but their hearts were not changed, renewed, ſanctified, nor principled from above; and this proved their eternal bane. Nicodemus was a man of great note, name,John 3.4. No man can underſtand ſpiritual myſteries by carnal reaſon. and fame among the Phariſees, and he faſted, and prayed, and gave alms, and paid tythes, &c. and yet a meer ſtranger to the new birth; Regeneration was a paradox to him. How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the ſecond time into his mothers womb and be born? This great Doctor was ſo great a Dunce, that he underſtood no more of the doctrine of Regeneration, than a meer child does the darkeſt precepts of Aſtronomy.1 Cor. 2.14. Look, as water can riſe no higher than the ſpring from whence it came, ſo the natural man can riſe no higher than nature. An hypocrite may know much, and pray much, and hear much, and faſt much, and give much, and obey much, and all to no purpoſe, becauſe he never manages any thing he does in a right manner; he never carries on his work from inward principles of faith, fervency, life, love, delight, &c. Will the hypocrite delight himſelf in the Almighty? Anſ. No, he cannot delight himſelf in the Almighty.Job 27.10. Job ſpeaks of the hypocrite, as is evident, ver. 8. 1. To delight in God is one of the higheſt acts of grace; and how can an hypocrite put forth one of the higheſt acts of grace, who hath no grace? An hypocrite may know much of God, and talk much of God, and make a great profeſſion of God, and be verbally thankful to God; but he can never love God, nor truſt in God, nor delight in God, nor take up his reſt in God, &c. 2. An hypocrite knows not God, and how then can he delight in that God whom he does not know? An hypocrite has no inward, ſaving, transforming, experimental, affectionate, practical knowledge of God; and therefore he can never take any pleaſure or delight in God. 3. There is no ſutableneſs between an hypocrite and God, and how then can an hypocrite delight himſelf in God? There is the greateſt contrariety imaginable 'twixt God and an hypocrite. God is light, and the hypocrite is darkneſs;2 Cor. 6.15, 16 God is holineſs, and he filthineſs; God is righteouſneſs, and he unrighteouſneſs; God is fulneſs, and he emptineſs. Now what complacency can there be where there is ſuch an utter contrariety. 4. Every hypocrites heart is full of enmity againſt God, and how then can he delight himſelf in God? The carnal mind is enmity againſt God, Rom. 8.7. To delight in God, is Chriſtianorum propria virtus, ſaith Hierom.for it is not ſubject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. The beſt part of an hypocrite is not only averſe, but utterly adverſe to God and all goodneſs. The Eagle (ſaith the Philoſopher) hath a continual enmity with the Dragon and the Serpent. And ſo an hypocrites heart is ſtill full of enmity againſt the Lord; and therefore he can never delight himſelf in the Lord. 5. The ſtream, cream, and ſtrength of an hypocrites delight runs out to himſelf, and to this luſt or that, to this relation or that, to this creature-comfort or that, to this worldly enjoyment or that, or elſe to arts, parts, gifts, priviledges, &c. and therefore how can he delight himſelf in the Almighty? An Hypocrite alwayes terminates his delight in ſomething on this ſide God, Chriſt and Heaven. Look, as the Apricock-tree, though it leans againſt the wall, yet it is faſt rooted in the earth; ſo though an hypocrite may lean towards God, and towards Chriſt, and towards heaven, yet his delight is ſtill rooted faſt in one creature-comfort or another, &c.Mark 6. God nor Chriſt is never the adequate object of an hypocrites delight. An hypocrite is never principled to delight himſelf in a holy God, neither can he cordially, divinely, habitually, delight himſelf in holy duties. An hypocrite may reform many evil things, and he may do many good duties, and yet all this while it is only his practiſes, but not his heart or principles that are changed and altered. Mark, though an hypocrite hath nothing in him which is eſſential to a Chriſtian as a Chriſtian, yet he may be the compleat reſemblance of a Chriſtian in all thoſe things which are not eſſential to him. An hypocrite in all the externals of Religion, may be the compleat picture of a ſincere Chriſtian; but then if you look to his principles, and the manner of his managing of holy duties, there you will find him lame and defective, and as much unlike a ſincere Chriſtian,1 Sam. 19.13, 16. as ever Michal's Image was unlike to David; and this will prove the great crack, the great break-neck of hypocrites at laſt.
O Sirs! It is conſiderable, that outward motives and natural principles have carried many Heathens to do many great and glorious things in the world. Did not Siſera do as great things as Gideon? the difference did only lye here, that the great things which Gideon did, he did from more ſpiritual principles and raiſed conſiderations, than any Siſera was acted by.Heb. 11. And did not Diogenes trample under his feet the great and glorious things of this world, as well as Moſes? The difference did only ly in this, that Moſes trampled under his feet the gay and gallant things of this world, from inward gracious principles, viz. faith, love, &c. and from high and glorious conſiderations, viz. heaven, the glory of God, &c. whereas Diogenes did only trample upon them from poor low prineiples, and from meer outward, carnal, external conſiderations, The favour of men, the eye of men, the commendations of men, the applauſe of men, and a great name among men, were golden apples, great things among the Philoſophers. The application is eaſie.
Mark, A ſincere Chriſtian, he looks to the manner as well as to the matter of his duties, he acts and performs duties, not only from ſtrength of parts and acquired qualifications but from ſtrength of grace and infuſed habits;Rom. 11.24. Ezek. 36.25. Jer. 31.33. Rom. 3.5. 2 Cor. 5.19. 2 Pet. 1.4. Eph. 3.17. 2 Cor. 13.5. he acts from God and for God, he acts from a new heart, he acts from the Law written in his heart, he acts from the love of God ſhed abroad in his heart, he acts from the divine nature communicated to him, he acts from the ſpirits in-dwelling in his heart, he acts from the fear of God eſtabliſhing his heart. Theſe be the ſprings and principles of a ſincere Chriſtians ſpiritual life and actions; and where they act and bear rule, it is no wonder if ſuch motions and performances as the world may admire but not imitate. Sauls life (after his converſion) was a kind of conſtant miracle;2. Cor. 11. ſo much he did, and ſo much he ſuffered, and ſo much he denyed himſelf, that if he lived in theſe dayes, his life would be a miracle; but yet if we conſider the principles that he was acted by, the great wonder will be, not that he did ſo much, but that he did no more;Gal. 2.20. For, ſaith he, Chriſt liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the fleſh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himſelf for me. Fox Acts and Monum.It was a great ſaying of bleſſed Bradford, That he could not leave a duty till he had found communion with Chriſt in the duty, till he had brought his heart into a duty-frame; he could not leave confeſſion till he had found his heart touched, broken and humbled for ſin, nor petition till he had found his heart taken with the beauties of the things deſired, and carried out after them; nor could he leave thankſgiving till he had found his ſpirit enlarged and his ſoul quickned in the return of praiſes. And it was a great ſaying of another, that he could never be quiet till he found God in every duty,Nunquam abs te abſque te …ecedo Bern. Meditat. and enjoyed communion with God in every prayer. O Lord (ſaid he) I never come to thee but by thee, I never go from thee without thee. A ſincere Chriſtian that is taken with Chriſt above all, can't be ſatisfied nor contented with duties or ordinances, without he enjoyes Chriſt in them, who is the life, ſoul and ſubſtance of them. But now hypocrites they do duties, but all they do is from common principles, from natural principles, and from an unſanctified heart, and that marrs all. Remigius a Judge of Lorraigne tells this ſtory, That the Devil in thoſe parts did uſe to give money to Witches,Preſton's four Treatiſes. which did appear to be good coyn; it ſeemed to be currant at firſt, but being laid up a while, it then appeared to be nothing but leaves. Hypocrites they make a great profeſſion, and are much in the outward actions of Religion; they make a very fair ſhew, they hear, they read, they pray, they faſt, they ſing Pſalms, and they give alms: But theſe duties being not managed from a principle of divine love, nor from a principle of ſpiritual life, nor from a ſanctified frame of heart, turn all into leaves, they are all loſt, and the Authors of them caſt and undone for ever and ever. But,
Twelfthly, No hypocrite in the world loves the Word, or delights in the Word, or prizes the Word, as 'tis a holy Word, a ſpiritual Word, a beautiful Word, a pure Word,Luther ſaid he would not live in Paradiſe if he might without the Word, but with the Word he could live in hell it ſelf. a clean Word, Pſal. 119.140. Thy word is very pure, therefore thy ſervant loveth it. There are no hearts but men after God's own heart, that can love the Word, and delight in the Word, and embrace the Word for its holineſs, purity and ſpirituality; witneſs Paul, Rom. 7.12. Wherefore the Law is holy, and the Commandement holy, and juſt, and good. Well and what then? why ſaith he, Ver. 22. I delight in the Law of God after the inward man. But is this all? No ſaith he, Ver. 25. With the mind I my ſelf ſerve the Law of God. Holy Paul delights in the Law as holy, and ſerves the Law as holy, juſt, and good. A ſincere heart is the only heart that is taken with the Word for its ſpirituality, purity and heavenly beauty. None can joy in the Word as it is a holy Word, nor none can taſte any ſweetneſs in the Word as 'tis a pure Word, but ſincere Chriſtians, Pſal. 19.8, 9, 10. The ſtatutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart. Theſe ſeveral Titles, Law, Statutes, Teſtimony, Commandements, Judgments, are uſed promiſcuouſly for the whole Word of God, commonly diſtinguiſhed into Law and Goſpel.The commandements of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean (that is, the doctrine of the Word that teacheth the true fear of God) enduring for ever. The judgments of the L…rd are true and righteous altogether; more to be deſired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold, ſweeter alſo than honey and the honey comb; or as the Hebrew hath it, Sweeter than the droppings of honey combs. The Word of God, as it is a pure Word, a ſpiritual Word, a clean Word, a holy Word; ſo it rejoyces a ſincere heart, and ſo it is ſweeter than the very droppings of honey combs. The Word, as it is a pure Word, a holy Word, is more ſweet to a ſincere Chriſtian than thoſe drops which drop immediately and naturally without any force or art, which is counted the pureſt and ſweeteſt honey. There is no profit, nor pleaſure, nor joy to that which the purity of the World yields to a ſincere heart, Pſal. 119.48. My hands will I lift up to thy commandements which I have loved. Sometimes the lifting up of hands betokens admiration; when men are aſtoniſhed and raviſhed they lift up their hands. I will lift up my hands to thy commandements; that is, I will admire the goodneſs, ſpiritualneſs, holineſs, righteouſneſs, purity and excellency of thy commandements. Luther would not take all the world for one leaf of the Bible, he took ſuch ſweet pleaſure and excellent delight in it. Rabbi Chiia in the Jeruſalem Talmud ſayes, That in his account all the world is not of equal value with one word out of the Law.Mr. Fox. The Martyrs would have given a load of Hay for a few Chapters of the Bible in Engliſh: Some of them gave five marks for a Bible, they were ſo delighted and taken with the Word, as it was a holy Word, a pure Word, a ſpiritual Word. Dolphins (they ſay) love muſick; and ſo do ſincere Chriſtians love the muſick of the Word. It's upon record, that Mary ſpent the third part of her time in reading the Word, ſhe was ſo affected and delighted with the holineſs and purity of it. King Edward the ſixth being about to lay hold on ſomething that was above the reach of his ſhort arm, one that ſtood by eſpying a boſs'd Bible lying on the Table, offered to lay that under his feet to heighten him;Sir John Hayward in vita. but the good young King diſliked the motion, and inſtead of treading it under his feet, he laid it to his heart, to expreſs the joy and delight that he took in the holy Word.
But now ne…er did any hypocrite, ſince there was one in the world, ever love God as a holy God, or love his people as a holy people, or love his wayes as holy wayes, or love his word as a holy word. There is no hypocrite in the world that can truly ſay with David, Thy word is very pure, therefore thy ſervant loveth it. Saul could never ſay ſo, nor Ahab could never ſay ſo, nor Herod could never ſay ſo, nor Judas could never ſay ſo, nor Demas could never ſay ſo, nor Simon Magus could never ſay ſo, nor the Scribes and Phariſees could never ſay ſo, nor the Stony ground could never ſay ſo, nor Iſaiah's hypocrites could never ſay ſo. 'Tis true,Iſa. 58. ſome of theſe did rejoyce in the Word, and delight in the Word, but not as it was a holy Word, a pure Word, for then they would have rejoyced and delighted themſelves in the whole Word of God, every part of God's Word being pure and holy. Hypocrites are ſometimes affected and delighted with the Word, as it is dreſt up with fine high notions (which are but myſterious nothings) they are taken with the Word as it is cloathed with arts, parts, and elegancy of phraſe; they are pleaſed with the Word as it is apparelled with a ſpruce wit, or with ſilken expreſſions, or with ſome delicate elocution, Ezek. 33.32. So thou art to them as a very lovely ſong, of one that hath a pleaſant voice, and can play well on an inſtrument; or as the Hebrew may be read, Thou art as one that breaks jeſts. Theſe hypocrites lookt upon the ſolemnity and Majeſty of the Word but as a dry jeſt; the Prophet being eloquent, and having a pleaſing delivery, they were much taken with it, and it was as ſweet and delightful to them as a fit of muſick; but they were not at all taken or delighted with the ſpirituality, purity and holineſs of the Word, as is evident in ver. 31. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they ſit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they ſhew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetouſneſs. It was a very ſmart reproof of Chryſoſtom Chryſoſt.to his Hearers; This is that (ſaith he) which is like to undo your ſouls, you hear your Miniſters as ſo many minſtrels to pleaſe the ear, not to pierce the conſcience. Auguſtin confeſſeth, that the delight which he took before his converſion in Saint Ambroſes Sermons, was more for the eloquence of the words, than the ſubſtance of the matter. Hypocrites are taken more with the wit, eloquence of ſpeech, action, quickneſs of fancy, ſmoothneſs of ſtile, neatneſs of expreſſion, and rareneſs of notion, than they are with the ſpirituality, purity and holineſs of the Word, which they either hear or read. Theſe hypocrites are like thoſe children, who are more taken with the fine flowers that are ſtrewed about the diſh, than they are with the meat that is in the diſh, and that are more taken with the red weeds and blew bottles that grow in the field, than they are with the good corn that grows there. But now, look as the prudent Farmer is taken more with a few handfuls of ſound corn, than he is with all the gay weeds that be in the field; ſo a ſincere Chriſtian is more taken with a few ſound truths in a Sermon, than he is taken with all the ſtrong lines, and high ſtrains and flouriſhes of wit; or than he is taken with ſome new coyned phraſes, or ſome quaint expreſſions, or ſome ſeraphical notions, with which a Sermon may be deckt or dreſt up. Some are taken with the Word as the profeſſion of it brings in cuſtomers into their Shops, and keeps up their credits in the world; others are taken with the Word, as it ſeems to tickle their ears and pleaſe their fancies: Some are affected with Sermons, becauſe of the elegancy of the ſtile, delicacy of the words, ſmoothneſs of the language, and gracefulneſs of the delivery. And theſe deal by Sermons as many do by their Noſegays that are made up of many pickt (ſweet) flowers, who after they have ſmelt to them a while, caſt them into a corner, and never mind them more; ſo theſe after they have commended a Sermon, after they have highly applauded a Sermon, they caſt away the Sermon, they ſmell to the Sermon (if I may ſo ſpeak) and ſay it is ſweet, it is ſweet, and preſently they throw it by as a Noſegay that is withered, and of no further uſe. But now a ſincere heart ſavours the Word, and reliſhes the Word, and is affected and taken with the Word, as it is a holy Word, a ſpiritual Word, a pure Word, which the moſt refined hypocrite under heaven never was affected or taken with, nor can be, whilſt hypocriſie keeps the throne in his ſoul. But,
Thirteenthly and laſtly, An hypocrite can't endure to be tryed, and ſearcht, and laid open; an hypocrite hates the light, and had rather go to hell in the dark, than come to be weighed in the ballance of the Sanctuary.John 3.20. A ſoul-ſearching Miniſtry is to an hypocrite a tormenting Miniſtry, that's no man for his money that will never let his conſcience alone; he knows he is like a velvet ſaddle, velvet without and ſtraw within; he knows he is like a whited ſupulcher,Mat. 23.27, 28. glorious without, and dead bones within; and therefore his heart riſes and ſwells againſt ſuch a man, and ſuch a Miniſtry, that is all for the anatomizing and laying of him open to himſelf, and to the world. But now look, as pure gold fears neither fire nor furnace, neither teſt nor touchſtone, neither one ballance nor another; ſo a ſincere heart dares venture it ſelf upon tryal, yea upon the very tryal of God himſelf, Pſal. 139.23. Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts. A ſincere Chriſtian prayes his friends to ſearch him, and he prayes ſoul-ſearching Miniſters to ſearch him; but above all, he begs hard of God to ſearch him;See Job 31.5, 6 Search me, O God. The Hebrew word foreign is Imperat Kal; he commands God to ſearch him. The original word ſignifies a ſtrict, curious, diligent ſearch. A ſincere Chriſtian is very willing and deſirous that God ſhould throughly ſearch him, that God ſhould ſearch into every corner and cranny of his heart, Pſal. 26.2. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me, try my reins and my heart. Every word here has its weight; Examine me, O Lord. The Hebrew word foreign ſignifi…s to melt, and ſo to try, which makes the moſt intrinſecal and e…act diſcovery. O Lord, let my heart and reins be melted, that it may be known what metal they are made of, whether gold or tin; Prove me. The Hebrew word foreign ſignifies to view, as when a man gets upon ſome high Tower or Hill to ſee all from thence. Mount aloft, O Lord, take the high Tower, take the Hill, that thou mayeſt ſee what is in me; try me and know my thoughts. The Hebrew word foreign is from foreign Naſah, which properly ſignifies to take away, and is applied to Abrahams taking away of his ſon.Gen. 22.1. Lord, ſaith the Prophet, if upon ſearching and examining of me, thou ſhalt find any ſin, any creature, any comfort, any enjoyment, that lyes in thy room, take it away, that thou mayeſt be all in all to me. A ſincere Chriſtian knows that God never brings a pair of ſcales to weigh his graces, but only a touch-ſtone to try the truth of his graces; he knows if his gold, his grace, be true,Mat. 12.20. though it be never ſo little, it will paſs for currant with God, and therefore he is free to venture upon the cloſſeſt ſearch of God.A falſe evidence is the fruit of a ſlight and ſuperficial ſearch. Now, look as Bankrupts care not for caſting up their accounts, becauſe they know all is naught, very naught, yea ſtark naught with them: So hypocrites, they care not to come to the tryal, to the teſt, becauſe they know all is naught, yea worſe than naught with them; they have no mind to caſt up their ſpiritual eſtates, becauſe at the foot of the account they muſt be put to read their neck verſe, undone, undone: And therefore, as old deformed women cannot endure to look into the looking-glaſs, leſt their wrinckles and deformity ſhould be diſcovered; ſo hypocrites cannot endure to look into the glaſs of the Goſpel, leſt their deformities, impieties and wickedneſſes ſhould be diſcovered and detected. I have read of the Elephant, how unwilling he is to go into the water; but when he is forced into it, he puddles it, leſt by the cleerneſs of the ſtream he ſhould diſcern his own deformity: So hypocrites, they are very unwilling to look into their own hearts, or into the cleer ſtreams of Scriptures, leſt their ſouls deformity and uglineſs ſhould appear to their own terror and amazement. O Sirs! look, as it is a hopeful evidence that the Clyents cauſe is good, when he is ready and willing to enter upon a tryal; and as it is a hopeful ſign that a man's gold is true gold, when he is willing to bring it to the touchſtone; and that a man thrives when he is willing to caſt up his Books: So it is a hopeful evidence that a Chriſtian is ſincere with God, when he is ready and willing to venture upon the tryal of God,Gal. 6.4, 5. when he is willing to caſt up his Books, his accounts, that he may ſee what he is worth for another world. Auguſtin Aug. in Pſal. 33. Concl. 2.ſpeaks of an acute perſon, who was wont to ſay that he prized that little time which he conſtantly ſet apart every d…y for the examination of his conſcience, far more than all the other part of the day which he ſpent in his voluminous controverſies. Of all the duties of Religion an hypocrite dreads moſt that of ſelf-examination, and that of venturing himſelf upon the ſearch and tryal of God. Well, for a cloſe, Though an hypocrite m…y deceive all the world,Job 34.21, 22. 2 Chron. 16 9. Prov. 5.21. & 15.3. Ambroſ. offic. l. 1 c. 14. like that counterfeit Alexander in Joſephus his ſtory, yet Auguſtus will not be deceived; the great God will not be deceived, for his eyes are quick and piercing into all things, perſons and places. Look, as the eyes of a well drawn picture are faſtned on thee which way ſoever thou turneſt; ſo are the eyes of the Lord faſtned on thee, O hypocrite, which way ſoever thou turneſt. 'Twas a worthy ſaying of one, If thou canſt not hide thy ſelf from the Sun, which is God's Miniſter of light, how impoſſible will it be to hide thy ſelf from him whoſe eyes are ten thouſand times brighter than the Sun? The eye of God many times is very terrible to an hypocrite, which makes him very ſhie of venturing upon the tryal of God: No hypocrite ſince the world ſtood, did ever love or delight to be ſearcht and tried by God. And thus I have ſhewed you the ſeveral rounds or ſteps in Jacob's Ladder, which no hypocrite under heaven can (whilſt he remains an hypocrite) climb up to. And ſo much for this Chapter.