Divine Characters in Two Parts, Part 1 · Chapter 37
CHAP. XXXVII. The Concluſion.
WE have ſpoken of ſeveral ſorts of hypocrites, and marks of hyprocriſie. What remaineth, but to make an end? And what fitter end, than to ſee their end? The Holy Ghoſt gathereth,oJob 8.13 all into a ſhort ſumme, the hypocrites hope ſhall periſh (a): oJob 8.13importing, that even the hypocrite hath ſome hope; but ſuch, as ſhall periſh, and himſelf with it. The wicked, ſaith Solomon, worketh a deceitful work bProv. 11.18. He is not altogether idle; but, his work deceiveth him. He relieth on deceitful grounds: and is carried by deceitful hopes. He beleeveth not that he erreth by vanity. He that is moſt deceived, is moſt apt to truſt that moſt which will deceive him more. Therefore vanity ſhall be his recompence cJob 15.31. The vanity of miſery ſhall overtake all thoſe who have deceived themſelves with the vanity of ſin.
The hypocrites hope is compared to the Spiders web dJob 8.14: which is very curious, but ſlender: fitter to deceive others, than to benefit himſelf. The thread is very fine, but weak. His web ſhall not become garments, neither ſhall he cover himſelf (ſo, as to ſecure himſelf) with his works: becauſe his work, at beſt, is but a work of iniquity eIſa. 59.6. It is all woven out of his own bowels: that is, out of his own conceit and imagination. The Workman and his Workmanſhip are all of one: for the hypocrites hope is not from above, as every good and perfect gift is fJam. 1.17; but, of his own making. Take notice of but ſome part of his Workmanſhip, whereby it is eaſie to judge of the reſt. I ſhall not accurately obſerve the former method in ranging of hypocrites, but touch upon ſome few of thoſe which I next meet with in my way.
He hopeth that, whatever men talk, the Lord will neither do good, neither will he do evil gZeph. 1.1.2; that there is neither heaven nor hell; perhaps neither God nor devil: no ſuch matter as a day of judgment: that Preachers take a pride to skare men, (for it is impoſſible he ſhould do as he doth, if he otherwiſe believed). This is the hope of the Profane Hypocrite, profane in the higheſt degree, and frozen in the dregs of ſin. But, he ſhall finde that, verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth; that ſo ſtrangely findeth out, and puniſheth the moſt ſecret ſinnes of hypocrites, making their own ſinne to finde them out hNum. 32 23.
He hopeth, if there be a Judgment, yet that the God of mercy will be more merciful, than to caſt a man, yea, a world of men, away everlaſtingly, for ſmall matters. God is a friend to mankinde, and therefore will not be an implacable enemie to good-fellowes that mean God no harme, although they be a little merry; but will rather bear with every man in his humour: with the young man in his intemperance, with the old man in his grippleneſſe, with the rich man in his idleneſſe, with the poor man in his thieviſhneſſe, &c. Every ſinner is willing to imagine that God is like him iPſal. 50.21; though he be an enemy to the ſins of others. This is the hope of the Preſumptuous Hypocrite, (as indeed every hypocrite is preſumptuous) that ſaith in his heart, I ſhall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to adde drunkenneſſe to thirst kDeut. 29.19. But, he ſhall finde that God will wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy ſcalp of ſuch an one as goeth on still in his treſpaſſe… lPſal. 68 21: that the Lord will not be merciful unto him, that thus abuſeth mercy; but that the anger of the Lord, and his jealouſie ſhall ſmoke againſt ſuch a man, and that all the curſes that are written in his book ſhall lie upon him mDeut. 29.20; and, he ſhall know whoſe words ſhall ſtand, Gods, or his nJer. 44.28.
He hopeth that God will not (for ſhame) condemn one that all men ſpeak well of. And, as for men, let him alone, as in life, ſo in death, to be aknown of nothing that may tend to his diſcredit. He will bite all in, when he comes to die, ſave only in the general he will confeſſe he is a very great ſinner (but you ſhall never heare him to confeſſe wherein): and ſo he will ſteal a death; yea, and a damnation too, (that his neighbours at preſent ſhall not know of:) becauſe he will not give glory to God by confeſſing his ſins as God requireth: he profeſſeth repentance without repenting; and confeſſion without confeſſing. This is the hope of the plauſible or popu…ar hypocrite. But he ſhall finde that there is a woe denounced by the Lord of life againſt all thoſe, of whom all men ſpeak well oLuke 16.26; becauſe that which is highly esteemed amongſt men (as namely his ſinful compliance with them in all things) is abomination in the ſight of God pLuke 16.15: that, his own evil words may condemn himqMat. 12.37; but, the good words of others ſhall never ſave him.
He hopeth he hath done God no wrong. Haply he hath neglected ſome works of mercy, or juſtice towards men: but, what is Chriſt the worſe for that? Had Chriſt been on earth, and wanted any thing, he ſhould not have been unſupplied: he would have ſtript himſelf to his ſhirt rather than Chriſt ſhould have wanted. Therefore he cannot believe that ever he ſhall be called to account for neglecting Chriſt, becauſe he hath perhaps not done ſo much for a company of poor neggarly peeviſh men, that let him do what he will for them, are never thank…ul, never contented. But, as for Chriſt, he dares (at leaſt he thinks he dares) to appeal to himſelf, Lord, when ſaw I thee an hungred, or a thirſt, or a stranger, or naked, or ſick, or in priſon, and did not minister unto thee rMat. 25.44? This is the hope of the religious hypocrite, that pretending ſome care of the firſt Table, neglecteth the ſecond. But he ſhall finde that what is omitted towards man, eſpecially towards Chriſts own ſheep, is detracted from Chriſt, who will give him this anſwer, Verily in as much as thou didſt it not to one of the leaſt of theſe, thou didſt it not to me sVer. 45. Chriſt will before all the world, declare, and adjudge himſelf to be neglected, where the meaneſt member of his body is not ſupplied: and that he is of a murtherous mind who thinks much to be his brothers Keeper tGen. 49. If he forbear to deliver them (when it is in his power) that are (without cauſe) drawn unto death, and thoſe that are ready to be ſlain, and then, think it enough, to ſay, behold, I knew it not: doth not he that pondereth the heart, conſider it? and he that keepeth thy ſoule, doth not he know it? and ſhall not he render to every man according to his works uPro. 24.11, 12? He that keepeth him, looketh he ſhould not only not kill, but preſerve others within his power.
He hopeth to be ſaved for his good meaning: for though he hath not been ſo careful as he ſhould to know and ſerve God ſo exactly as he ought; yet he means as well, and loves God as well as the beſt of them all; and though he know not ſo much as others, yet he hath as good an heart to God, as they that make more ſhew of learning and knowledge: therefore hopeth God will not puniſh him for his ignorance, and for want of that knowledge which he never gave him. He was never book-learned; nor did his friends ever bring him up unto it. This is the hope of the ignorant hypocrite.
But he ſhall finde that ignorance is no ſmall ſin. For, when the Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſhall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, he ſhall take vengeance on them that know not God w2 Theſ. 1.7, 8, and that where he meets with a people of no underſtanding, he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them, will ſhew them no favour xIſa. 27.11. And he ſhall be made to know, that even invincible ignorance is a branch, (or fruit at leaſt) of original ſin. For God made man righteous yEccl. 7.29, therefore every way perfect in body and minde, that he might do righteous things to God and himſelf, as well as to others. How much more then ſhall ignorance affected, with contempt of the meanes; yea, contracted and forced as it were upon himſelf, by cauſing the light of nature that is in him, even after the fall, to become darkneſſe; winking with his eye, that he may not ſee the light that ſhineth round about himzMat. 13.15, be laid to his charge, and he, condemned for it!
He hopeth to be ſaved for his juſt dealing. He wrongeth no man, doth as he would be done by; payeth every man his own; rendreth to every man his due; taketh no forfeitures; extorts not from any man; but reſteth contented with what the Law alloweth, or awardeth. This is the hope of the Moral, and Civil Hypocrites, who think they have a better title to Heaven by their fair and juſt carriage, than the reſt of their neighbours that cannot ſhew ſo much honeſt dealing, although perhaps they may make a greater ſhew in outward Profeſſion.
But he ſhall finde that the Law of God is not divided; and that God will not be ſerved by halves, nor come to a compoſition with the hypocrite, ſo as to diſpenſe with his piety and duty to God, on condition he be juſt to men: and that juſtice, without piety hath no reward: for as much as the Lord requireth of him not only to do justly, and to love mercy, but to walk humbly with his God aMic 6.8: that there is not only no high place in heaven, but not ſo much as any entrance thither for ſuch as refuſe, ſleight, or wilfully neglect any part of obedience to any part of Gods revealed WillbMat. 7.21; yea, though it were ſuch a perſonal injunction as that to the young man, that made ſhew of a deſire to do more than all, Go ſell that thou haſt, and give it to the poor cMat. 19.21; if God call him to it. The Phariſee paid not only debts, but tyths even of the ſmalleſt commoditiesdLuke 18.12: yet, he that will enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, muſt exceed the righteouſneſſe of the Scribes and Phariſees eMat. 5.20. For whoſoever ſhall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all fJam. 1.10: becauſe, had he made conſcience of any, he would have kept all with like care that he kept ſome.
He hopeth that every man may be ſaved in that Religion which he profeſſeth, be it what it will, (not excluding an honeſt heathen): And, that God will not ſtand much upon the forme of Worſhip, ſo his Deity and Power be acknowledged. This is the hope of the Superſtitious Hypocrite, who maketh falſhood his refuge, and is hid under vanity gIſa. 28.15. But he ſhall finde, that they that are without Christ, are without God in the world: and therefore without hope hEph. 2.12of the world to come. That as there is but one Mediatour between God and man, the man Chriſt Jeſus i1 Tim. 2.5; neither is there ſalvatinn in any other: for there is no other name under Heaven, given among men, whereby they muſt be ſaved kAct. 4.12.
He hopeth that Chriſt will take acquaintance of them who have prophecied, and done him good ſervice in his Church, and perhaps have wrought miracles in his Name lMat. 7.22, that he will not refuſe to own ſuch as have been hearers of his Word, and Communicants mLuke 13.26, eſpecially if they have received the Sacrament faſting, and upon a good-friday, or the like, in ſuch or ſuch an habit, with ſuch and ſuch geſtures of devotion (perhaps of ſuperſtition): or have received it monethly, weekly, with rudeneſſe enough under pretence of keeping cloſe to Chriſts Inſtitution (albeit they never truly knew, nor care to be informed what that was): if they be Profeſſors, who have ſaid Lord, Lord, not Lady, Lady, as Papiſts do. Such are the Hopes of the Preaching, the Hearing, the Praying Hypocrites. But ſuch ſhall find the door ſhut upon them, and receive one common anſwer, I tell you, I know not whence ye are. Depart from me all ye workers of iniquity nVer. 27. They that pretend to know and ſerve Chriſt; but, only in their own way, are not unknown to him; but, he will never owne them, but lead them out with the workers of iniquity oPſal. 125.5.
He hopeth he hath ſomewhat to ſay, and to ſhew for himſelf, at leaſt a Talent in a Napkin pLuke 19.20, or hidden in the earth qMat. 25.18, where he would be ſure not to loſe it, but to finde it whenever it ſhall be called for. Although he preach not ſo often, and ſo profitably as ſome others that are (in his account) homines trium literarum, not worthy to carry his books, yet he hath more learning than twenty of them, by his own telling. And if he be found fault withal, for doing little or nothing. He pleads for himſelf, let me alone with my little, as I do you with your much. I am none of the worſt: I ſhould know what I have to do better than you: and hope to have a place in heaven, as well as you. At leaſt that which I do not now, may be done hereaf er, and, that which I have not now, may come hereafter: repentance, or what elſe I need. Such are the hopes of the Stinted, and Repenting, or rather Intending Hypocrite.
But ſuch ſhall finde that the Lord looketh not only for his Principal, but for increaſe and advantagerLuke 19.23: that he that letteth his ſtock lie ſtill, maketh his Lord a loſer, becauſe he hath not emproved that, by which he might have been a gainer: that as many barren Chriſtians go to hell, as others that abound in wickedneſſe; that Chriſt will reckon not only with thoſe that have done evil, but with thoſe that have done no good, and that it will not ſuffice them to plead, we have lived harmleſſely, done no man wrong, never extorted, never committed adultery sLuke 18.12&c. and that others, who have done all theſe wickedneſſes, and repented, ſhal fare better▪ and that Publicans and Harlots ſhall go into the Kingdom before them tMat. 21.31: that he that groweth not, that bettereth not in grace, that beareth not much fruit, glor…fieth not God, neither can be Chriſts diſcipleuJohn 15.8: and that he that promiſeth himſelf repentance without Gods warrant, muſt be his own pay-Maſter, and with Eſau, ſhall find himſelf rejected and no place for repentance will be found in him that hath been delayed and ſleighted by the h…pocrite, to give him repentance afterwards, or the bleſſing deſired▪ though he ſeek it with tears wHeb. 12.17.
Theſe, and many other …uch like are the Cob-webs which theſe Spiders frame for themſelves. But when the beſome of deſtruction cometh, it will eaſily ſweep down all at oncexIſa. 14.23. The hypocrite is a ruſh growing in the mire yJob 8.11: for the time he ſtandeth up like a ſpear; But when the mire is dried up and gone, it turneth into a ſtraw. He ſhall not come before God zJob 13 16. Not that he ſhall not appear at his Judgment-ſeata2 Cor. 5.10; but that he ſhall not ſtand in the judgment bP…al. 1.5, as one acquitted, as he ſheep on the right hand; but, as the goats, on the left. God will not bid him welcom, but reprove him and ſet his ſins in order before his eyes, and then tear him in pieces, and there ſhall be none to deliver cPſ. 50.21, 22.
His branch ſhall not be green dJob 15.32, but ſhall be cut off before his day. His eyes ſhall fail, his refuge ſhall periſh, and his hope ſhall be ſorrow of minde even as the giving up of the Ghoſt eJob 11 20. As the whirlwind paſſeth away, ſo is the wicked no more fProv. 10.25. When he dieth his hope periſheth gProv. 11.7.For what is the hope of the hypocrite t…ough he hath gain d, (and made as good a mercate, and as much advantage of his hypocriſie in the things of the word as h s heart could wiſh) when God ſhall take away his ſoul? Will God hear his cry, when trouble cometh upon himhJob 27.7, 8? He fadeth away in his ways, as the graſſe, or flower; So ſoon as the Sun is riſen upon it with a burning heat iJam. 1.11He is as the chaffe kP…al. 1.4, not in a calme, but before the winde in a storme. His light ſhall not only be put out, but i… ſhall go out, like the ſnuffe of a candle lProv. 24.20, which leaves not only darkneſſe, but a ſt…nk behinde it.
There is no hypocrite, never ſo wicked, but hath one v…in hope or other, to keep him from judging t uly, and redreſſing ſeaſonably his dangerous eſtate. While there is hope, he ſeeth no danger in his courſe. When once he is ſenſible of the danger, the remedy comes too late: His hope turnes into deſperation; his confidence, into confuſion. The ſnow at fi…ſt makes a faire ſhew, but when it is melted it maketh dangerous floods: ſo the Profeſſion of hypocrites for awhile is very pleaſing to behold, (till the hypocriſie be diſcovered) but it ends in ſhame to him, and in grief to others.
It is a fooliſh reſolution to ſay; I hope well: and, as fooliſh a ground for any man to lay, Hope well, and have well. There are more hopes, and hopers in hell, than in heaven. None but an hypocrite will be offended at the taking away theſe falſe hopes and comforts. Better the hope periſh, and the man ſafe, than both be ſwept away together into perdition. It is but an exchange of hopes whereto he is exhorted: and all this labour is ſpent to perſwade him to be content to take true and certain hopes for theſe ſtaves of reed, that will both break, and pierce him that leaneth on them. It is not the ſtrength of the man, but the weakneſſe of the building, and the weight of ſin that maketh the hypocrite like Sampſon: for, leaning upon the houſe of his own building, he bringeth it down upon his owne head. It is an houſe to deſtroy him, not to ſave him: a Shambles, not a Sanctuary.
When we ſay, hope well, and have well, the firſt well, muſt not be a Noune, but an Adverb: for, as one ſaith well, there is much divinity in Adverbs. To hope for good is common to all that wiſh well to themſelves. But, to hope in a good manner, diſtinguiſheth a childe of God from an Hypocrite. I will truſt in God, ſaith Job, though he ſlay me: but, I will reprove mine own wayes before him: ſo ſhall he be my ſalvation: for the hypocrite ſhall not come before him mJob 13.15, 16. He only can boldly ſay, I have hoped for thy ſalvation, O Lord, that can truly ſay, I have done thy Commandments nPſ. 119.166. He alone that unfeinedly denieth ungodlineſſe and worldly luſts, and liveth ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world, may indeed look for (and not be diſappointed of) that bleſſed hope and glorious appearance of the Great God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt oTit. 2.12, 13..
As for thoſe that will needs comfort themſelves (whether God will or not) with vain hopes, let every one of them know that though in his conceit, he mount up to heaven, and his head reacheth unto the clouds, yet he ſhall periſh for ever like his owne dung pJob 20.6, 7.qJob 15.20, 21, 23 He is as one that travelleth with childe: for he travelleth with pain all his dayes, after he is once detected. A dreadful ſound is in his eares; in his proſperity the deſtroyer ſhall come upon him: and he knoweth that the day of darkneſſe is ready at his hand. Early or late, he ſhall acknowledge himſelf to be of all men moſt miſerable. For as his ſin is double, ſo is his portion of wrath encreaſed. He ſhovels up wrath upon himſelf by heaps rJob 36.13. He is the chief Tenant in hell: and all other ſinners in compariſon of him, are but Underlings and Inmates. Hell is the hypocrites portion, and other ſinners ſhall have theirs with himsMat. 24.51.
Wherefore let all carefully purge this Colloquintida out of the pot. Let true fear exp…l falſe hopes, that there may be place for found comfort. Take heed thine own heart deceive thee nottDeut. 11.16: there is no Impoſtor or Jugler like to thatuJer. 17.9. Nothing is ſo dangerous as groundleſſe hope; no, not deſpaire. For, that ſerves to awaken men, whereas falſe hope lulls them aſleep. He that is blinde, is ſooner in the pit, than he that is at the brink, and ſees. Bleſſed is the man that feareth always wProv. 28.14: for, true feare, ends in ſaving hope. But wo be unto him that vainly hopeth, for ſuch hope endeth in feare. The evil which is not feared ſhall fall on the wicked; and when they begin to feare it, it ſhall be unavoidable. But he that is not deceived with ſuch hopes ſhall not be ſurprized with ſuch fears.
He whoſe ſpirit is free from guile, his hope ſhall never make him aſhamed. It is an hope full of immortality, and ſhall make him an everlaſting foundation xProv. 10.25. One and the ſame day ſhall verifie both the one and the other. That which being yet not ſeen, yet beleeved and hoped for, makes him to rejoyce with joy unſpeakable and full of gloryy1 Pet. 1.8.: what then ſhall be the joy of the fruition of the hope laid up for him in heaven zCol. 1.5.!
Even ſo, do well, O Lord, unto thoſe that be good, and to them that be upright in their hearts. But, as for ſuch as turne aſide to their crooked wayes, them, Lord, lead forth with the workers of iniquity; but let peace be upon Iſrael *Pſal. 125.4, 5. Amen.
Mr Crook on the Hypocrite.
THE SECOND PART. Differencing The truly Godly at his worſt, in the blackeſt weeds of dayly infirmities Eclipſing ſaving Grace, From The Reigning Sinnes of the Unregenerate that pretend unto that Godlineſſe they never had.
By that late burning and ſhining Lamp, Maſter Samuel Crook, B. D. late Paſtor of Wrington in Somerſet. Who being dead, yet ſpeaketh.
CANT. 1.5.
I am black, but comely.
By C. B. and W. G.
LONDON, Printed for Adoniram Byfeild at the three Bibles in Corn-hill, next dore to Popes-head-ally. 1658.