Expositions Upon Matthew 1-10, Treatise · Chapter 10 · Section 8
Firſt Uſe for information.
1 For information, 1 See how thou becomes righteous, not by working but by believing, Acts 13.38, 39. Rom. 3 22. Gal. 2.16. Rom. 4.4, 5. A man may work long enough, and yet in fine work himſelf into hell, if he have not faith in Chriſt. Paul had a righteouſneſs even to blameleſneſs, Phil. 3.6. before converſion, after converſion he diſclaims it, v. 7. The Law of works ſaith, Do what I command; the Law of faith, Give what thou commands. Auguſt. The commands are ſweet when we underſtand them, not onelyonly in books but in the wounds of a moſt ſweet Savior. Luth. Tom. 1. ad Stanpic. If a good life have not been led, do not therefore deſpair; if a good life have been led, do not therefore hope; that is, as to juſtification.
2 See the danger of thouſands of ignorant perſons, who, if you ask them how they hope to be ſaved, they will tell you by their good prayers, and well meanings, and becauſe they deal juſtly. Many faſt, pray, deny themſelves, mourn, deal juſtly, that God may ſpeak peace to their ſpirits; this is the righteouſneſs of the Law, this is a working for life not from life, ſo they refrain from evil that they may not be under the curſe. In order to ſatisfaction of Divine juſtice there muſt be a full righteouſneſs, of an infinite perſon, theſe two things muſt be, becauſe an infinite Majeſty is offended, this can be no other then the righteouſneſs of God in Chriſt.
Obj. But though the works we do in our natural ſtate do not make us righteous, yet the works of our regenerate eſtate do, for they are the works of Chriſt which he works in us by his Word and Spirit.
Anſw. The perſonal works of Chriſt in making atonement for our ſins juſtifie us, 1 Pet. 2.24. but for his other virtual works they do not juſtifie us.
2 The works of regenerate men are ſo wrought by Chriſt that they are alſo wrought by us, Rom. 8.13. If ye mortifie the deeds of the body by the Spirit, ye ſhall live. Hence becauſe of our imperfection they cannot be perfect.
3 Regenerate men in their beſt actions ſtand need of ſparing. When Nehemiah had deſired the Lord to remember his kindneſſes he had done for the houſe of the Lord, and the offices thereof, Neh. 13.14. and for the conſecration of the Sabbath, he concludes, Remember mee, O my God, concerning this alſo, and ſpare me according to the multitude of thy mercy. See, he begs ſparing from God in his beſt ſervices. Pſal. 143.2. Enter not into judgement with thy Servant. The very ſervants of God cannot ſtand in judgement by their own righteouſneſs.
4 Paul after converſion deſires to be found, Having Chriſts righteouſneſs upon him and not his own at the day of judgement, Phil. 3.9.
The dangers of thoſe who ſeek to be righteous by their own righteouſneſs, are,
1 So long as thou ſtabliſhes thy own righteouſneſs thou wilt not ſubmit to Chriſts righteouſneſs, Rom. 10.3, 4. They being ignorant of Gods righteouſneſs, and going about to ſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, have not ſubmitted themſelves to the righteouſneſs of God. In the world the Law and works are ſo to be urged, as if there were no promiſe, but Chriſtians are ſo to be taught to live, as if there were no Law. Luth. By grace we are made heirs: the works which follow do not make us heirs or ſons, but are done of heirs and ſons to teſtifie thankſgiving and obedience. Luth. in Pſal. 130. A perſon will not ſeek out for a Phiſician till he feel himſelf ſick, Matth. 9.13. If thou putteſt thy deliverance from ſin and wrath upon the performance of that righteouſneſs the Law commands as any cauſe thereof, thou makes thine own righteouſneſs as great an idol as can be, becauſe thou makes thy righteouſneſs to be that which Gods righteouſneſs onelyonly is, and as thy righteouſneſs will ſpeak thou wilt have peace or bitterneſs, this is in effect to make our own righteouſneſs our Mediator.
Suppoſe your righteouſneſs were a fullfilling of the whole Law, one point excepted, that very failing makes you guilty of the breach of all the reſt, and when men ſtand guilty before God. Jam. 2.10.11. ſhall they plead that which is guilty to finde acceptation? In the buſineſs of juſtification no man can enough remove the Law out of his ſight and behold the promiſe alone, Luth. Tom. 4.103. Bernard and other Doctors when they are out of diſputation, teach Chriſt purely, but when they go into the field of the Law, they ſo diſpute as if there were no Chriſt at all. Luth. in Pſalm 130.
The beſt righteouſneſs we ever performed is not able as a deſerving cauſe to turn away the leaſt ſin or wrath, or to procure the leaſt favour from God, Gen. 32.10. I am leſs then the leaſt of thy mercies, ſaid Jacob, onelyonly God having promiſed theſe mercies of his free grace, we are in the uſe of means to ſeek, hope for, and expect a conveyance of them.
Queſt. But doth not our righteouſneſs move and melt the Lord, and prevail with him to do this or that good for his people?
Anſw. No, It was not Hezekiahs prayers and tears, Cornelius his prayers and alms, Daniel his prayer and faſting, Dan. 9.17. That melted and moved God, but his own ſon, hence Daniel prayes; Cauſe thy face to ſhine upon thy ſanctuary which is deſolate for the Lords ſake, verſ. 17.
Obj. But if we get nothing by our righteouſneſs then we had as good ſit ſtill and do nothing.
Anſw. I overthrow it onelyonly in point of ſatisfaction to divine juſtice, & in point of merit. If works alone be taught, as it happens in the Papacy, faith is loſt, if faith alone be taught, preſently carnal men dream works are not neceſſary without the cauſe of juſtification. No man can enough commend good works. Who can enough declare the profit of one good work which a Chriſtian doth from and in faith? It's more pretious then heaven and earth, therefore the whole world in this life cannot give a worthy reward for ſuch a good work. Luth. Tom. 4. fol. 109. But for righteouſneſs, as it is one with uprighneſs, I eſtabliſh it. Pſalm 32.11. Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous, and ſhout for joy all ye that are upright in heart. See whom he calls righteous, even them whom he calls upright. Pſalm 125.4. Do good to them that are good, who are they? even them who are upright in heart, yea further God will crown the righteouſneſs of his ſervants. 2 Tim. 4.8. henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteouſneſs, and not to me onelyonly but to them alſo who love his appearing, yea the righteous ſhall ſhine in the Kingdom of their father; Matth. 13.43. And God hath a ſpecial eye of providence over ſuch, 1 Pet. 3.12. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ear is open to their cry. See Gods care of righteous Noah, Gen. 6.8, 9. and of Lot. 2 Pet. 7.8, 9.
2 Moreover we ought to look upon our performances of prayer, faſting, baptiſme, ſupper, &c. as the ordinances of God wherein the Lord hath appointed us to meet with him, and wherein he will make good the things he hath promiſed therein. Eſa 64.5. Thou meeteſt him that rejoyceth and worketh righteouſneſs. He comes with his handfull and poures out that which his own freeneſs hath engaged him to do for us. Good works are no other thing then thankſgiving; they are not done for righteouſneſs but for witneſs, they pleaſe not God ſimply for themſelves but for the perſon believing. Luth. We do confeſs our ſins to him, but what is the ground of forgiveneſs? not our confeſſions, prayers or tears, but his own free grace, becauſe he delights in mercy, Mic. 7.19.
3 It's baſe ſelfiſhneſs when thou wilt do no righteouſneſs but for thy own ſake, who if thou ſhouldeſt know before hand thy righteouſneſs would get thee nothing, wouldeſt ſit ſtill and do nothing: quere, whether ſuch a man had not indeed as good ſit ſtill and do nothing.
4 Righteouſneſs of ſanctification and uprightneſs is evidential in point of aſſurance; 2 Pet. 1.6, 7, 8, 9, 10. 1 Tim. 6.17, 18.
5 To teſtifie our thankfulneſs. Rom. 12.1.
2 Danger by eſtabliſhing thy own righteouſneſs; thou unthrones Chriſt of the principal part of his Office, which is to be the righteouſneſs of his people, Jer. 23.6. Rom. 5.17, 18.By the obedience of one ſhall many be placed righteous. Its Chriſts Office to place perſons at his Judgement ſeat righteous, hence ſome read it, conſtituentur. This miſtery was ſhadowed, Exod. 25.17, 18, 19. The Law or Teſtimony was to be put in the Ark, and the Mercy-ſeat was to be ſet upon the Ark, v. 21. Chriſt is this Propitiatory or Mercy-ſeat. Rom 3.25. 1 John 2.2. Let us not take the Law out of the Ark as our righteouſneſs, but caſt our eye upon the Mercy-ſeat, which covers the Ark and Teſtimony.
2 Uſe. Conſolation to the Saints, that, though made infamous by the world, God counts them righteous: our Principal comfort is, that Chriſt takes away our filthy garments, and gives us the righteouſneſs of his Son, Zach. 3.4. That all accuſations that Satan can put in againſt thee are non-ſuted, Rom. 8.33. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? When God would comfort his people, wherewith doth he comfort them? he tells them their iniquities are pardoned. Eſa. 40.22.
Obj. But my Sins are many, my guilts haynous, how can I take comfort?
Anſw. 1 God was in Chriſt Reconciling the world unto himſelf; not imputing their treſpaſſes unto them, and delivered from the curſe all that believe on him. John 3.36. 1 Theſſ. 1.10.
2 We muſt look on Chriſts death as able to drown Mountains as Mole-hills. All the fiery ſtingings, how great ſoever, were taken away when they lookt on the Brazen Serpent, John 3.14, 15. God did not onelyonly ſave juſt Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, but unrighteous Thamar, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, that no man ſhould preſume of his righteouſneſs or wiſdom, nor that any man ſhould be diſcouraged becauſe of his ſins. Luth. in Gen. 38.
3 The Fountain of Chriſts Bloud is ſet open for all bleeding and believing ſouls, Zach. 12.10. compared with cap. 13.1. In that day they believe and repent the Fountain is open.
4 All hand-writings of Ordinances of what kinde ſoever, that might teſtifie a believers guilt, is taken away as to the accuſatory and damnatory power thereof. Col. 2.14. If the Jews rejoyced at the revoking Ahazuerus ſentence, let us much more at this.
5 All the power of Hell is led in triumph by Chriſt to the faith of the believer, Col. 2.15. Having ſpoiled principalities and powers, he made a ſhew of them openly, (viz. to the faith of the believer) triumphing over them on the Croſs.
6 In his Redemption. Chriſt had in his eye all the ſins that ſhould fall out to the end of the world, and he paid not onelyonly for ſins that were at preſent, but for thoſe which ſhould come after, though one ſin be committed to day, another to morrow, and another the third day, yet the travel of Chriſts ſoul gave the Father full ſatisfaction, Iſai 53.11.
Object. Could I believe or repent I could take comfort, but, alas! I cannot, ſaith many a poor ſoul.
Anſw. All the promiſes of remiſſion of ſins are belonging, and ſo conſequently to be tendered unto thoſe who believe and repent, not to believing without repenting, nor to repenting without believing. Luke 24.47. Mark 1.15. Acts 20.21. Paul preached Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but the promiſes are to be tendered to both together. Thus we comfort the afflicted Brother. It's impoſſible thou ſhouldeſt be ſo righteous in this life that thou ſhouldeſt feel no ſin, and that thy body ſhould be clear without ſpots as the Sun, but thou haſt yet ſpots are in thee, yet art thou holy, but thou ſayeſt, How can I be holy, ſeeing I have and feel ſin? That thou feeleſt ſin and acknowledges it, give thanks to God, deſpair not. It's a ſtep to health when the ſick perſon acknowledges his Diſeaſe. But how ſhall I be delivered from my ſin? run to Chriſt the Phyſician who heals the broken in heart, thy reaſon being ſacrificed believe in him. Luth. Tom. 4.76.
2 Mourning under unbelief, and impenitency, and hardneſs of heart doth uſually argue there is ſome meaſure of theſe graces in thy ſoul: for whence could a ſoul mourn for the want of theſe graces, but becauſe it hath ſome meaſure of theſe already? thoſe that mourn under wants and hunger and thirſt for ſupplies, are under the promiſe of bleſſedneſs. John 7.37. If any man thirſt let him come unto me and drink.
2 Every thirſting ſoul is invited to Chriſt, Revel. 22.17. Let him that is a thirſt come, and whoſoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely.
3 Caſt thy thy ſelf upon Chriſt, reſolving if thou periſheſt thou wilt periſh in his arms. Job 13.15.
2 Uſe. Righteous perſons may draw comfort from the righteouſneſs of uprightneſs, though not by way of ſatiſfaction, yet by way of evidence. 1 Chron. 29.9. The People rejoyced becauſe they offered willingly, becauſe with perfect heart they offered willingly. 2 Cor. 1.12. Our rejoycing is the teſtimony of our conſcience. Doing judgment is accompanied with joy, Prov. 21.15. Men perſecute for righteouſneſs, Matth. 5.10. Devils rage at it, but Saints muſt walk in it, Luke 1.75. Thoſe Heb. 11. firſt wrought Righteouſneſs, then obtained promiſes, v. 35.
In the name of a righteous man] Not becauſe he is a kinſman or friend, or becauſe we hope to receive like for like, or ſhall get ſome gain thereby, or ingratiate our ſelf thereby unto ſome men we would be in favour with, but as before he had ſpoken, becauſe he was a Prophet, ſo here becauſe he is a righteous man, Gal. 6.10. We ſhould principally look to the moving cauſe that moveth us to do good to Gods Saints, even becauſe we ſee Chriſt in them, though all other conſiderations were taken away, as of neighbourhood, meekneſs, love to us.
Shall receive a righteous mans Reward] That is, they ſhall not onelyonly receive the examples of thoſe holy men they receive, and their edifying ſpeeches, uſually holy, either for matter or manner of ſpeaking, and ſometimes their powerfull prayers for them, but they ſhall alſo receive the ſame reward of eternal glory which the righteous man himſelf ſhall receive, for the juſt ſhall live by faith. Heb. 2.4.
V. 42. And whoſoever ſhall give to drink unto one of theſe little ones a cup of cold water onelyonly, in the name of a Diſciple, verily, I ſay unto you, he ſhall in no wiſe loſe his Reward.
Here's a third ground againſt fear of not being received, which the Diſciples and other Chriſtians might expect for the cauſe of Chriſt, to wit, that the ſmalleſt kindneſs done to any of Chriſts little ones ſhall not go without a reward.
Whoſoever ſhall give to drink unto one of theſe little ones a cup of cold water] That is, being able to give no more, for if we can give a cup of wine, and ſhall put the matter off with a cup of water, Chriſt will think this but cold entertainment. The meanneſs of the benefit ſhall not make the kindneſs leſs reſpected with Chriſt: 2 Cor. 8.12. If there be firſt a willing minde it is accepted according to that a man hath. He names cold water, as Auguſtine ſuppoſes, leſt any man ſhould excuſe himſelf that he wanted fire, or a veſſel to heat it. By little ones Chriſt means thoſe who are baſe and vile in their own eys from the ſenſe of their Infirmities, and deſpiſed by the proud men of the world. Againſt offending and deſpiſing theſe little ones Chriſt warns, Matth. 18.6. 1 Saying, It were better a man had a Mill-ſtone hanged about his neck and he be caſt into the Sea, as the Jews were wont to puniſh ſome Malefactours, than offend ſuch little ones.
2 The Angels of theſe little ones do always behold the face of God, therefore take heed how ye deſpiſe them. God dignifies them with attendance of Angels, therefore do not ye deſpiſe them. If not deſpiſe them then muſt you receive them, and relieve them, even thoſe who are the meaneſt members of his body. Even as Rebecca when ſhe entertained Eleazar, Abrahams ſervant, Gen. 24.17. and gave him water, obtained a great reward, ſo ſhall thoſe who receive the little ones of Chriſt, and give a cup of water to them.
In the name of a Diſciple] That is, becauſe he is my Diſciple, and cleaves to my Doctrine, becauſe he believes in me, and belongs to Chriſt, as Mark hath it, cap. 9.41. This looking at Chriſt in the intention of the giver doth prove the rectitude and luſtre of the action, it nobilitates and commends it, ſo that it's done to Chriſt which is beſtowed on a Chriſtian, and ſo Chriſt interprets it Mat. 25.40. If you do it upon other account, as becauſe he is your Tenant, Servant, Kinſman, Friend, though it may be an act of natural mercy, yet doth not Chriſt eſteem it as a kindneſs done to him. In all our hoſpitality in general, and for this in ſpecial ought we to eye Chriſt. Learn we then that our deeds are eſteemed of God according to our minde and intention, provided the minde of the Intender be enlightened in his duty.
Verily, I ſay unto you, he ſhall in no wiſe loſe his Reward] The world will hardly believe that the meaneſt ſervice done to Chriſt his Diſciples will be acknowledged, according to the intention and ability of the giver, and that ſuch action of ſo ſmall valuation ſhall be rewarded; hence Chriſt confirms it with an Aſſeveration, Verily, I ſay unto you, he ſhall in no wiſe loſe his Reward. Yet ſhall he not have ſuch a Reward herein as if the ſame were done to a Prophet. God hath rewards affixt to all the ſervices done for him, but to ſome greater than other, yet not by way of merit but of free grace, as the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Cor. 3.8. Every man ſhall receive a reward according to his own labour, which reward flows not from any compact or from any commenſuration, but from Gods free grace. Reward doth not always preſuppoſe Merit as its correlate, but onelyonly labour or ſome preceding action. Sometimes the reward is inferiour to the work, as when a man works hard for a covetous perſon who rewards ſlenderly, ſometimes the reward is as much as the work, this reward preſuppoſeth merit, ſometimes the reward is far greater then the work, as for a Prince for an hours ſervice to give a man 10000 pound a year, ſuch is all our obedience in reſpect of that ſuperabundant weight of glory. Hence this reward is called foreign, a free gift, Rom. 6.23. becauſe all our works, how great ſoever, have no commenſurate or proportionable value being compared with the reward. Hence the reward of glory is called an inheritance, which doth not preſuppoſe any deſert. The Apoſtle ſaying, The wages of ſin is death, doth not ſay eternal life is the wages of holineſs, but calls it the gift of God, Rom. 6.23.
Obſerve theſe things, 1 The meaneſt ſervice done to the meaneſt of the ſervants of Chriſt ſhall be acknowledged by Chriſt, Matth. 25.36. Even Goats hair was not rejected when brought to the Sanctuary.
2 There is a free gracious reward that God hath in ſtore to diſtribute to them that receive perſons becauſe they belong to Chriſt.
3 The Lord in the actions of Chriſtians looks much upon the ſincerity of their actings, Zach. 7.5. To whom did ye faſt, did ye faſt to me? God not onelyonly looks upon the ſincerity of a King, as Hezekiah, Iſai. 38.3, 5. but alſo of a poor ſervant, Col. 3.22, 23. q. d. Deceitfull ſervants have a double heart, ſincere ſervants have a ſingle heart.
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe what is done in ſincerity is done to God. Zach. 7.5. This was Hezekiah's end, Iſai. 38.3. Rev. 2.13. If I might have my wiſh I would chuſe the baſeſt work of a ſervant-maid, before all the victories and triumphs of Alexander and Caeſar. Why? Becauſe here is God, there is the devil; the matter of the work is the ſame, but the kinde and difference infinitely diverſe. Luth. in Gen. 29. He means it of works done in ſincerity.
2 Becauſe ſincere perſons in what they do, endeavour to approve themſelves to Chriſt. 2 Cor. 2.17. We are not of them who huxter the word of God, but as of ſincerity, but as of God, in the ſight of God, ſpeak we in Chriſt. 2 Cor. 4.2. commending our ſelves to every mans conſcience in the ſight of God. 2 Theſ. 2.4. So we ſpeak, not as pleaſing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
3 That ſo he may either condemn or crown the action; condemn it, if it ſhall onelyonly have a pretence, as in Jehu's deſtruction of Baal, who did it not out of hatred of idolatry, but to get a Kingdome, See Hoſ. 1.4 Hence Jehu is charged with murther. I will avenge the bloud of Jezreel upon the houſe of Jehu, or crown it when it is done in ſincerity, as in Cornelius prayers and alms, Acts 10.2.
Uſe. Information, what kinde of ſervices we muſt bring unto the Lord, even ſuch as are ſincere. Imitate Nathaniel to be Iſraelites without guile, Joh. 1.47. If we pretend love to the Lord, let it be in ſincerity, Epheſ. 6.22. if we feed the flock of God, let it be out of love, Joh. 21.15. if we preach or take the overſight of a flock, let it be willingly, 1 Cor. 9.17. 1 Pet. 5.2. Think not any thing well done wherein thou canſt not appeal to God in the doing thereof: when we come to die thoſe things will comfort us moſt wherin we have had moſt reſpect to God and leaſt to men. It's not the greatneſs of ſervices we do, but the truth that God accepts, where there is ſincerity, though there may be diverſe failings, God knows how to overlook them. See 2 Chron. 30.18, 19, 20. and Aſa, 2 Kings 14.15.
2 Exhort. 1 To ſtrive to be ſincere in what thou doeſt.
1 The moſt glorious actions thou canſt do are abominable without it. Iſai. 66.3. He that ſacrificeth a Lamb, as if he cut off a Dogs neck, why? Becauſe not done to God. Matth. 23.29. Chriſt pronounces a wo on thoſe who builded the tombs of the Prophets, and garniſhed the ſepulchres of the righteous, why? Becauſe they did not do it out of love to holineſs, to keep the memory of holy men alive, but to cover their malice againſt Chriſt, 2 Cor. 10.18.
2 Sincerity differences the actions of one man from another. Sundry groſs hypocrites have done actions outwardly glorious, as Amaziah, 2 Chron. 25.2. Jehu, 2 Kings 10.28, 29, 31. Thoſe who preacht Chriſt out of envy, Phil. 1.16. Cain ſacrificed as well as Abel. Ezekiels worldly hearers came to hear as well as others, Ezek. 33.31.
3 The conſcience is not ſatisfied in any ſervices ſave thoſe which are done in ſincerity. Now every man ought to pleaſe his conſcience; ſo did Paul in his preaching, Gal. 1.10. Hence he had comfort, 2 Cor. 1.12. Our rejoycing is the teſtimony of our conſcience.
4 God is of a ſpiritual nature, hence we had need look our actings be ſincere. Job. 10.4. Haſt thou carnal eys as man, or ſeeſt thou as man ſees? Had we men onelyonly to look upon us we might trifle as we would, but we cannot beguile God, Heb. 4.13. All things are naked and open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do: man looks upon the appearance, God upon the heart, 1 Sam. 16.7. Rom. 1.9. Paul ſerved God in his ſpirit. Joh. 4.23, 24. They that ſerve him muſt ſerve him in ſpirit and truth: thoſe that are built up a ſpiritual houſe muſt offer ſpiritual ſacrifice, 1 Pet. 2.5.
5 There ſhall be a general diſcovery of the ſecrets of all hearts, Luk. 12. take heed of hypocriſie, why? For there is nothing covered that ſhall not be revealed, nor hid that ſhall not be known. The very counſels of the hearts ſhall be opened. 1 Cor. 4.5. Eccl. 12.14.
6 The comfort of ſincerity at all times, eſpecially in an evil day: at all times ſincerity comforts, when enemies accuſe, Pſal. 139.1. The widow had more comfort in giving her two mites then all they that had given large gifts. One ſhilling given ſincerely is more comfortable then pounds given vain-gloriouſly, Luk. 1.75. Eſpecially this comforts in an evil time, Iſai. 38.3. Pſal. 112.4, 7, 8. In that time conſcience will not ſo much ask what you have done, as to whom you have done it. In that day thoſe things wherein we have had moſt reſpect unto God and leaſt unto men will bring moſt comfort. Hezekiah had done much for God, but his chief comfort was not, the things done, as the manner of doing them. Many have received righteous men, but they will have comfort that have received righteous men as ſuch.
7 Sincerity gives a luſtre and beauty to the ſervices we do, Luk. 1.6. Zachary and Elizabeth are ſaid to be righteous before God. Paul praiſes the graces of the Theſſalonians that they were in the ſight of God and our father, 1 Theſ. 1.3. Hezekiah is commended that he turned his face to the wall and wept, Iſai 38.2. Hence all the duties of worſhip are required to be in ſincerity, as prayer, Pſal. 145.18. hearing, 1 Pet. 1.2. receiving, 1 Cor. 5.8. yea all our ſervice in holineſs and righteouſneſs muſt be before him, Luk. 1.75. So that as the varniſh gives a luſtre to the picture, the diamond to the ring, ſo doth ſincerity to our actions. As hypocriſie ſtains all a mans actions, as the burning of his body, the parting with all his goods to the poor, ſo ſincerity adorns them, a Miniſters preaching, a Tradeſmans dealing, a Magiſtrates governing, a Servants working.
8 There's nothing will carry us through variety of temptations but ſincerity, ſo that ſooner or later we ſhall diſcover our ſelves if we be not ſincere; as Saul, Jehu, Judas, &c. 1 Tim. 5.52. They that are otherwiſe cannot be hid.
9 God takes pleaſure & delight in the ſincerity of his ſervants. Jer. 5.3. Are not thine eys upon the truth? Pſ. 51.6. Thou deſireſt truth in the inward parts. Such are Gods delight, Prov. 11.20. Sincere men, whether preſent with God or abſent from him, labour to be accepted of him. 2 Cor. 5.9. If ſuch ſouls pray, God delights in their prayer, Prov. 15.8.
10 The Saints are wont to be jealous of the want of this grace above any other. Pſal. 139.24. Try me and ſearch me, O Lord, ſee if there be any way of wickedneſs in me. Job 13.23. Make me to know my tranſgreſsion and my ſin. Saints know the comfort of ſincerity is great, the corruptions that hinder it many, the trials and ſufferings to preſerve it not a few, hence are they ſo jealous of themſelves, hence the Diſciples hearing that one of them ſhould betray Chriſt, all the eleven that were ſincere ſuſpected themſelves, Maſter, is it 1? The ground of this jealouſie in ſincere ſouls is, becauſe they finde ſo much crookedneſs and falſhood in particular actions, hence they doubt leſt they ſhould be unſound in the main, yea they know their comfort or miſery doth in a great meaſure depend hereon.
11 No Preacher under heaven can ſpeak comfort to a perſon in an evil day, unleſs he be ſincere. Job 33.23. The Interpreter one of a thouſand declares comfort unto a ſick man, but how doth he it? Even by declaring unto him his uprightneſs. Afflicted ſouls ſend to Preachers in an evil day; we ſpeak peace to them, if they be upright, Prov. 2.7. He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly, Prov. 10.9. He that walks uprightly walks ſurely.
12 All ſincere ſouls and none elſe have cauſe to rejoyce in God. Pſal. 97.11. Light is ſown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Yea all ſuch are bid to rejoyce in God. Pſal. 32.11. Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous, and ſhout for joy all ye that are upright in heart. Though they have many imperfections hanging upon them, and though their grace be ſometimes like a grain of Muſtard ſeed, yet are they to rejoyce. Many poor Chriſtians are apt to be diſcouraged by their failings, yet know that ſincerity may ſtand with the having many weakneſſes, but not with the allowing, excuſing, maintaining, wilfull winking, or denying of any. All ſins which we acknowledge and defend not are pardoned, but the ſin which is defended is unpardonable. Luth. Tom. 3. Lat. 104.
Others are diſcouraged becauſe of their fruitleſneſs, let this humble thee, not diſcourage thee. Becauſe thou brings forth fruit onelyonly thirty fold, and not ſixty, charge thy ſelf with weakneſs and negligence, not with hypocriſie.