not his brother 2 Cor. 6. 6. 1 Iohn 2. 10. 6 Victory over the world 1 Iohn 5. 4. Whosoever is born of GOD overcometh the world 7 A strong love to and desire after the Word of God and a conformity of heart and life to it Psalm 119. 97. Oh how I love thy Law c. I have esteemed the words of his mouth better than my necessary food Iob 23. 12. Luke 8. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 3. SECT III The summe of all this Head Now of all that wee have spoken as to this point in hand and head of tryal this is then the summe That a man may enjoy all outward Gospel Priviledges such as the manifestations of Gods presence c. all Gospel Ordinances and means of Grace as Word Sacraments Sabbaths all advantages imaginable by parents education society c. Have great gifts and parts and doe much with them as Preach Pray and the like That he may in appearance be converted from the world be changed in his outward conversation cast off all his outward pollutions be so much reformed that hee may appear unblameable in the sight of men have much light from the Word of God be clearely convinced of the truth of it have such a taste of perswasion that the good thereby promised and offered doth belong to him as thereby to bee drawn to come to Christ in an open profession and some inward affections close with his Church be a Church-member bee taken of others and take himselfe to bee a true member ' seemingly own Iesus Christ for his Lord and submit to his Law live orderly with Christians in Church-fellowship and there make a glorious profession of the Gospel proceed to have many singular gifts and seeming graces do many excellent things and so live and dye yea live and dye a Martyr in the defence of the Gospel hee professeth yea he may have such a discovery of the Grace of God in Christ by the Gospel and such a seeming worke of Faith and Love in his soul as that he may bee perswaded that Christ and Heaven is his And upon this have a little love or shew of love to God and his people and live in a kinde of hope joy and expectation of Heaven to his dying day and yet be in his corrupt and unregenerate estate and perish And that he onely that is regenerate renewed by the Holy Ghost and VVord of God in his nature to be like Christ shall bee reputed sincere and so saved at last But to give a shorter account hereof let the summe of all bee this That the most certaine and infallible character of the true and living Christian and one that is a Christian indeed John 1. 47. And that whereby he may bee best known and distinguished from the counterfeit and painted Christian the Hypocrite is by that which is within him where the Kingdome of God is Luke 17. 20 21. Hee is the sincere Christian that is so inwardly Rom. 2. 29. And in him these things following are to bee found The Spirit of God and Christ is given unto him 1 Iohn 3. 24. 1 Iohn 4. 3. Rom. 8. 10 11 15. Galat. 4. 6. Rom. 8. 9. 1 Cor. 2 12. 1 Iohn 4. 13. And according to the new Covenant Isaiah 44 3. and 32. 15. Ezek 39. 29. Ioel 2. 29. Zachar. 12. 10. compared with Acts 2. 17. This spirit hee receives in the Preaching of the Gospel Galat. 3. 2. By this spirit in the Gospel hee is convinced of his own desperate and helplesse case out of Christ and that his help is in Christ alone Iohn 26. 8. And thereupon is drawne to Christ whom hee doth embrace by Faith Iohn 6. 44. Hebrews 11 13. Philip. 3. 12. Ephes 3. 16 17. Iohn 6. 56. 2 Corinth 4. 13. This Spirit and GOD the Father in it abideth and dwelleth in him 1 Corinth 3. 24. 1 Iohn 4. 13. Iohn 6. 56. Ephes 2. 22. And hee in whom this Spirit is abideth and dwelleth in GOD. 1 Corinth 3. 24. 1 John 4. 13. John 6. 56. By this Holy Spirit Christ and the soule are firmely united together and doe become even as Husband and VVife Romans 7. 4. Canticles 1 2 c. and are so joyned as the Tree and Branches Iohn 15. 1 c. Head and Body 1 Cor. 11. 3. Eph. 5. 23. Body and Soul Ephes 2. 5. Hence followeth presently a very great an universal change of the soul within appearing in the life without The change is from darkness to light from bondage to liberty from sinne to grace from death to life c. and is called Regeneration by which here is produced a new creature the soul whereof is this Spirit of God abiding in him compared to the natural generation conception and birth Iohn 3. 6. Iohn 12. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 22. Tit. 3. 5. Galat. 4. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Galat. 5. 15. This Spirit of God being as the soul in the body in this new creature doth animate it Ephes 2. 5 6. Rom. 8. 11. And by it the old man is changed into a new man there is a new nature hee partakes of the divine nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. a new life Gal. 2. 20. Col. 3. 21. 1 Iohn 5. 12. This change is from the state of nature to the state of grace from the likeness of the old to the likenesse of the new Adam he hath now in him the minde of Christ Ephes 4. 24. Phil. 2. 5. 1 Cor. 15. 46 47. Phil. 3. 9. Hee now lives the life of Christ 1 Pet. 4. 6. 1 Iohn 2. 5 6. 1 Iohn 3. 24. and according to the Gospel of Christ 2 Cor. 3. 18. The Holy Spirit thus dwelling and animating in and acting of this new creature and being in it self a spirit of light life and grace Zach. 12. 10. Rom. 1. 4. 1 Pet. 1. 4. It governs him in whom it is and hee is led by it and walks after it according to the Word of God 1 Pet. 1. 22. 2 Cor. 3. 18. And as the lively pure spring doth worke out the mire and mudde out of it self so this spirit doth work out of the heart the ignorance and corruption thereof and make and keep it pure Acts 15. 9. It killeth sin Rom. 8. 10 13. Destroyeth the workes of the Devil and Flesh 1 Iohn 3. 8. Such as are Adultery Uncleannesse Lasciviousnesse Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance Emulation VVrath Strife Sedition Heresies Envyings Murder Drunkenness and such like Gal. 5. 17. And quickneth inclineth and disposeth the whole heart and consequently the whole man to grace and goodnesse Rom. 8. 10. And such like fruits as these following Righteousnesse Joy Love Long suffering Gentlenesse Faith Goodnesse Meeknesse Temperance and the like Gal. 5. 19. Rom. 14. 17. and the manifestation and exercise thereof in the life are the natural and proper works fruits effects of this spirit Gal. 5. 22 23. Rom. 14. 17. 2 Cor. 5. 13. Rom. 8. 26. 2 Cor. 8. 17. Acts 2. 4. Gal. 4. 6. And
when he doth it either to still the noyse of his own conscience or to get him a name or to procure himself some outward advantage in the world thereby Joh. 6. 26. Ye follow me for the loaves c. or at the most to save his soul by it and because that cannot be done otherwise And without any love to God to whom the work is done or love of the work done And without any respect at all to Gods glory or the good of other men Ephes 6. 5. Col. 3. 22. Not with eye service as men pleasers Matth. 6. 2 10. Ye doe it to be seen of men Mat. 23. 14. That ye may appear to men c. Or for a worse end James 4. 3. Ye ask amiss that you may consume it on your lusts Phil. 1. 17. 2 Cor. 4. 2. 5. 12. See more for this in Chap. 7. Sect. 21. Object It may be asked whether a man in the good he doth and evil he suffereth may not have an eye also to his own good a temporal reward here as wel as to his eternal salvation hereafter Answ To which we answer Yes doubtlesse 1 For God doth set this before him to encourage him in it and no Scripture motive can draw out any unlawful affection and whatsoever Gods VVord requireth the Spirit of God worketh by degrees in the heart of the Beleever 1 Pet. 5. 4. 2 The servants of God it is true have within them an ingenuous and supernatural principle whereby they love God and holy things because of the excellency of them even as a carnall man loveth sin because of the sutablenesse of it with his own heart And yet Gods servants in the things they have done and suffered have had an eye yea a fixed and constant eye upon their owne temporal and eternal good also for their encouragement therein Heb. 11. 14 26. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a Country For hee had respect unto the recompence of reward 3 Our Lord Jesus in that he did suffered had an eye to this Heb. 2. 2. Looking unto Iesus c. who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross c. And therefore all amor mercedis is not amor mercenarius Some make Gods glory and our happiness to differ as the supream and subordinate ends some as coordinate ends onely but to be sure GOD hath so infallibly eonjoyned them together that one cannot bee without the other So that by all this now wee may try our selves as to our workes and our works themselves whether they be such as God will approve whether they be wrought in God Gal. 6. 4. But let every man prove his own works and then shall he have rejoycing c. The more they doe answer to these rules the more perfect they are and the more they swerve from them the more they savour of Hypocrisie in them VVee shall now in the next place make some other uses of and infereuces upon all that wee have sayd and therein a little enlarge our selves upon the whole matter before layd down CHAP. XI Other Conclusions and Inferences upon all the premises HAving opened and laid down the main differences that are between the sincere Christian and the Hypocrite and how and wherein the true Christian doth and must goe beyond the Hypocrite in heart and life And having in this set forth the difficulty pains and charge of a true Christian life and how far many men goe therein and yet come short of heaven and how much there doth go to the making up of a sincere Christian we shall make some other inferences thereupon and uses thereof for the edification of our selves and others in the Christian Faith Some of which will be for Information or Instruction some for caution or admonition and some for exhortation SECT I. 1 For Information 1 To shew us somewhat of the reason of the Disciples speech to Christ and his answer to them in Luke 23. 23 24. Lord are there fâ—w that shall be saved And hee said unto them strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter and shall not be able c. And of Christs words Matth. 7. 13 14. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to life and few there bee that finde it And of that in 1 Pet 4. 18. If the Righteous scarcely bee saved where shall the ungodly and sinners appeare 2 To shew us that there is great cause to doubt that amongst the many glorious Professors of Religion in these days there may be very few sincere very many And if so may we not in our time take up the complaints and lamentations of the holy men of former times and of such times wherin were godly Kings and wherein Religion flourished as in the time of the Prophet David Psal 12. 1 Help Lord for the godly faile c. and of the Prophet Jeremiah Ierem. 5. 1 run too and fro c. and see c. and seeke if he can find a man if there be any that executeth judgment that seeketh the truth c. And of the Prophet Isaiah Isai 59. 15. Yea truth faileth and he that departeth from evill maketh himselfe a prey And of the Prophet Micah Micah 7. 1. 2. 4. the good man is perished out of the earth and there is none upright amongst men they are as the grape gleanings of the vintage c. the best of them is as a brier the most upright is sharper then a thorn-hedge where we have the best of them of the time compared to thorns and briers which are of a hurtfull catching scratching pricking vexing greiving nature to all that come neer unto or medle with them Ezech 28. 24. Numb 34. 55. Iudges 9. 14. 15. Iosh 23. 13. And are not most of the glorious Proffessors of Religion of our dayes such one towards another VVhat meaneth else the bitter Envy malice wrath jealousie contempt and evill surmisings of mens hearts within And from without the strife debate contention whispering back-biting slandering censuring judging threatning provoking scoffing scorning rayling reproaching sleighting by gestures words and deeds pass from one of them towards another And what else mean the manifold Heresies Seditions Calumniations Invectives Confusions and evil works that are to be found every where amongst the eminent Professors of the Gospel agreeing together in the Head Christ and substance of Doctrine about differences of ceremonie and circumstance Have not parties factions and interests almost devoured and eaten up all appearance of Sinceritie amongst us Prov. 20. 6. Most men proclaim every man his goodness but a faithfull man who can find 3 To shew that the sincere Christian is a rare piece and precious jewel in Gods account his delight is much in his heart is much upon him John 1. 47. Behold an Israelite indeed c. Psal 11. 7. His countenance doth behold the upright c. 4 To shew the gross mistake
assent to and believe the truth of the whole word of God James 2 19. The Divells believe and tremble 11. He may not only heare but entertaine and feelâ— the word quick and powerfull and have some false perswasion or fancy that the promise of the Gospell doth belong to him and that Christ and Salvation by him is his Luke 8. 13. They on the Rock are they which when they heare receive the word with joy and have no root which for a while believe and in time of Temptation fall away Io 2. 23 24. Many believe in his name c. But Iesus did not commit himselfe to them for he knew what was in man c. Ezek. 33. 31 32. Acts 8. 13. Simon himselfe believed also v. 19. 20 21. c. Io 4. 41 42 45 46 48. c. In his Peace of Conscience joy c. 12. He may from the discovery made to his soule of the blessed estate of the Believers and the false perswasion of his heart bred and fed by Satan and his own flattery of himselfe that he is one of them and shall have his part in heaven with them have some slight impressions of joy within him and some kind of peace of Conscience He may have a kind of hope and patience to wait and look for the thing he doth believe he shall have And by all this think that his estate is very good and better then other mens And for the proof of all these things see Mat. 13 20 21. But he that received the seed into stony places the same is he that beareth the word and anon with joy receiveth it yet hath he not root in himselfe Io. 5. 35. They did for a season rejoyce in the light c. Heb. 6. 4 5. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned that is that are instructed by the Gospell of Christ in the way of salvation by Christ Ephes 1. 18. And have tasted that is have had a little relish of the word whose heart and affection is for a time taken with the newnesse and pleasantnesse of the Christian doctrine and hath some transient motion by it or generall disposition towards Christ in it a Tast like that the Cook hath by dipping his finger in the dish and the licking of it that is not fed or strengthned by it or like as the child that catcheth at the breast and doth not suck is never the better for it The heavenly gift That is either Christ the gift of God Io. 4. 10. Or the heavenly calling Heb 3. 1. or a Temporary Faith which seems to be all one for Christ by Faith received is the only food of the Soule Jo. 4. 14. and 6. 33 35. And by this doth the soule live as the body doth by the receiving in of its naturall food And were made partakers of the Holy Ghost that is Either of the common work and operation thereof in generall or such extraordinary gifts thereof which the Church had for that time for the present necessity thereof as Miracles Prophesy and happily some inward Revelations and Inspirations that do not continue to this day in ordinary with the Church And have tasted the good word of God that is haâ—h some passionate apprehensions of the necessity goodnesse sweetnesse and profit of Christ the subject of it and the Gospell and promises of Christ c. and some groundlesse perswasion that it belongs to him he hath a little relish hereof as a child that will not or cannot take the breast and doth but snatch at it hath only a tast of it and is not fed and nourished by it as the child is that doth hold and suck its belly full As the true believer who doth so desire and receive the word that he doth grow thereby 2 Pe. 2. 2. And the powers of the world to come that is which hath had a tast which must be supplyed of the powers of the world to come By these words some understand all the Spirituall blessings and Priviledges of the Gospell Church as a tast of Christ the common gifts of the spirit outward Prophesy Prayer and the like Inward as Faith Hope Joy and the like And others understand by it the joys of Heaven And so that as the Israelites did tast of the fruits of the Land of Canaan and never came there to eat thereof So some Hypocrites may have some litle tast of the ioves of Heaven that shall never come there And in both senses but especially in this last sense it seems to be thus farre intended that upon his contemplation of Heaven he may be in a rapture the other things being included in the former words See for this Mat. 13. 20 21 22. Numb 23. 10. and 24. 2 3 c. and 13. 26. and 14. 27. c. In his love of God 13. He may perhaps hereupon or for some other good felt apprehended or hoped for by him from God have some seeming love to God and Christ 2 Tim 3. 4. Ephes 6. 24. In his Love of the Godly He may also have some seeming love to and delight in the company of the Saints and true Christians so the foolish Virgins seem to have a love to and delight in the fellowship of the wise Virgins Mat 25. 1 2 3. c. In his Love of Ordinances 14. He may also have some seeming love to and delight in the Ordinances of God Ezek. 33. 31. Esay 58 2. Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my wayes c. Mat. 13. 20 21. In his Love of Graces 15. He may have some seeming love to and some desire after the Gifts and Graces of Gods Spirit Mat 25. 1 2 6. c. So the foolish Virgins seemed to desire the oyle of the wise Virgins Acts 8. 18 19. 16. He may seem to lament after God and after the visible signes and manifestations of his presence departed from him 1 Sam 28. 15. In his other seeming Graces 17. He may perhaps get some appearance of all the other gifts and graces of the Spirit as Humility Mercy Meeknesse Patience and the like For there is no kind of grace or duty required by God but there is a like to it nor work done by the true Christian but the Hypocrite can imitate Therefore we find a like to true Faith Repentance and Love And the Hypocrite may be perswaded that he hath indeed those very graces and doth indeed those very works as the foolish Virgins Mat. 25. 1 2 c. In a growth of Grace 16. He may in appearance thrive and grow herein towards perfection As the three sorts of bad hearers did Luke 8. 12 13 14. c. and Mat. 13. 25. 17. And by all this he may get a great name and esteeme amongst men for a true Christian Mat. 25. 1 2. c. 18. And he may thus continue without any suspicion to his dying day Luke 25. 11. and 13. 25 26 27 28. But for the farther clearing of all these last
the sincere Christian is compleat and entire also as to him that obeyeth for it is the obedience of his whole man body and soul The obedience of the Hypocrite is commonly counterfeit and not from his heart sometimes with a part of his heart only and never with his whole heart Ezek. 33. 31. There is action without affection the lips are without the heart in it It cometh coldly from him without any vigour or life of the inner man Ezech. 33. 31. their heart goeth after their covetousness Isa 29. 13. This people draw nigh to mee with their mouth but their heart is far from me Ps 78. 34 35 36. They returned and enquired early after God nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth c. for their heart was not right with him c. Jer. 3. 10. And yet c. her treacherous Sister Judah hath not turned unto me with hgr whole heart but feignedly c. Amos 8. 5 6. Hosea 7. 14. But the new obedience of the sincere Christian is a cordial and affectionate obedience of the whole inward and outward man both together That which he beleeveth and that which he doth or leaveth undone it is all frrom his very heart Rom. 6. 17. You have obeyed from the heart the Doctrine c. And it is with the whole heart Ps 119. 10 145 With my whole heart have I sought thee c. So that what he doth he doth with his whole soul mind conscience wil affections all concurring with him therein He doth with all his might and strength desire and endeavour to doe the whole will of God Psal 119. 10. 34. 69. I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart Acts 8. 37. If thou believest with al thy heart c. His grace within and his work without is unfeigned 2 Tim. 1. 5. 2 Cor. 6. 6. 1 Sam. 12. 20. Ezek. 11. 19 20. Rom. 12. 8. 5 As he is careful to doe all God requireth and with the whole man so is he careful to doe no more than God requireth But the Hypocrite hath additions of his own and other mens inventions Jer 32. 35. Ps 106. 39. Mat. 15. 2 3. c. 6 The new obedience of the sincere Christian is a real obedience 1 That of the Hypocrite is onely verbal and complemental Mat. 21. 28 29 30. A certain man had two sons and he said to one of them Goe and work to day in my vineyard And he said I go sir but went not 1 Ioh. 3. 17 18. Let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth Luke 6. 45. And why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the thing which I say But the obedience of the sincere Christian is an obedience that is in deeds as well as in words Rom. 15. 18. Col. 3. 17. 2 That of the Hypocrite is feigned and counterfeit as we have shewed Ps 78. 36. But this of the sincere Christian is as he himself is indeed what he seemeth 7 This new obedience of the sincere Christian as it is exact and compleat for the matter so for the manner of it and the mind of the doer therin The Hypocrite he onely mindeth the worke done and not how it bee done or with what minde hee doth it But the sincere Christian is careful not only what he doth but how with what mind he doth it And for this he doth and suffereth it i. in Christs name where the Hypocrite doth dare adventure to goe to God in his own name and upon his own account without the name of Jesus Christ as Mat. 22. 1 2 13 c. He saw there a man that had not on a wedding garment c. Luke 18. 11 the Pharisee praied and said God I thank thee I am not c. Iohn 6. 64. and 7. 5. or otherwise ask doubtingly Iames 1. 7 8. The sincere Christian he dares not come to God but with Iesus Christ in his heart and mouth and so coming he beleeves that he shall be accepted both in his person and service Hee doth ask in faith his Prayer is the prayer of Faith Iames 5. 15 16. 1 Tim. 2. 8. Iames 1. 6. Heb. 11. 4 6. By Faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain c. But without Faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must beleeve Iohn 16 23 24. 14 6. 2 He doth and suffereth preparedly where the Hypocrites heart in his coming to God in service is altogether unprepared for it as being voyd of the love and fear and reverence of God in it 2 Chron 12. 14 and 20 23. Psal 78. 34 35 36. Isa 29. 13. The sincere Christian his heart is ready and prepared to and for his obedience in doing or suffering as an instrument when set in tune is ready to be plaid upon He loves and fears God hee hath high holy and reverend thoughts of Gods name wayes and worship c. 2 Chron. 30 9. Psalm 108. 1. Psal 57. 7 Rom. 1 15 Mal 1. 6 7 8 17. Deut. 10. 12. Acts 21. 13. 3 He doth it sincerely where the Hypocrite doth it with a double and deceitful heart all that he doth Psal 78. 34 c. James 4. 8. The sincere Christian he doth it with a true plaine heart Heb. 10 22. Rom. 12. 8 9. 1 Pet. 1 2. So the Magistrate ruling Rom. 12. 7 8. The Minister in preaching 2 Cor. 1. 12. 1 Thes 2. 4 5 6 c. but to this we have spoken before 4 He doth it cheerfully and joyfully Where the Hypocrite is in his obedience especially in the service of God unwilling to and unchearfull in it and takes little or no delight but is soon weary of and tyred in it Amos 8. 5. When will the new Moon be gone c. Mal. 1. 15. Behold what a weariness it is Job 27. 10. The true Christian he delights in it it is his meate and drink the yoak herein upon him is an easie yoake to him Psal 40 8. Mat 11. 30. Psal 119 47. I shall delight my self in thy Commandments 2 Cor 8. 19. 1 Pet 5. 2. 2 Cor 9 7. Isa 58. 13. If thou call the Sabbath a delight 1 Cor. 29 9. Heb. 10. 34. Ye took joyfully the spoyling of yourgoods Judges 5. 2. And hence are the sincere Christians said to be a willing people Ps 110. 3. 5 He doth it patiently Where the Hypocrite is commonly in that which he doth and suffereth impatient and complaining against God Mal. 3. 14 15. Ye say it is in vain to serve the Lord c. 2 Kings 6. 33. This evil is from the Lord what should I wait c. Ezek. 18. 25 29 and 33. 17. 20. Numb 14. 17. Psal 106. 25. Mat. 20. 12 15. Mat. 25. 23 24. The sincere Christian hee is patient and doth quietly submit to the will of God therein 1 Sam. 3. 17 18. It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 2 Kings 20. 19
For if there bee first a willing minde it is accepted according to that a man hath c.. VVe are here also to adde this caution further in reference to all that wee have spoken to this head that the faigned Graces of the Hypocrites and their gifts are in some hearts so like to true Grace that it is hard to distinguish them And in the hearts of the most sincere corrupt affections and motions stirre so much that it is hard to conclude any thing certainly and definitively herein more or further than this That the more we find of the motions and operations of Sinceritie the more cause we have to judge our selves sincere And the more we see of the motions and operatious of Hypocrisie the more cause wee have to suspect our selves thereof All these things therefore are cautiously to be heeded and used But for this see more in the beginning of the next Chapter If yet you shall desire to see some more certain signes of the sincere man and of the Hypocrite we shall endeavour to give you some of them in the nevt Chapter CHAP. VIII How Sinceritie and Hypocrisie are manifested Or The signs of Sinceritie and of Hypocrisie This question is partly answered before in Chapter 3. where wee have set forth wherein Sinceritie and Hypocrisie doe consist And again in Chap. 7. wherein we have shewed in what the sincere Christian doth differ from and goe beyond the Hypocrite But wee shall now in this place adde further some particulars wherein Sincerity and Hypocrisie doe most eminently shew themselves in the Professors of Religion and these also may serve for signs and markes thereof And these wee shall also lay down the one aghinst the other in way of opposition But herein wee must premise four things by way of caution 1 That amongst these signs of Hypocrisie some are more grosse and palpable than others 2 That neither the one nor the other on the one or on the other side albeit they bee certaine and infallible in themselves yet may they not be so to us whose hearts are deceitful above all things and wee are so apt to bee deceived by them Wee doe not propose them therefore as aosolutely certaine and infallible as to us For many of the things wee give and lay downe through this whole worke as signes or markes of the sincere Christian some appearance of the same things may be found in and upon the Hypocrite As for example Hee may seem to have some delight in God Job 27. 10. Hee may have some delight in good things Matth. 13. 20. Marke 6. 20. Isaiah 58. 2. and good men and their company Mat. 25. 1 2 3 c. So the foolish seemed to delight in the company of the wise Virgins Hee may have an appearance of all the graces of the Spirit within him and seem to grow in them for a long time perhaps to his dying day Mat. 13. 4 5 6. 20 21 22. Luke 6. 46. Hee may bee a constant Hearer of the VVord of GOD and yeeld some obedience thereunto as Herod Amaziah and others 2 Chronicl 25. 2 9 15 16. Luke 6 46 47. Mark 6. 18 19 20. Hee may deny himself in many things avoyd evill and repent of sinne as Ahab Saul Judas others and doe many other things as we have before layd down at large And on the other side many of the things wee have observed or shall here further observe to be the signes or marks or workings of Hypocrisie The likeness or resemblance or at the least some degrees thereof or the thing it self at some iime may be found in the sincere Christian As for example we read of them in Scripture or of some of them at some time or in some case unbelieving Mat. 14. 31. Rom. 14. 23. Mat. 6. 30. Despising God and the commandement of God 2 Sam. 12. 9 10. Hypocritical Gal. 2. 12 13. Unthankful 2 Chron 32 25. Barren and unfruitful under the means of Grace Heb. 6. 1 2 3. Iohn 14. 9. Negligent about holy duties 1 Cor. 11 20 21 c. Falling off from Christ in case of persecution John 18. 15 16 c. John 17. 13. and 9. 22. Fearing of an open profession of the Gospel because of persecution John 19. 38. Impatient and discontented at Gods works Ionah 4. 1 2 3. Iob 3. 1 c. Impatient and wrathful against man 2 Chron. 16. 10. Covetous or loving the world 1 Iohn 2. 15. 1 Cor. 5. 10. Iame. 4. 1 2 3 4. Lifted up with pride 2 Sam. 24. 10. Mark 9. 34. 2 Chron. 32. 24 25 26 31. 2 Kings 20. 12. Injurious 2 Chron. 16 10. 2 Sam. 16. 3 4. and 19. 24 25 26 27 29 Not enduring the reproof of sin 2 Chron. 16. 10. Contentious Acts 15. 39. Using unlawful guile to doe evil or obtain good Gen. 20. 2. Gen. 27. 18 19 36. Secure Psalm 32. 1 2 c. Unthankful Isa 51. 13. Ps 78. 11. Censorious Iames 3. 1 2. Hee may curse or swear Mat. 26. 75. Iames 3. 9 10 Forswear Mat. 26. 75. Lye Gen. 20. 2. and 26. 7. Raile and revile 1 Cor. 5. 11. 1 Pet. 3. 9. and 2. 23. Hee may also commit or fall into Idolatry Adultery Fornication Incest Murder Drunkenness Extortion Injustice Oppression Dangerous Errors or Heresies Iohn 1. 46. 2 Sam. 11. 3 4 13 14 15. 2 Sam. 19. 28 29 30. Gen. 19. 30 31 32 c. 1 Kings 11 7 8 9 c. 1 Cor. 10. 4 5 6 7 c. 1 Cor. 11. 1. 2 3 c. 1 Cor. 15. 12. So now we finde it by sad expirience That these and such like evils are to be found too often stirring in the hearts and lives of the best Christians And the differences of their being in the true Christian and the Hypocrite wee have opened in another place 3 That we doe not presently judge a man to be an Hypocrite in his state because he hath som Hypocrisie in him For there is not a man that lives but hath Hypocrisie in him more or lesse Besides that every man is born an Hypocrite For of this sinne as of all others wee have the seeds in our natures But no man is to bee accounted a Hypocrite in his state but such a one as is under the reign and power of Hypocrisie and that yeelds himselfe up to it to obey it an obstinate and wilful Hypocrite And not such a one as doth see it in himselfe detest disavow bewaile it and labour against it all hee can he is not an Hypocrite albeit he have hypocrisie in him 4 And therefore in the next place this is especially the conclusion which wee draw from all these things as I have formerly intimated That rhe more of all the signes or marks of sinceritie are to be found in or upon any one man the more evidence hee in whom they are found may have for his sinceritie And the more of the signes of Hypocrisie are to bee found in any one man the more
whole heart with a perfect heart and willing mind with a true heart in sinceritie and truth 1 Chr. 28. 9. Deut. 10. 12. Heb. 10. 22. Hos 7. 14 15 16. That whatever they do in their profession they doe it to and for the Lord and noâ— to or for themselves or for other men Col. 3. 23. Hos 7. 14 15. That their repentance towards God faith towards the Lord Jesus their love to fear of and joy and delight in God and Christ and their profession and declaration thereof bee unfeigned and with all their heart and soul Prov. 23. 26. Deut. 30. 10. 2 Kings 23. 25. 2 Cor. 6. 6. Ps 78. 34 35 36. That they follow God fully Numb 14. 24. and Christ wheresoever he shall goe or call them Mat. 8. 19. That whatsoever they doe unto men be not done with eye-service as men pleasers but as doing the wil of God from the heart heartily with singleness of heart with good wil as the servants of Christ as serving him fearing God and as unto the Lord. Col. 3. 22. Eph. 6. 6 7 8. That such as pretend to the faith love and obedience of and suffering for the Lord Jesus Christ that they doe it in sinceritie to exalt his honour and the honour of the Father in him Eph. 6. 24. Joh. 5. 23. That whatsoever they speak to men be the truth and from their heart 1 Thes 46 Ps 52. 2. Jer. 9. 5 6 8. Prov. 26. 22 23. c. Gen. 34. 13. 2 Sam. 3 27. Psal 15. And that they talke walk and live like Saints that they be not only hearers and talkers but doers of the Word of God James 1. 2 2. and that their hearts be purified and their hands be cleansed Iames 4. 8. that those as name the Name of Christ depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2. 19. Mat. 7. 22 23. Psal 119. 1 2 3. That the Rulers be Ministers of God for good to the people revengers to execute wrath upon him that doth evil Rom. 13. 2 3. And that they be not a terrour to good works but to the evil That they rule in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23 3. To the glory of God and the good of them that are ruled especially of the people of God amongst them 2 Sam. 23. 2. Ps 78 72. 1 Tim. 3. 4 12. That the Judges professing godlyness be such as feare God men of truth hating covetousness Exod. 18. 21. That in their judgement they doe take heed to what they do and consider that they judge not for man but for the Lord who is with them in the judgement And that the fear of the Lord be upon them and that they doe take heed and doe it as considering that there is no iniquitie with the Lord nor respect of persons nor taking of gifts 2 Chron. 19. 6 7. And that the Teachers and Preachers preach the Truth Feed the Flock of God taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind not as Lords over Gods heritage but as ensamples to the flock 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. That herein they seek not their own but the things of Iesus Christ Phil. 2. 21. and the good of others 1 Cor. 10. 24. 33. not to please themselves or men but to please God Gal. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 10. 33. that they give no offence to God or man 1 Cor. 9. 20. And that in all they doe God may bee glorified the Name of the Lord Jesus exalted 1 Cor. 10. 31. 6. 20. the peoples souls saved Gal. 6. 10. and they themselves be able to give up their account therof with joy at the last day Heb. 13. 17. And now for our last word to others that do not so much as appear to be the friends but rather the enemies of Christ Let us perswade them onely to lay down their weapons and give over their opposition against Christ for he will be too strong for them It is hard to kick against the priks Acts 9. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie are we stronger than he Mat. 21. 44. And therefore what the Prophet Ps 2. 10 11. said to great men we say to all Be wise now therefore c. kiss the son c. And now having set forth wherein the Christians life doth consist and the difficulty thereof it is high time we lay down some motives or encouragements and helps therein CHAP. XII Arguments to perswade to Sinceritie and against Hypocrisie in the general THE next thing we have to do is to lay down something by way of motive to perswade not only to a Christian life but also to Sincerity and against Hypocrisie therein And this first in general And in the next place in particular services to perswade us to be Christians indeed to the profession of the Christian faith and to sincerity therein And to move us to labour to bee and to keep sincere in our state or in the general Besides what we have before layd down let us take up and use these following considerations 1 Hypocrisie in Religion is a sin we are all very prone to for every man by nature is an Hypocrite and every true Christian hath more or less hypocrisy in him Job 31. 33. If I cover my transgressions as Adam by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom Gen. 3. 12. Hence it is that Christ bids his Disciples beware of it Mat. 6. 1. Luke 12. 1. 2 Yea it is much to be feared that Hypocrisie in Religion is now very common and that Hypocrites are very many and that Hypocrisie is now become the general disease of the time because there is now more to breed feed it than in former times Religion is now in request the greatest and most of men be religious Religion is now looked upon with a good eye and religious godly men are now in great esteem with the greatest men of the time so that it is now as in the time spoken of in Esth 8. 17. The Iews had light and gladness and joy and honour c. and a good day and many of the people of the land became Iews for the fear of the Iews fell upon them A false heart will work upon this and the man in whom it is will for his outward advantage in the world put himself into any form of Religion 1 Tim. 6. 5. 3 The sin of Hypocrisie in the nature and working of it is a most dangerous sin For 1. It is a soul-pleasing sin being a part of the old man and natural to us Ps 52. 3. thou lovest evil c. and lying c. Hosea 12. 7 8. Col. 3. 9. 2 It is a soul killing sin Acts 8. 21 22 23. 3 It is of a very infectious nature Gal. 2. 12 13. 4 It is as we have said a very common evill where the contagion of the plague is common the danger is greater 5 It is hardly discerned in him in whom it is It is as