that kind of trust he hath in God is a groundless trust it hath no root Micah 3. 11. Luke 8. 13. 2 The true faith and trust of the true Christian brings forth obedience and submission to all Gods will in doing and suffering Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith Isa 25. 9. Psal 40. 1. But the faith and hope of the Hypocrite is fruitless to himself and others Job 8 14. The hope of the Hypocrite shall fail him and be as the spiders webb Ps 106. 6 7 13. 3 It is a continuing and a growing trust but the faith and trust of the Hypocrite is a temporary and vanishing faith and trust Psal 106. 12 13. Then beleeved they his words c. they soon forgat his works c. Exod. 14. 31. Mat. 13. 6 20 21. Ps 78. 34 35. SECT XI 10 In their Faith in Christ Signs of it The true Christian is such a one as doth believe in Christ and so he must John 14. 1. But the Hypocrite as we have shewed may believe in Christ also John 2. 23 24 25. Luke 8 13. But there is a vast difference between the faith of the true and the faith of the false Christian herein 1 The one the unfeigned faith of the true Christian is a grace of the Regenerating Spirit and alwaies accompanied with Regeneration John 1. 12 13. But as many as received him to them he gave power to be the Sons of God even to them which beleeve in his Name which was born not of blood c. Eph. 2. 8. Gal. 5. 22. John 3. 5. 2 The faith of the true Christian is grounded upon the promise and is alwaies accompanied with the knowledge of the promise of the Gospel it doth beleeve Ephes 1. 13 14. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospel c. Isa 53. 11. By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justifie many c. John 17. 3. It is life eternal to know thee c. 1 John 5. 10 11. Rom. 10. 14. 3 He takes accepts and receives Christ for salvation and that upon his own terms Luke 9. 23. If any man will come after me let him deny himself John 1. 12. Acts 6. 31. 4 It is a faith whereby a man takes Christ to him and gives himself up to Christ Heb. 11. 13. Having seen the promises afar off c. and embraced them c. Phil. 3. 12. John 5. 24. and 6. 37 38. Rom. 12. 1. 5 It is a soul melting faith Zach. 12. 10. They shall look on him whom they have pierced and they shall mourn c. 6 It is a soul-purifying faith Acts 15. 9 Purifying their hearts by faith c. and 26. 18. Which work it doth 1 By application of the VVord against sin John 17. 17. 2 By application of Christs blood Zach. 13. 1. 3 By an inward efficacy and operation so it is a part of sanctification Gal. 5. 22. 7 It is a soul-conflicting Faith it hath many doubts fears and difficulties to encounter with Mark 9. 24. And stratway the father of the child cried out and said with tears Lord I beleeve help thou mine unbelief Phil. 2. 12. Work out your own salvation 8 It is an obedient-making faith it makes a man sincerely obedient Heb 11. 7. 8. 17. and fruitfull in good works Gal 5. 6. But faith which worketh by love Tit. 3. 8. Heb. 11 throughout James 2. 17 20. and ready and chearful therein Gal. 5. 7 9 It is a soul-supporting faith in time of trouble Hab. 2. 4. But the just shall live by his faith Job 13. 15 16. and 19. 26. 27. 10 It is a prevalent and a conquering faith it makes a man able to doe the hardest things to break through all difficulties overcome all temptations part with his dearest interests trample under his feet all the threats pleasures profits and honours of the world and makes a man hang loose from them James 4. 7. 1 Per 5. 9. Heb. 11. By faith Noah c. prepared an Ark c. ver 24. 25. By faith Moses when he came to years refused c. chusing rather c. 2 Thes 1. 11. 1 Thes 1. 3. Acts 17. 32 34. 11 It is a quickning powerful lively and a laborious faith 1 Thes 1. 3. Remembering without ceasing your work of Faith c. Rom. 1. 17. Gal. 2. 20. James 2. 18. 12 It is very apprehensive of unbelief Mark 9 24. Luke 17. 5. And the Apostles said to the Lord Increase our faith 13 It hath with it a spirit of Prayer Rom. 10. 14. Psal 116. 10. 14 It hath with it some peace Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith we have peace with God 15 It is a growing and increasing faith 2 Cor. 10. 15. Rom. 1. 17. 2 Thes 1. 3. Your faith groweth exceedingly But the faith of the Hypocrite is a groundless faith that for which he hath no promise it is either Historical onely as was that of Agrippa Acts 26. 27. and of the devils James 2. 19. that he doth beleeve the things written in the VVord to be true The devils beleeve and tremble Or that of miracles which Judas and others had by which they did miraculous and wonderfull things Mat. 27. 22 23. Or an imaginary fearless and confident faith a meer fancy and dream of the brain whereby a man doth conceive his estate to be good and in Christ and yet is still in his carnal estate without any fruits of faith James 2. 14 17 20 26. And this indeed is presumption Or it is a temporary faith which doth usually vanish like a Comet in time of trial and he that hath it falls away by Apostasie Luke 8. 13. with Mat. 13. 20 21. Mark 10. 17. And is not accompanied with the purification of the heart or reformation of the life or any such lively effects as we have before observed to be in the faith of the true believer but it is like the corn either withered by the Sun or choaked by the thorns Luke 8. 5 6 7 12 13 14. Acts 8. 21 22. SECT XII 11 In their Repentance The true Christian must be convinced of his sin inwardly grieved and humbled for his sin and this before and after his calling and conversion and must be changed and converted in heart and life from it Luke 13. 3. Acts 17. 30. Acts 11. 18. Isa 1. 11. to 29. Tit. 1. 15. Psal 66. 18. Wee find also that there is a kind of grief and sorrow and that there are gripings and affrightings in the heart and some effects thereof in the life of the Hypocrite Mat. 27. 3. Psal 68. 35 36. But there is between the one and the other a great difference 1 In the first conversion and repentance for sin in general And 2 in particular conversions upon particular falls As to the first That of the true Christian is wrought by the VVord of God with the operation of the Spirit discovering to him his sin and
SINCERITY AND HYPOCRICY OR The Sincere Christian and Hypocrite in their lively Colours standing one by the other Very profitable for this Religion Professing time By W. S. Serjeant at Law Together with a Tract annexed to prove That true Grace doth not lye so much in the Degree as in the Nature of it Joh. 1. 47. Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no gaile Rom. 2. 29. He is a Iew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of GOD. OXFORD Printed by A. Lichfield Printer to the University for Rob Blagrave 1658. To all that pretend in any form of Worship to call on the Name of the Lord. Friends I Having had cause my selfe to suspect mine own condition have been put to search try my self and not willing to bee mistaken in a point of so high concernment I did lay and bind up together these Meditations tending to the anatomizing and the turning of the inside outward of a Christian to be as a Looking-glass or Touchstone for my help herein And finding them somewhat usefull for mine own purpose and supposing they may be so also to some others in my case And having vehement cause to suspect that many thousands amongst us in this golden time go with the wind and tyde in the general profession of the Gospel and know not because they try not what they are or whither they are going or what they doe Therefore I have sent it amongst you as a watch-word And now consider were there any one amongst you to have a goodly Mannor in a remote country for which he hath a conveyance for the payment down of a little sum of money and is to go shortly thither to shew his conveyance pay his mony and take his possession And should I tell him his couveyance hath a flaw in it and this is to be helpen before he go and that the mony he iutends to carry will not pass for currant there will he not be willing to hear and receive advice from me To this purpose is all this that I am saying That your Evidence as it now stands is not good for Heaven the money you intend to carry with you that you have to lay down for Christ will not be taken for currant there If I should tell any of you that are trading with your whole stock whether you shall thrive or not or that you are in the way to be undone and how you may thrive and be exceeding rich Or if I should tell you that are now going a voyage by Sea in a Ship wherein you adventure your lives and all your estate in a dangerous passage between Rocks and Sands Or you that are going about a work of mighty concernment in a journey by land in a solitary way where are Robbers Lyons Bears Wolves Brakes Pits c. and there is but one way of safety onely and that you are in the dangerous way and should offer to put you in the safe way Or if I should tell any of you that stand to be chosen to a place of Preferment that the having of it will make him and the losing of it will undoe him that he is out of the way for it and which way hee may be sure of it who would not hearken to me How acceptable would my conusel be to such My design therfore in this word of Advice is to shew you how amongst all your gettings you may get wisdom * Prov. 4. 7. and in your trading purchase that incomparable Pearl which to get with the loss of all is an incomparble purchase * Mat. 13. 45 46 47. and to put you into the narrow way to eternal life which so few find and so many are mistaken in who then would not but hearken to it who would but be at the cost and pains to buy and read it And now if any one by the reading hereof shall find himself to be mistaken and out of the right way it will be his advantage to be guided into it It is better to run again than to run amiss Melius est recurrere quam male currere and to beginne all again than to end that which being ended will be to no purpose And for others that are in the right way albeit they may be hereby somwhat affrighted and shaken yet it Bonum est timere will make to their faster settlement at last The last chapter of the Book * Hag. 2. 7. 9 Eph. 5. 6. Prov. 28. 14 is a peece of another mans an Addition to the fourth chapter of the Book for the further clearing of this point That true Grace doth not lye in the degree or quantity but in the nature and quality And it is like to the man learned indeed All the defects and mistakes of my part of the work must be imputed to me the Printer All the good of it if any bee therein must be attributed much of it to other men some living some dead from whom I borrowed it But be it whose it will if you get any good by it give to God the glory for to him it doth belong And look on me as a poor well wisher to all that enquire what they may doe to be saved W. S. A Table of the Contents of the whole Book A. APpearing to Christ To long for it a sign of Sincerity chap. 7. page 207 Apostasie What induceth to it c. 5. p. 102 103. c. 13. sect 3. C. Christ How to know we are in him c. 9. sect 1 Love of Christ See Loves Conviction What conviction may be in an Hypocrite c. 5. p 84 Wherein this and the conviction of the true Christian differ c. 6. p. 125 Christian Who so indeed How described c. 3. sect 1. c. 9. sect 3 4 5. The weakest Christian c. 9. sect 4 5 The difficulty of the Christian life c. 11 Directions and helps in it c. 11. throughout Conversation Holy conversation a mark of Sincerity c. 8. p. 223 D. Delight in God goodness and good men and their company See Joy Desires What good desires may be in an Hypocrite c. 5 Wherein these and the desires of the true Christian differ c. 7. p. 166 F Faith What faith an Hypocrite may have c. 5. p. 86 Wherein this and the faith of the true Christian differ c 7. p. 152 154 Signs of true faith in Christ c. 7. p. 154. Fear of God What fear of God may be in an Hypocrite c. 5. p. 85 Wherein this and the true fear of God in the true Christian differ c. 7. p. 168 G. God See Fear Love Knowledge Joy c. Grace What there is of true Grace in an Hypocrite c. 4. p. 53 Whether the truth of Grace lye in the degree or nature of it c. 15. throughout Desire of perfection thereof a sign of Sincerity c. 8. sect 11 Grewthin Grace a sign of sincerity c. 7. p. 184 The
they lyed to him with their tongues for their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his Covenant Psal 50. 16. But to the wicked God saith What hast thou to doe to declare my statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction Esay 1. 10 11. c. To what purpose the multitude of your Sacrifices c. Hosea 7. 14 15 16. They have not cryed to me with their heart when they howled on their beds c. they return but not to the most high they are like a deceitfull bow c. Tit. 1. 16. They professe that they know God but in workes they deny him Esay 41. 1 2 3. c. Heare ye ô howse of Iacob which are called by the name of Israell which came forth of the waters of Judah which sweare by the name of the Lord and make mention of the God of Israell but not in truth they call thēselves of the holy City c. thou art obstinate c. 2 Tim. 1. 2. 5. Having a forme of Godlinesse but denying the power thereof 1 Tim. 4. 2. Speaking lyes in Hypocrisie Tit. 1. 10. Deceivers c. Teaching for lucres sake Esay 58. 1 2 3. They seek me daily c. Esay 65. 5 8. Which say stand by thy selfe come not neare to me for I am holier then thou Mich. 3. 11. They leane upon the Lord and say c. Psal 106. 12. Then believed they his words They sang his praise they soon forgat his workes c. Mat. 7. 22. Luke 13. 27. Not every one that saith Lord Lord c. In thy name have we prophecied cast out Devills and done wonderfull things We have eaten and dranke in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets c. I know you not c. Such were the whole Nation of the Jewes that professed themselves to be Gods people and did not live like his people that gloryed in their having of the Law of God and kept it not that they were the Children of Abraham but did not walk in his steps that boasted of the Temple and worship but were unholy in their lives that came of Israel but were not the Israel of God nor true Israelites indeed Esay 10. 6. Rom 9. 6 7 8. Gal 6. 10. Io. 1. 46 47. Rom 2. 23 29. Esay 41. 1. Io 8. 33. Mat 3. 9. Such were the Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 23. 13. c. and 15. 7 8 9. The five foolish Virgins Mat. 25. 1 2. c. The three sorts of bad Hearers Luke 8. 12 13 14. And such are they that are spoken of in Psal 69. called the enemies of David and Christ and his Church v. 4. under the name of his Brethren and Mothers Children v. 8. and in Psal 139. throughout So in Psal 58. throughout 2 Pe. 2. 3. Col 2. 22. Iob 27. 8 9 10. Iosh 1. 16. Deut. 5. 20. And such are Intended by the Tares and bad fish in Mat 13. 25 38 48. And the house built upon the sand Mat 7. 23 24 25. Of such is it spoken Amos 5. 21. Micha 6. 7. Hosea 9. 4. and 8. 13. Ier 5. 1 2 3. and 9. 10. and 7. 21. Phil 1. 18. Psal 58. 1 2. Ezek. 1. 2. c. Ier. 11. 15. Mat. 7. 15. Rom. 16. 17 18. Acts 20. 30. Esay 66. 1 2 3 c. Esay 42. 1 2 3. c. 43. 24. Ezech 14 1 2. Psal 35. 16. compared with Psal 41. 6. And in divers other places of Scripture And all these in Scripture sense and in some degree are to be accounted Hypocrites And these Hypocrites in Scripture Language are How called called and said to be fooles Mat. 23. 17. Sinners evill doers Esay 1 4. Wicked and ungodly Jude 4. Psal 50. 16. Prov 15. 8. The children of the Divell Jo 8. 44. 1 Jo 3. 12. Devils Jo 6. 70. A generation of vipers Mat 3. 7. and 12. 34. The perverse Pro 12. 8. Such as are without the Spirit of Christ Jude ver 19. Such as forget God Psal 50. 16 22. Reprobates 2 Tim 3. 8. Out of Christ for he knoweth them not Mat. 7. 23. Treacherous Jer. 12. 1 2. Deceitfull Psal 109. 2. Unbelievers Jo 6. 64. 70. Workers of Iniquity Matth. 7. 23. And all this is true of them and therefore hereby also we may see who is not a child of God or in Christ but a Reprobate a wicked person or a Child of the Divell We will now passe to the sorts or kinds of Hypocrisie and Sincerity CHAP. II. Of the severall kinds of Hypocrisy and Sincerity And of the Severall sorts of Hypocrites HYpocrisie and so Sincerity also as to the kinds thereof are considerable in men diverse wayes 1. In reference to the man in whom it is in generall as it respects his heart in what he doth whether he be rotten or sound therein So Christ calleth the Pharises Hypocrites in Mat. 23. often 2. With reference to the matter wherein it is acted and sheweth it selfe And so it is considerable also Either in relation to the inward affections and motions of the heart or the words of the mouth or the works of the hands It is considerable as to the affections and motions of the heart within whether they be indeed as they seem to be in shew by the words and works without For a man may pretend to true Faith Love Repentance and other Graces and works of the Spirit whereof there may be some appearance or likenesse upon him and which he may think he hath in truth within him but hath it not indeed nor any thing but the picture and Image thereof only For there are some things like to that are not saving Graces and there is no saving Grace in truth in a Saint but there may be and is the likenesse of it in an Hypocrite There are naturall gifts and works arising from the naturall constitution and temper of a man And so a man may be naturally meeke loving kind mercifull curteous and peaceable There may be and are many very commendable qualities wrought in a man by Education reading example and the like And hereby some have attained to virtues like to saving Graces And there are Spirituall Gifts or common operations of the spirit of God distinct from saving grace which is called unfeighned grace 1 Tim. 1. 5. Acts 8 37. The grace of Gods Elect and Grace which doth accompany Salvation Tit. 1. 1. Heb. 6. 9. And so a man may have the appearance of any saving Grace and yet not have the Grace it selfe Mat. 23. 27 28. Jo. 2. 24. Psal 78. 36 7. Acts 8. 21 23. Psal 136. 11 12 13. Exod 14. 31. Rom. 12. 9. 2. Hypocrisie and Sincerity also are considerable as to the words whether they be so in the intention of the Speaker in themselves and may produce the effect they doe prima facie seeme to be and to produce Or they be not lyes spoken in Hypocrisie 1 Tim.
named particulars within this Section See Numb 23. 10. Let me dye the death of the Righteous Numb 24. 2 3 c. 1 Cor 11. 30 31 32. For this cause many are weake c. If we would judge our selves c. but when we are judged we are chastned of the Lord that we be not condemned c. which would seem to have this intimation that notwithstanding all your gifts Parts and progresse in Christianity if you have secret evills and do not labour to find them out and judge your selves for them you may be condemned with the world 1 Cor 15. 19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ c. which words seem to imply thus much That if all our Parts gifts desires works c. reach and look no farther and last no longer then for this present life that our Faith Hope c. be but temporary moved from and carried to something that is not beyond this life we are in a sad case it will doe us no more good then the wealth glory and good things which Dives had Luke 16. 25. Io. 6. 27. 1 Cor 13. 8 13. 1 Pet. 1. 22 24 25. Seeing ye have purified c. Being borne again not of Corruptible seed c. By which words are intimated thus much That unlesse you manifest the work of the spirit within you in obedience to the truth by having your hearts purifyed and by an unfeyned pure and fervent love of the Saints beyond that work which is wrought in the hearts of Hypocrites you will not have the evidence within you of that Regeneration which is true and effectually wrought of God by his spirit through the word by which there is effected an immortall seed of Grace that abideth for ever But if it be only some morall vertues or common gifts be they never so excellent and glorious that have the face of the new Creature and he in whom they are be not a new Creature indeed they are reckoned with God but as flesh which is as grâ—sse and the flower of the field they will doe a man no more good nor last any longer then riches honours and such like things which are but for this life only Phil. 3. 4 5. 2 Pe. 3. 4 It is said Psal 106. 11 12. then believed they his words that is when they had seen such signall manifestations of Gods power and working for them against their enemies they were for the present as full of Faith in God his promise and joy as a bladder of wind they soon forgat c. it had no root nor well grounded principle they fell back But lusted exceedingly c. Mat. 13. 21 22. Phill 3. 4 5 19. 1 Tim 6. 5. 2 Pe. 3 4. Exod 14. 31. compared with 15. 23 24. Numb 13. 26 27. c. 14. 1. 27. c. And thus he may strive in his inward as well as in his outward man to enter into heaven and not be able Luke 13. 24. SECT IV. What it is that doth carry the Hypocrite thus farre And why he goeth no farther If it be asked how it comes to passe that an Hypocrite doth goe so farre We answer 1. That he may be drawn or driven to it by some or all of these following means 1. He may be drawn hereunto by the work of his naturall Conscience Rom 2. 15. Rom. 1. 32. For when the Gentiles that have not the law doe by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law to themselves which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their Consciences also bearing witnesse c. Prov. 20. 27. The spirit of a man is the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the belly Or by occasion and reason of some eminent and miraculous work of God done before their eyes Io. 4. 41 44 45 46. c. Except ye see signes and wonders ye will not believe or by occasion of some eminent work of Gods Providence done for his people or against their enemies or by the feare of death or some great affliction upon him Psal 78. 34. When he flew them then they sought him c. Psal 106. 11 12. And the waters covered their enemies c. then believed they his words they sang his praise they soon forgat his works c. Or by occasion of some light breaking in and some powerfull conviction upon the Conscience by the word and Spirit of God whereby it is pressed and moved to doe what it doth Perhaps it cannot otherwise be in peace It may be it is convinced there are some good and desireable things to be had and duties to be done in the profession of the Christian Faith and happily it may find more temporall good in such a life then in a wicked loose life 2. He may be moved or brought hereunto by Education discipline or example of Parents or such like persons under whom he hath been brought up So by Education many Creatures have been brought to be quite contrary to their nature and so doe many strange things And by this means he hath perhaps taken in some truths and taken up a profession or customary practise of doing some good And by custome herein he hath as it were gotten another nature and now doth act almost as freely as he that acts Naturally by grace and so he doth continue till by strength of temptation he be taken off and so discovered Luke 8. 12 13 14. This seems to be the case of Joash who continued good all the dayes of Jehoiadah 2 Kings 12. 2. This being that which moved him when this was gone his Action ceased 3. But there are many carnall and corrupt ends that draw in and bring on so many into a profession of Religion and that doth make them to engage so farre as to follow Christ a great way and a great while therein For some enter into a profession of Religion out of a designe and desire to doe mischiefe in it And this sometimes doth make men act vigorously as if Religion were their principall aime So some â—â—ve joyned themselves to the Church of Christ and preached and made profession of the Gospell of purpose to destroy the Gospell and overthrow the Church of Christ Gal. 2. 4. False brethren c. who came in privily c. that they might bring us into bondage Phil 1. 16 17. Some preach Christ of envy c. supposing to add afflictions to my bonds that is by drawing away the more to the Profession of the Gospell and so enraging the enemy the more against mee or by exalting and preferring of themselves before me so as to hinder the fruit of my Ministry Some engage in a profession of Religion that thereby they might cover some wickednesse they are intending to doe or in doing Prov. 7. 14. 1 Kings 21. 9 12. But most commonly and most men herein are carried forth in their profession of Religion from selfe love to and for selfe-ends as
commandement of God and rebelled against him Isa 58. 6 7 8. Gen. 4. 13 14. 2 Much after the same manner is the repentance and sorrow of the Saints upon their particular falls into gross sins Psal 51. 1. And for their daily weaknesses and frailties there is a daily and continual repentance and mourning for it Rom 7. 24. SECT XIII 12 In their Humilitie The true Christian must be and is of an humble and lowly frame of spirit and hath low and mean thoughts of himself and of his own works and worth and hath an humble confidence in the free Grace of God in Christ only for all the good he looks for here and hereafter Mat. 18. 8. Psal 131 1. Gen. 32. 10. The Hypocrite we grant hath a kind of humility also Col. 2. 18 23. The difference between them lyeth in this 1 The true Christian being truly humble doth declare it by his whole conversation in word deed Psal 131. 2. Neither doe I exercise my self in great matters or in things too high for me The Hypocrites humility is shewed onely in some particulars and in other things he sheweth himselfe very proud Mat 23. 5 6. The true Christian doth prefer other men and their gifts before himself and his own gifts and hath an honourable esteem of all such as are of worth but suspecteth himself 1 Tim. 1. 15. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the chief Luke 18. 13. But the Hypocrite having high thoughts of himself and his works and worth â—tusts to himself and despiseth others better than himself Luke 18. 11. The Phaiisee stood up and praied thus with himself God I thank thee that I am not as other men are Extortioners unjust adulterers or even as this Publican Hab. 2. 4. Behold his soul that is lifted up is not upright in him c. SECT XIV 13 In their joy and delight in God The true Christian doth may and must rejoice and delight in God and Christ and in the things of God 1 Chron. 29. 9. 17. Psal 119. 47. But the Hypocrite hath also some delight and joy in God and in his Word c. But there is a great difference between this affection in the one and in the other 1 The true Christian doth rejoice and delight in God and Christ and the matters of God for themselves and the goodness and holiness therof Psal 27. 1 2 c. Psal 63. 1 2 c. and 84. 2 3 c. Rom. 7. 22. But the Hypocrite doth not delight in God at all Iob 27. 10. Will he delight himself in the Almighty Or if his delight be in the Word of God it is for some good it seems to hold forth or that he apprehends in it to himself 2 The delight and sweetness that is wrought in the heart of the true Christian ariseth from an inward principle or new nature that is within him which was formed by the power of the Spirit of Christ Ps 110. 3. But there is none of this in the Hypocrite for he is without the Spirit of Christ Jude 19. and he was never changed by it 3 The joy and delight of the true Christian is a deep large and transcendent joy Ps 119. 14. 72. Phil. 4 7. It passeth all understanding Ps 71. 23. Psal 4 7. But the joy of the Hypocrite is but a shallow sleight and superficiall joy compared to the taste of a thing Heb. 6. 10. He hath much more joy and delight in his just as Iudas in his covetousness and Herod in his Herodias than in God and the things of God Psal 4. 8. 4 The joy of a true Christian is a clear and pure joy and there is no sorrow in it Prov. 10. 22 But the joy of the Hypocrite is an obscure and mixed joy Prov. 14. 13. Even in laughter their heart is sorrowful c. 5 It is in the upright accompanied with godly sorrow that goeth before or with it Psal 2. 11. Acts 2. 37 38. But all the joy that is in the heart of the temporary is without this as in Herod Mark 6. 20. Ezek. 33. 32. Mat. 13. 20. 6 The joy of the upright man grows up by grees and leisurely Acts 2 37. 38 46. Isa 64. 5. But the Hypocrites joy is up and very high upon a suddain Mat. 13 20. 7 The joy of a sincere man is a lasting and permanent joy Isa 35. 10. Psal 35 10. But the joy of the Hypocrite is but for a moment it is soon up and soon down Job 20. 5. Mat. 13. 20 21. Psal 106. 12. 13. Then beleeved they his words they sang his praise they soon forgat his works c. 8 There is strength in the joy of the sincere man Neh 8. 10. For it will help him to bear his cross Rom. 5. 1 2. Psal 119 92. Phil. 4. 7. But otherwise it is of the Hypocrites joy for when tribulation comes he falls off and hath no strength to bear it Mat 13. 21. Luke 8. 31. 9 It will make him that is sincere more carefull and active for God whiles he is on his feet and when he falls it will help to recover him Luke 1. 74 78 79. Acts 9. 18 19 20. Psal 119. 32 93. Psal 77. 6. SECT XV. 14 In their desires The true Christian hath and must have good desires motions and dispositions to good Ps 37. 4. Isa 26. 8 9. 2 Cor. 7. 11. The Hypocrite also hath somewhat like to this Numb 23. 10. Joh. 6. 34. Luke 14. 15. But there is a great difference 1 Those desires of the sincere Christian are eager and earnest 1 Cor. 14. 1. Psal 42. 1. As the Hart panteth c. Cant. 2. 5. I am sick of love Psal 143. 7 and 119. 20. Mat 5. 4 6. But these of the Hypocrite are weak and faint desires that can away with delay and denial Numb 23. 10. Iohn 5. 34 35 36. 2 The desires of the upright are laborious and diligent desires that make a man industrious in the use of all means to attain them as in the bodily hunger which will break through stone walls as that in Paul Phil. 3. 8 9. I count all things but losse c. and dung to win Christ verse 13 14. I presse towards the mark c. and David Ps 119 20 40 c. But these of the Hypocrite are sloggish and he is notwithstanding them lazie like to the sluggard Prov. 21. 22. 26 and 13. 5. So those Iohn 6. 34 35. So Balaam Numb 23. 10. desired to die the death but would not take the pains to live the life of the righteous 3 The true desires are constant and restless desires Psal 119. 20. My soul breaketh for c. at all times Psal 84. 2. My soul longeth c. But these of the Hypocrite are unconstant and sickle desires Iames 1. 7 8. a double minded man is unstable c. and he is like a deceitful bow Hosea 6. 16. SECT XVI 15 In their
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