,transcribed from the #ahbf ,r4 ,weston edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,many thanks to the ,bodleian ,library for allowing their copy to be consulted4 ,picture3 ,public domain book cover ,,is ,,this ,,your ,,likeness8 ,a ,scriptural ,definition ,,of ,,hypocrisy ,,and ,,sincerity4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,by ,j4 ,,church4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,what ,,saith ,,the ,,scripture8 8,,trust ,,me ,i ,,draw ,,the ,,likeness ,,true ,,and ,,not ,,as ,,fancy ,,paints40 99 99 99 99 99 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,r4 ,,weston1 ,,queen',s ,,gardens1 ,,crosby ,,row1 ,,southwark4 #ahbf4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,is ,,this ,,your ,,likeness8 8,,as ,,we ,,have ,,borne ,,the ,,image ,,of ,,the ,,earthly ,,so ,,shall ,,we ,,also ,,bear ,,the ,,image ,,of ,,the ,,heavenly40 ,,the great and excellent ,mr4 ,toplady remarks on painting-- #a4 ,when a portrait painter takes a likeness1 there most be an original from whom to take it4 ,here the original are ,god and ,christ4 #8,when ,i awake up after thy likeness1' c42 and1 we are 8predestinated to be conformed to the image of his ,son40 #b4 ,the painter changes the materials on which he will delineate his piece4 ,there are paintings on wood1 on glass1 on metals1 on ivory1 on canvass4 ,so ,god chooses and selects the persons1 on whom his uncreated spirit shall1 with the pencil of effectual grace1 re-delineate that holy likeness which ,adam lost4 ,among these are some1 whose natural capacities1 and acquired improvements1 are not of the first-rate3 there the image of ,god is painted on wood4 ,others of ,god's people have not those quick sensibilities1 and poignant feelings1 by which many are distinguished3 there the ,holy ,spirit's painting is on marble4 ,others are permitted to fall from the ardour of their first love1 and to deviate from their stedfastness3 there the ,holy ,spirit paints on glass1 which1 perhaps1 the first stone of temptation may injure4 ,but the celestial ,artist will1 in time1 repair those breaches1 and restore the frail brittle ,christian1 to his original enjoyments1 and to more than his original purity2 and1 what may seem truly wonderful1 divine grace restores the picture1 by breaking it over again4 ,it is the broken-hearted sinner to whom ,god will impart the comforts of salvation4 #c4 ,the ancients painted only in water-colours2 but the moderns 7from about ,a4,d4 #acbj7 have added beauty and durability to their pictures1 by painting them in oil4 ,applicable to hypocrites and true believers4 ,an hypocrite may outwardly bear something that resembles the image of ,god2 but it is only in fresco1 or water colours1 which do not last2 and are1 at best1 laid on by the hand of dissimulation4 ,but 7if ,i may accommodate so familiar an idea to so high a subject7 the ,holy ,spirit paints in oil2 he accompanies his work with unction and with power1 and hence it shall be crowned with honour1 and praise1 and glory1 at ,christ's appearing4 #d4 ,all pictures are not of one size4 ,there are various dimensions1 from the miniature to the full length4 ,so in grace below4 #e4 ,all pictures are not framed alike2 some are gilt1 some are plain1 and some have no frames at all4 ,remember1 that as the value of a picture does not depend on the frame1 but on the execution of the piece itself1 so your happiness and holiness does not depend on your outward station or condition1 but on the work of grace wrought in your soul by the ,holy ,spirit4 #f4 ,some pictures are highly varnished2 some not4 ,some believers are learned1 elegant and polite4 ,others1 who yet are believers still1 want those unessential embellishments4 ,see this contrasted in ,mr4 ,hervey and ,mr4 ,bunyan1 yet both shine alike in the kingdom of ,god4 #g4 ,all pictures do not bear an equally strong resemblance of their original4 ,nor are all ,christians equally conformed1 at present1 to ,christ4 ,in some1 the canvass is but preparing2 they are only under the first drawings of the ,spirit4 ,in others there are rude outlines1 or a mere sketch1 not yet filled up3 but the colours are preparing1 and1 in due time1 they will be laid on4 ,others are so far advanced1 that a few touches more will fit them for the skies4 ,and others1 which are completely finished1 are in heaven1 to be part of the living furniture of ,god's palace to all eternity4 ,and1 what these are the rest shall be4 #h4 ,a fine painting is seldom finished at once4 ,successive sittings are usually required1 and repeated touches of the artist4 ,grace rarely does its work all at once4 ,the thief indeed1 on the cross1 received the divine image at a single sitting2 and in others1 whom ,god may call at the eleventh or even the twelfth hour1 the work may be cut short in righteousness4 ,but1 generally speaking1 our consummation in grace resembles the progress of a building1 which is gradually raised1 and carried up from the foundation1 part by part4 ,rome was not built in a day4 #i4 ,the ground-work of a picture undergoes a preparation before the colours are superinduced4 ,it is washed1 or cleared1 or boiled in oil1 according to the nature of the material4 ',ere we are susceptible of the image of the heavenly1 the soul must experience a preparatory work of conviction4 ,prejudices must be cleared away2 enmity slain1 c4 #aj4 ,to discern and admire the beauty of a picture1 a person must have three things--eyes1 light1 and taste1 7or a susceptibility of receiving pleasure from a beautiful object47 ,the world1 spiritually speaking1 want all the three4 ,hence their hatred of ,god's children4 #aa4 ,some ,christians are like paintings in ,mosaic4 ,they have somewhat almost of every thing1 except uniformity and consistency of conduct4 ,but1 when their hearts come to be established with grace1 they will be more of a-piece2 and1 when in heaven1 they will be all of a-piece4 #ab4 ,a number of heterogeneous1 and seemingly contradictory1 ingredients are used by painters in mixing their colours2 but they are all useful1 expedient1 and necessary4 ,so are the various providences of ,god toward his people4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the providence of ,god having called me to a more intimate acquaintance with the ,lord's tried ones than falls to the lot of ministers in general1 ,i have long heard the voices of their complaints and their fears2 and amongst the rest has been this--lest they should be nothing but hypocrites after all their profession and experience2 while with great grief ,i have seen many who have no fears upon the subject1 but appear to be bold1 hardened and presumptuous hypocrites4 ,i determined1 by the ,lord's assistance1 in as clear and scriptural a manner as ,i possibly could1 to point out the sincere believer1 with all his feelings1 frames1 corruptions1 infirmities1 and temptations1 his falls1 recoveries and conflicts1 in direct opposition to an hypocrite1 in his attainment1 confidence1 hardness1 deceit and pride1 that my reader may be able in looking on these pictures to decide to which of these he belongs--that the poor in spirit may be comforted1 and the hypocrite may1 by divine light1 discover himself and be made sincere1 is my humble aim4 ,in the many points in which these two differ would fill a volume4 ,i can only in this small treatise shew some few guided by the word of truth1 in which it is impossible to err2 and it is to be lamented1 that in the present state we cannot always find in the course of our observation who are and who are not either the one or the other4 ,this can never be fully known till that important period arrives spoken of by the prophet2 8,then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked1 between him that serveth ,god and him that serveth him not40 ,yet for our own personal comfort and for the honour of that grace that has made us sincere it is our business to search for scriptural evidences of that sincerity1 that we may rejoice in that super-abounding which has made us to differ from those who are awfully denominated hypocrites in ,zion4 ,the best way to decide a character is by the word of ,god4 ,many good men have written upon the subject1 but some of them have carried the subject too far and distressed the ,lord's tempted people4 ,but1 8what saith the scripture10 should be our enquiry4 ,this should decide all subjects relative to character1 whether sincere or hypocritical4 ,let us notice what is said of such and take no man's opinion besides4 ,the terms hypocrite1 hypocrisy1 hypocritical1 hypocrites1 occur thirty-five times in the ,bible1 and not one text can possibly belong to the humble broken-hearted sincere seeker of the friendship and favour of ,god4 ,i will quote all that is necessary1 with one short remark on them4 ,isaiah #cb1 vi4--8,his heart will work iniquity to practice hypocrisy30 these are those who set forth false doctrine1 worship and discipline1 in opposition to the truth as it is in ,christ1 to make men believe1 they are very holy1 devout and religious2 for it is added1 8to utter error against the ,lord30 this is hypocrisy4 ,such are also described in ,isaiah #i1 xvii4--,fearfulness1 dread and surprise shall seize such characters4 ,isaiah #cc1 xix4--,the apostle ,paul alludes to them4 #a ,tim4 iv4 #b4--8,speaking lies in hypocrisy20 which plainly by the connection refers to ,anti-,christ1 the man of sin1 the lying system of popery4 ,but the wisdom which is from above is pure and without hypocrisy4 ,james #c1 xvii4 ,and the apostle ,peter well knowing the hypocrisy that is in the hearts of real believers1 exhorts to lay aside all dissembling among each other1 as unbecoming their genuine character4--#a ,peter ii4 #a4 ,one of the awful threatenings pronounced against ,israel of old is this--8,i will send him against an hypocritical nation10 a people who professed the service of ,god1 but whose hearts were far from him1 who in heart hated both ,god1 his ways1 and his truths4--,isaiah x4 #f4 ,such was the degenerate state of that nation4 8,for every one is an hypocrite and an evil-doer40--,isaiah ix4 #ag4 ,in heart1 haters of ,christ4 ,david met with such in his time1 and prophecied of their spite and hypocrisy to ,christ4 ,psalm xxxv4 #af4--8,with hypocritical mockers in feasts they gnashed upon me with their teeth40 ,which was fulfilled in the same abominable characters2 for the psalm belongs to ,christ1 and contains a complaint of the conduct of the enemies of his person1 mission1 miracles1 work and truth4 ,in ,job's days there were many2 yea1 congregations of them--the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate4 ,these persons are also called the tabernacles of bribery1 who hope to bribe divine justice with a few dead works of their own--too proud to submit to the righteousness of the mediator--staying themselves on their own supposed goodness1 they hope to be saved in whole or in part by it2 8but the hope of the hypocrite shall perish40--,job viii4 #ai4 ,and as he reject the mediator between ,god and man1 8an hypocrite shall not come before him40--,job xiii4 #af4 ,he may indeed rejoice in his good name and false confidence1 but that lamp will be out in death and leave him in possession of all his guilt unpardoned4 8,for what is the hope of the hypocrite when ,god taketh him away1 although he has gained the applause of the world80--,job xxvii4 #h4 8,the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment40 ,job xx4 #e4 ,and every spiritual man who is divinely acquainted with the truth shall oppose such characters and their false foundations4 ,job xvii4 #h--8,the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite40 ,for as he is an hypocrite in profession1 in heart and in life1 so also in the church and in the world2 for if a man is not sound in heart1 towards ,god and truth1 he cannot be very sincere towards his neighbour2 and whence arise so much slander1 backbiting and evil speaking in the churches but from such characters4 ,these troubled the churches in the apostles' days4 ,paul1 ,peter1 ,james1 ,john and ,jude bore their testimony against them2 for 8an hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour40--,prov4 xi4 #i4 ,and although many such may be in great power1 and have obtained that dignity either in a nation or in the church1 by their pretended humanity1 care and tenderness towards a people1 as ,absalom did1 when he rose up in rebellion against his father1 and by a pretended affection for the people1 and speedily vindicating their cause--yet he reigned not long4 ,job xxxix4 #c--,that the hypocrite reign not1 lest the people be ensnared4 ,such in a profession got into the churches of ,corinth and ,galatea1 and was no small affliction to the mind of ,paul2 for by artful insinuations they raised a prejudice in the minds of the churches against the very apostle who had been the means of their conversion4 ,thus1 like their father1 the devil1 they did his work first by insinuation1 7for a whisperer separateth chief friends7 and then more openly2 but ,i would they were cut off that trouble you4 ,let not the hypocrite reign lest the people be ensnared1 which was the case in both churches1 and is the very case at the present day4 ,nearly twenty times in the ,new ,testament our ,saviour accused the ,pharisees of hypocrisy1 because they were really hypocrites1 and nothing else4 ,the word1 according to the learned1 comes from the ,greek1 hypocrisis1 it is counterfeiting religion and virtue--an affectation of the name and hatred to the thing--the having the form of godliness but denying the power4 ,thus1 he is an hypocrite who pretends to be what he is not--who puts on a false person like the actor in tragedy or comedy--as a beggar may act a king1 or a coward an hero4 ,but the chief enemies our dear ,lord had were the ,pharisees1 whose characters are drawn by an unerring hand2 they imposed many severe injunctions1 rites and ceremonies above what the law required2 but they never did the least part of them themselves4 ,what they did was only for ostentation to be seen of men2 they hid their crying sins1 under the appearance of virtue1 that they might sin with less suspicion4 ,whited sepulchres1 within nothing but sordid dust4 ,they were exact in trifling matters--zealous in all outward forms of religious worship1 but totally neglected all acts of justice1 mercy and truth2 they studied an external purity of hands1 pots and dishes1 but strangers to heart-felt purity2 they pretended a deal of respect to the ancient prophets1 who were faithful to ,god and truth1 yet hated1 persecuted and murdered the ,god of the prophets4 ,on them in one chapter the ,saviour pronounced eight awful woes--told them of their dreadful end--the destruction of their temple and city--and then left that place for ever4 ,hypocrites are said to pray only to ,god in the time of sickness3 and will ,god hear their cry8 ,no--the foolish virgins1 after their long profession1 cried 8,lord1 ,lord1 open1 to us30 but the ,lord would not hear4 ,having stated what the scripture says of hypocrites and hypocrisy1 ,i only appeal to any humbly enlightened believer--what has such a definition of character to do with one is in any degree taught of ,god1 is blessed with the fear of ,god1 has fled for refuge to the atonement and righteousness of ,christ1 and who is most sincerely seeking1 longing1 looking1 and waiting for the manifestation of his love1 favour and goodwill4 ,i must say to such dejected ones1 as ,elihu to ,job--8,although though sayest ,i shall not see him1 yet judgment is before him1 therefore trust thou in him40 ,that there have been hypocrites in the church in all ages is very evident4 ,cain got into the first--,ham in ,noah's family--,ishmael and ,esau into the next--,corah1 ,dathan1 ,abiram1 ,nadab1 and ,abihu in the camp of ,israel--,saul and ,ahithophel in ,david's time4 ,solomon detected1 and in his writings exposed many ,judas amongst the apostles4 ,alexander ,hymenus1 ,philetus1 ,hermogenes and ,demas1 with many false apostles and deceitful workers in ,paul's days4 ,but this argues nothing against the religion of the ,son of ,god2 and although ignorant and carnal persons pretend to object to religion1 because so many hypocrites profess it--this very objection proves such persons to be hypocrites themselves4 ,what1 would any man throw away a handful of good silver because he had found one bad shilling amongst them8 ,the carnal mind is enmity1 but too proud to own it2 and all the outcry raised by the carnal world is merely designed to conceal the wretched enmity of their hearts to the truth as it is in ,christ4 ,a question has been asked1 can a person be an hypocrite and not know it8 ,i answer1 no1 by no means4 ,did not ,saul know he was acting the hypocrite in his concession to ,david8 ,did not ,judas know that he was planning to sell the ,savour's blood at the very time he eating the passover with him1 and hearing his most heavenly discourses8 ,did not ,jacob know he was deceiving his ,father1 when he said1 8,i am thy son ,esau80 ,did not ,david know that he was not mad1 when he pretended to be so to save his life8 ,every person can tell1 whether they most sincerely desire1 from a feeling sense of need1 a sense of pardoning mercy1 and the enjoyment of ,god's favour2 or whether they profess religion for any other purpose1 let it be what it will4 ,it is to be lamented that many sincere characters have been guilty of hypocritical actions1 and yet be sincere4 ,witness ,abraham1 ,jacob1 ,david and others4 ,so also may hypocrites do many praise-worthy actions1 and yet be hypocrites4 ,such are not real members1 but mere excressences of the ,church like falling hair or the parings of the nail4 ,when ,satan suggests to a believer1 he is nothing but an hypocrite1 his only remedy is by prayer and supplication to ,god1 to make him sincere--and as to the world charging him with being an hypocrite1 because they have fallen out with him1 they are no judges neither of sincerity nor hypocrisy1 only let us before ,god1 the ,church and the world1 walk as consistently as possible1 and let dogs bark on nor heed their howlings1 the love of ,christ in the heart will suffer that ,she nor desires1 nor seeks to know ,the scandals of the time2 ,nor look with pride on those below1 ,nor envy those that climb4 ,one of our old divines has reckoned up thirty-two different species of hypocrites1 and if there are as many thousand1 it is an awful proof that the heart is deceitful above all things1 and desperately wicked4 ,who but ,god knows it8 ,but that the professing ,church abound with it1 is too evident2 for instance3-- ,how many can shape their religion according to the times1 like the ,vicar of ,bray2 he was a ,papist in the reign of ,henry ,,viii2 when the nation turned ,protestant1 the vicar turned also2 when queen ,mary came to the throne he turned ,papist1 and after her death and ,elizabeth succeeded1 he turned ,protestant again2 and being questioned about it1 he said1 he had nothing to do but with his vicarage--,vicar of ,bray ,i was1 ,vicar of ,bray ,i am1 and ,vicar of ,bray ,i will be1 whatever king reign4 ,such alas1 we should find hundreds1 were such changes again to take place in civil and ecclesiastical affairs4 ,but are not such hypocrites8 ,when a church clergyman swears to the doctrinal articles of that church1 and declares he is moved by the ,holy ,ghost to take upon him that office1 and yet hates some of the leading doctrines1 and ridicules the work of ,god1 the ,holy ,spirit1 upon the hearts of men as enthusiasm1 he is an hypocrite4 ,when ,dissenters1 ,independents1 or ,baptists profess ,calvinism1 yet are shy of the doctrines of truth1 and swerve to the system of ,arminianism1 they are hypocrites4 ,when such profest ,calvinists sneeringly treat the grand doctrines of truth1 as high doctrines1 and thereby raise prejudices in the minds of their hearers against the truth as mere high notions1 and those that preach it1 they are hypocrites4 ,when ministers accommodate their sermons to different sects and parties1 to please men contrary to conscience1 they are hypocrites4 ,this reminds me of an anecdote1 too true it is to be feared1 when a minister came to a certain town to preach1 one of the managers of the chapel visited him1 and told him1 he hoped he would not be very high in his sentiments2 because1 added he1 you will see an old gentlemen in such a seat with a gold headed cane--he cannot bear the doctrine of the ,trinity4 ,and in another pew sits an old lady with a muff1 she hates the doctrine of election1 and as they are great subscribers to the place1 it is a pity to offend them4 ,and besides1 you know1 ,sir1 you can preach about a good many things besides4 ,to comply to such ,pharisees is the most arrant hypocrisy1 and the man that would thus accommodate such1 is an ,,hypocrite4 ,taking up the ministry1 for a piece of bread1 for popularity1 for respect1 for a rich wife1 or for any sordid purposes1 such persons are ,,hypocrites4 ,setting out in the ministry with sound truth1 but sound truth becoming unpopular1 and with a view to avoid reproach1 as an ,antinomian in principle1 mingling grace and works1 law and gospel1 ,calvinism and ,arminianism1 to keep up the name of being reputable1 is ,,hypocrisy4 ,persons coming into a profession1 taking up religion for connection1 trade1 or for any other profit in temporal things1 is an ,,hypocrite4 ,pleading for holiness1 morality1 duty and consistency2 yet living in secret sin1 as his real element1 though unknown to others1 is an ,,hypocrite4 ,searching out1 spreading abroad1 scandalizing1 and rejoicing in the real or supposed falls1 sins and infirmities of others1 to cover their own sins1 such are ,,hypocrites4 ,pretenders to universal love to all1 at the same time haters of truth1 those who preach it boldly1 and profess it sincerely1 are ,,hypocrites4 ,making an outcry against one sin and living in another1 for instance1 a covetous professor may storm against the sin of drunkenness2 why1 because he loves his money so inordinately--yet will not scruple to drink occasionally a little too much at another person's expence1 this is ,,hypocrisy4 ,persons who would almost starve a wife1 children1 servants1 and apprentices at home1 to gain money1 that they may have a good name by subscribing liberally to religious or civil society1 are ,,hypocrites4 ,but1 alas6 there is no end to the hypocrisy of the human heart4 ,the only cure is grace enabling a man to set ,god always before him1 and cause him daily to walk in simplicity and godly sincerity--thus to have his conversation in this world4 ,i once more remark1 when professors gives themselves up to idleness1 going from house to house1 busy-bodies in other men's matters1 presume upon the providence of ,god1 and boast that they live by faith--that this promise1 and the other1 has been applied to them1 and so expect to be fed as ,elijah was by the ravens1 such mumping professors1 are ,,hypocrites4 ,when persons unhumbled1 unrenewed by grace1 suddenly leap up into full assurance of faith1 without any chastening from the law or tenderness of conscience1 a few scraps of divinity in the head1 and at the same time treat with contempt the meek1 the dejected1 the broken-hearted seeker1 thinking lightly of contrition1 godly sorrow and repentance1 unto life or obedience of faith1 such are ,,hypocrites4 ,when a person1 whether a public or private character1 scandalizes another on account1 or rather envying his fame1 usefulness or popularity1 taking every opportunity to degrade his person1 actions1 or reputation1 although unknown to the calumniator1 he is an ,,hypocrite4 ,those who pretend much love to ,god1 while he is pleased to bless them in providence1 but leave their profession when ,god is pleased to cross them1 such are like children won with an apple and lost with a nut1 such love is soon kindled and soon quenched1 turn enemies to ,god and his truths when their expectations fail1 such are ,,hypocrites4 ,when persons profess much love to a minister or fellow member in the church1 while in prosperous circumstances1 but when trouble1 persecution1 disgrace1 disrepute or poverty befal them1 they know them no more1 like the cuckoo who will abide with you during the summer1 but when winter approaches1 will take his leave of you1 nor perhaps1 ever own you again4 ,ah6 how unlike the love of ,christ4 ,in general you will find such to be ,,hypocrites4 ,when persons shun those sins that would bring on them public scandal1 and at the same time in love with secret sins1 and spare these1 because no one knows it1 thinking small sins1 if not known1 will do no harm1 yet making a sad outcry against sin1 especially the sins of their neighbours1 such are ,,hypocrites4 ,when persons boast and are proud of their own holy motives1 sincerity of heart1 holiness of life1 purity of conduct1 and a good name in the world1 while destitute of the pardon of their sins1 destitute of the faith of ,god's elect1 whereby the righteousness of ,christ is received1 destitute of the sanctifying teaching of the ,holy ,spirit1 such are ,,hypocrites4 ,but while we view the wretched state and character of the hypocrite1 as set forth in ,god's word1 may we not pray in the devout language of ,david4--8,who can understand his error2 cleanse thou me from my secret faults2 keep back also thy servant from presumptuous sins1 let them not have dominion over me2 so shall ,i be innocent from the great transgression40 ,and as expressed in the ,litany of the ,church of ,england--8and from all hypocrisy1 good ,lord deliver us40 ,the hypocrite thus painted to the life1 we cannot err in the description2 many have been painted by others very differently1 and many have painted themselves1 and sat down to admire their likenesses2 but though painted like ,jezebel at the window 7#b ,kings ix4 #cj71 or their own righteousness like the houses of the great painted with vermilion1 or the hypocrites in the times of ,jeremiah and ,ezekiel1 and in our ,lord's day--,jeremiah xxii4 #ad--;,ezekiel xxiii4 #dj--,matthew vi4 #af4 ,yet the ,lord has threatened that his hand should be upon all such pleasant pictures--,isaiah ii4 #af--;and that he would despise their image because it is not the image of ,christ1 which consists in righteousness1 knowledge and true holiness4 ,the real likeness of ,god's sincere ones is drawn by the same unerring hand4 ,i bless ,god it is not left to the opinions of men2 and should ,i attempt it1 no doubt it would meet with severe criticisms from some1 and mere cant from others2 for a writer observes--8of all the cants which are canted in this canting world1 the cant of hypocrisy is the worst40 ,yet the cant of criticism is the most tormenting4 ,i say not this because ,i am afraid of advancing any truth for fear of censure2 no1 ,i consider censure to be the tax that every public character has to pay to the public if he is in any way useful4 ,i have often been grieved in reading the lives of good men1 written in such a strain as if they were truly perfect in thought1 word and deed1 quite holy and unblameable in every thing4 ,this is not the method the ,holy ,spirit has adopted--in the word1 the graces1 and the failings1 the falls and the renewings1 the sighs1 and the songs of his people are well drawn by the pencil of truth4 ,what they are in ,adam the first1 and what they are in ,christ is clearly delineated4 ,but with all the infirmities they possess it is a mercy the ,holy ,spirit has made them truly sincere2 and this the apostle prays for--8that ye may be sincere and without offence in the day of ,christ40 ,and under this divine influence he rejoices that in all simplicity and godly sincerity he had his conversation in the world2 and hence that important exhortation of pious ,joshua1 8only fear the ,lord in sincerity and truth40 ,and the apostle also exhorts the ,lord's people to keep the gospel feast in sincerity1 and to remember the ,lord's poor1 as a proof their love was sincere towards the ,lord2 to whom also he wishes much grace and peace1 even to all them that love our ,lord ,jesus in sincerity4 ,and as an ornament1 yea1 a principal qualification of an elder1 he mentions in doctrine shewing gravity1 sincerity1 and as new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word1 that they may grow thereby--not only the word but the milk of the word1 that they may grow in knowledge1 faith and love4 ,the word sincerity signifies uprightness and truth4 ,sincerity is opposed to double mindfulness1 when the sentiments of the heart are contrary to the language of the month4 ,the language of ,baalam in blessing the ,israelites was quite the reverse of his heart--he would most gladly have cursed them for the wages of iniquity2 and1 like ,joab who took ,abner aside to speak quietly to him but smote him under the fifth rib that he died2 and like ,judas1 with 8,hail master10 and kissed him and betrayed him into the hands of his enemies4 ,but while this is the case with the hypocrite1 ,god has blest his own children as they are regenerated with sincerity of principle1 sincerity of pursuit1 and in their general deportment sincerity of action4 ,this is the genuine work of the ,holy ,spirit1 the ,lord and giver of life1 who is well acquainted with the persons of ,god's elect1 who were chosen in ,christ before the foundation of the world1 and predestinated to the adoption of sons--to know their sonship in this world1 and to be publicly owned by their ever adorable ,father before assembled worlds--eternally united to ,christ as the ,great ,head of the ,church1 viewed in him complete2 and according to the well ordered covenant of grace1 brought into a state of pardon1 a state of peace and reconciliation1 a state of justification and acceptance with ,god in ,christ1 by ,christ1 through ,christ1 and for ,christ4 ,the ever-adorable most holy ,god the ,spirit graciously undertook to be their teacher1 to take eternal possession of them1 to be in them as a well of water springing up to eternal life--illuminating their minds1 quickening their souls with a principle of life1 subduing their sins1 shewing them the salvation that there is in ,christ1 and at times giving them power to enjoy it--this holy principle which makes its possessor sincere is sometimes denominated faith1 and it is faith unfeigned--sometimes it is called love1 and it is love without dissimulation2 and let the believer be in whatever frame he may1 he is still blessed with these in their degree--these produce humble fear1 holy desires1 great anxiety1 godly sorrow1 fervent breathings1 self abasement1 spiritual meekness1 holy obedience1 love to all the truth and to those that love it--and if a person is in possession of these1 he is truly made by grace sincere4 ,what he is as a sinner he well knows1 nor will ever alter his opinion of himself4 ,many deluded ones may fancy their sinful nature is getting better1 but while such rise in awful pride1 the sincere believer sinks lower and lower in his own estimation in proportion as his spiritual knowledge increases4 ,knowledge and humility are twins in the believer's mind1 and those who are thus favoured can never be barren--,song iv4 #b4 ,in a state of nature ,god's elect in general differ nothing from the greatest reprobate neither in principle nor conduct--they are enemies1 ungodly1 proud1 boasters1 haters1 malicious and slaves to ,satan1 the flesh1 the world and sin4 ,of this the ,holy ,spirit convinces them--of this they are ashamed--for this they feel condemned by the holy law of ,god--from this they are turned1 and being convinced they feel their need of a ,saviour1 a surety1 a better righteousness than their own1 this makes them sincere in their pursuits4 ,to such as these the ,lord speaks--8,hearken unto me ye that follow after righteousness1 ye that seek the ,lord40 ,and as they follow after righteousness so they are said to follow holiness1 to follow the ,lamb who is both the righteousness and the holiness of his church1 and are made sincere by grace4 ,in this pursuit they will not rest4 ,to such as these the gospel invitation is given1 even to the poor1 who are convinced that they are not able to pay the demands of the law halt1 who through temptation1 unbelief1 and erroneous characters1 waver in their minds about some of the great truths of ,god--lame and maimed feel their own weakness1 helplessness1 wounded in spirit1 nor can they get on in the divine life--blind about their interest in ,christ for a season4 ,such are those who sincerely know themselves to be what ,god declares have a right to all the precious privileges of the gospel4 ,and it is such as these the ,lord has pronounced blessed in his sermon on the mount in eight particulars2 as the poor in spirit emptied of all supposed goodness in themselves1 mourning in mind on account of sin and abused goodness--meek1 humble1 docile1 teachable1 hungry and thirsty1 which includes sensations of pain1 desire and pursuit--merciful to the souls1 bodies1 and names of others--pure in heart by receiving the atonement and by the indwelling of the spirit--and the word peace-makers in the church--loving to those who belong to ,god--hating variance1 strife1 and pride1 persecuted for imputed and imparted righteousness-sake1 for decidedness in the cause of ,christ--though reviled1 yet falsely1 such have their reward in heavenly smiles now and to all eternity in a better world--these are those who are sincere--chastened1 tempted1 tossed1 dejected1 broken in nature by the fall1 and in heart by grace1 sorrowing on account of sin and over a suffering ,saviour4 ,to those who are so sincerely tried the ,saviour opened his commission in the synagogue1 taking his sweet text from ,isaiah--8,the spirit of the ,lord ,god is upon me1 because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor2 he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted1 to preach deliverance to captives and the opening of the prison doors to those that are bound1 to set at liberty those that are bruised1 to comfort all that mourn40 ,these are characters to whom ,christ can only be precious--the whole in their own estimation need him not4 ,i came not to call such but sinners to repentance2 and being called into a state of repentance1 that grace will flow sweetly when love1 mercy and goodness is felt4 ,this is the ,holy ,spirit's description of those that are sincere4 ,he has condescended to exhibit their likeness1 that we may see our own4 ,this is an act of stupendous condescension2 and taking this scriptural view1 we can bless the grace that has made us to differ from the ,pharisee and the hypocrite4 ,oh1 to grace how great a debtor6 ,daily ,i rejoice to be--and in the fine language of the communion of the church of ,england1 would daily pray-- ,almighty ,god1 unto whom all hearts be open1 all desires known1 and from whom no secrets are hid1 cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy ,holy ,spirit1 that we may perfectly 7sincerely7 love thee1 and worthily magnify thy holy name1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,every one that ,god has made honest in heart can say amen to this prayer4 ,i remark once more1 that the ,lord's people are in scripture called believers1 because they are blessed with the faith of ,god's elect4 ,here they are made sincere4 ,faith is a giving credit to what ,god says in his word1 and is perfectly satisfied with his truth1 with the record ,god has given of his ,son4 ,it is also a divine persuasion the soul is persuaded of the love1 grace1 and faithfulness of ,god--it rests on what ,god says1 and is seen in its actings1 which we sometimes call exercises--it flies to ,christ in danger1 sin1 trouble and threatenings--it leans upon ,christ amidst all weakness and sore darkness--it trusts in the person and work of ,christ for pardon1 justification1 and holiness1 for comfort1 knowledge1 support1 help and deliverance--it pleads with ,christ upon the ground of his promises1 and appears before ,god only in ,christ2 and this faith is the work of ,god upon the soul--it evidences a person's salvation1 and sooner or later such persons shall most sensibly enjoy the smiles of a covenant ,god1 the light of his countenance1 and the fullest persuasion of his love4 ,when these are seen and felt it is sense--but when they are not1 then it is the business of faith to be looking out of self to ,jesus1 to be waiting on him and for him2 and here also hope is engaged--it is expecting the fulfilment of ,god's promises1 nor shall such wait1 look or hope in vain4 ,we find even hope blessed in this exercise4 ,for ,lord if thou ne'er had'st design'd ,no covenant blessing for me1 ,ah1 tell me how is it ,i find ,such sweetness in waiting for thee4 ,and as faith and hope are thus engaged as soon as the ,lord appears1 to our joy so love and rapturous joy and thankfulness follow4 ,we love him because he first loved us4 ,i will love thee1 ,o ,lord my strength--,i love the ,lord because he hath heard the voice of my supplication--she loved much because much was forgiven1 and here repentance flows as divine love is felt--repentance is the tear of love dropping from the eye of faith2 and in these feelings how sweet is obedience--we can run the way of his commandments when his love enlarges the heart1 but when it does not1 then1 wait ,i say on the ,lord1 till power is felt again rising and falling1 ebbing and flowing1 running and waiting in the spirit of our minds1 is the road the ,lord leads his people in a time state2 and it is a mercy to know that the ,lord has fulfilled that precious truth in us--thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power1 for this evidences us to be his chosen people according to his word1 and we need no clearer testimony4 ,conscience can bear witness when the blessed spirit gives fresh light1 that these things which ,i have written have been and now are carrying on in the souls of those who are called by the grace of ,god2 and surely he that hath begun the good work will carry it on till it is consummated in glory4 ,but this we know also1 that a daily cross dead weights1 powerful besetting sins1 heaviness and despondency1 a tempting devil1 many cares and snares1 losses and crossed darkness1 weakness1 stupefaction1 and reluctance to all that is good--stormy days and dismal nights must be the lot of all who are taught of ,god4 ,the old man of sin and ,satan working upon it1 will often cause the sad outcry of--,oh1 wretched man that ,i am1 for the good ,i would ,i do not1 and the evil in thought word or deed ,i would not1 that at times do ,i4 ,blessed be ,god however1 in our worst moments ,satan cannot rob us of this will to do that which is good2 and most sincerely ,i would believe unceasingly1 ,i would hope always firmly1 ,i would confide steadily1 ,i would love the sacred ,trinity supremely1 ,i would be patient without a murmur1 ,i would commune with ,christ at all times1 ,i would resist the devil always1 ,i would deny self continually1 ,i would fly from every sin1 ,i would hear without wandering1 ,i would pray without ceasing1 ,i would be always giving of thanks1 ,i would universally promote the ,redeemer's cause1 ,i would ever plead for his truth1 ,i would be always kind to his poor1 ,i would bring in the whole world to adore him1 ,i would get home this moment to see him1 ,i would have an increasing knowledge of him1 ,i would be overcome with his love1 ,i would bless him for what he is in himself1 ,i would be holy as an angel of light4 99 99 99 99 99 ,aspiring high1 my spirit longs to rise1 ,i would for ever dwell above the skies2 ,so tir'd ,i am of sin and all ,i see1 ,i sigh1 ,i pant1 dear ,lord1 to be with thee2 ,where ,i ,,sincerely shall thy name adore1 ,and all the glories of thy grace explore2 ,sound thy rich love and join the blissful song1 ,while vast eternity shall roll along4 ,reader--,,is ,,this ,,your ,,likeness8 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,end4