Part 2

When persons profess much love to a minister or fellow member in the church, while in prosperous circumstances, but when trouble, persecution, disgrace, disrepute or poverty befal them, they know them no more, like the cuckoo who will abide with you during the summer, but when winter approaches, will take his leave of you, nor perhaps, ever own you again. Ah! how unlike the love of Christ. In general you will find such to be HYPOCRITES.

When persons shun those sins that would bring on them public scandal, and at the same time in love with secret sins, and spare these, because no one knows it, thinking small sins, if not known, will do no harm, yet making a sad outcry against sin, especially the sins of their neighbours, such are HYPOCRITES.

When persons boast and are proud of their own holy motives, sincerity of heart, holiness of life, purity of conduct, and a good name in the world, while destitute of the pardon of their sins, destitute of the faith of God’s elect, whereby the righteousness of Christ is received, destitute of the sanctifying teaching of the Holy Spirit, such are HYPOCRITES.

But while we view the wretched state and character of the hypocrite, as set forth in God’s word, may we not pray in the devout language of David.—“Who can understand his error; cleanse thou me from my secret faults; keep back also thy servant from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me; so shall I be innocent from the great transgression.” And as expressed in the Litany of the Church of England—“and from all hypocrisy, good Lord deliver us.” The hypocrite thus painted to the life, we cannot err in the description; many have been painted by others very differently, and many have painted themselves, and sat down to admire their likenesses; but though painted like Jezebel at the window (2 Kings ix. 30), or their own righteousness like the houses of the great painted with vermilion, or the hypocrites in the times of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and in our Lord’s day—Jeremiah xxii. 14—Ezekiel xxiii. 40—Matthew vi. 16. Yet the Lord has threatened that his hand should be upon all such pleasant pictures—Isaiah ii. 16—and that he would despise their image because it is not the image of Christ, which consists in righteousness, knowledge and true holiness. The real likeness of God’s sincere ones is drawn by the same unerring hand.

I bless God it is not left to the opinions of men; and should I attempt it, no doubt it would meet with severe criticisms from some, and mere cant from others; for a writer observes—“of all the cants which are canted in this canting world, the cant of hypocrisy is the worst.” Yet the cant of criticism is the most tormenting. I say not this because I am afraid of advancing any truth for fear of censure; no, I consider censure to be the tax that every public character has to pay to the public if he is in any way useful. I have often been grieved in reading the lives of good men, written in such a strain as if they were truly perfect in thought, word and deed, quite holy and unblameable in every thing. This is not the method the Holy Spirit has adopted—in the word, the graces, and the failings, the falls and the renewings, the sighs, and the songs of his people are well drawn by the pencil of truth. What they are in Adam the first, and what they are in Christ is clearly delineated. But with all the infirmities they possess it is a mercy the Holy Spirit has made them truly _sincere_; and this the apostle prays for—“that ye may be _sincere_ and without offence in the day of Christ.” And under this divine influence he rejoices that in all simplicity and godly _sincerity_ he had his conversation in the world; and hence that important exhortation of pious Joshua, “only fear the Lord in _sincerity_ and truth.” And the apostle also exhorts the Lord’s people to keep the gospel feast in _sincerity_, and to remember the Lord’s poor, as a proof their love was _sincere_ towards the Lord; to whom also he wishes much grace and peace, even to all them that love our Lord Jesus in _sincerity_. And as an ornament, yea, a principal qualification of an elder, he mentions in doctrine shewing gravity, _sincerity_, and as new-born babes desire the _sincere_ milk of the word, that they may grow thereby—not only the word but the milk of the word, that they may grow in knowledge, faith and love.

The word sincerity signifies uprightness and truth. Sincerity is opposed to double mindfulness, when the sentiments of the heart are contrary to the language of the month. 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 iniquity; and, like Joab who took Abner aside to speak quietly to him but smote him under the fifth rib that he died; and like Judas, with “Hail master,” and kissed him and betrayed him into the hands of his enemies. But while this is the case with the hypocrite, God has blest his own children as they are regenerated with _sincerity_ of principle, _sincerity_ of pursuit, and in their general deportment _sincerity_ of action. This is the genuine work of the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who is well acquainted with the persons of God’s elect, who were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and predestinated to the adoption of sons—to know their sonship in this world, and to be publicly owned by their ever adorable Father before assembled worlds—eternally united to Christ as the Great Head of the Church, viewed in him complete; and according to the well ordered covenant of grace, brought into a state of pardon, a state of peace and reconciliation, a state of justification and acceptance with God in Christ, _by_ Christ, _through_ Christ, and _for_ Christ. The ever-adorable most holy God the Spirit graciously undertook to be their teacher, to take eternal possession of them, to be in them as a well of water springing up to eternal life—illuminating their minds, quickening their souls with a principle of life, subduing their sins, shewing them the salvation that there is in Christ, and at times giving them power to enjoy it—this holy principle which makes its possessor _sincere_ is sometimes denominated faith, and it is faith unfeigned—sometimes it is called love, and it is love without dissimulation; and let the believer be in whatever frame he may, he is still blessed with these in their degree—these produce humble fear, holy desires, great anxiety, godly sorrow, fervent breathings, self abasement, spiritual meekness, holy obedience, love to all the truth and to those that love it—and if a person is in possession of these, he is truly made by grace _sincere_. What he is as a sinner he well knows, nor will ever alter his opinion of himself. Many deluded ones may fancy their sinful nature is getting better, but while such rise in awful pride, the _sincere_ believer sinks lower and lower in his own estimation in proportion as his spiritual knowledge increases. Knowledge and humility are twins in the believer’s mind, and those who are thus favoured can never be barren—Song iv. 2. In a state of nature God’s elect in general differ nothing from the greatest reprobate neither in principle nor conduct—they are enemies, ungodly, proud, boasters, haters, malicious and slaves to Satan, the flesh, the world and sin. 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 turned, and being convinced they feel their need of a Saviour, a surety, a better righteousness than their own, this makes them _sincere_ in their pursuits. To such as these the Lord speaks—“Hearken unto me ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord.” And as they follow after righteousness so they are said to follow holiness, to follow the Lamb who is both the righteousness and the holiness of his church, and are made sincere by grace. In this pursuit they will not rest. To such as these the gospel invitation is given, even to the _poor_, who are convinced that they are not able to pay the demands of the law halt, who through temptation, unbelief, and erroneous characters, waver in their minds about some of the great truths of God—lame and maimed feel their own weakness, helplessness, wounded in spirit, nor can they get on in the divine life—_blind_ about their interest in Christ for a season. Such are those who _sincerely_ know themselves to be what God declares have a right to all the precious privileges of the gospel. And it is such as these the Lord has pronounced blessed in his sermon on the mount in eight particulars; as the poor in spirit emptied of all supposed goodness in themselves, mourning in mind on account of sin and abused goodness—meek, humble, docile, teachable, hungry and thirsty, which includes sensations of pain, desire and pursuit—merciful to the souls, bodies, 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 variance, strife, and pride, persecuted for imputed and imparted righteousness-sake, for decidedness in the cause of Christ—though reviled, yet falsely, such have their reward in heavenly smiles now and to all eternity in a better world—these are those who are sincere—chastened, tempted, tossed, dejected, broken in nature by the fall, and in heart by grace, sorrowing on account of sin and over a suffering Saviour. To those who are so _sincerely_ tried the Saviour opened his commission in the synagogue, taking his sweet text from Isaiah—“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to captives and the opening of the prison doors to those that are bound, to set at liberty those that are bruised, to comfort all that mourn.” These are characters to whom Christ can only be precious—the whole in their own estimation need him not. I came not to call such but sinners to repentance; and being called into a state of repentance, that grace will flow sweetly when love, mercy and goodness is felt. This is the Holy Spirit’s description of those that are _sincere_. He has condescended to exhibit their likeness, that we may see our own. This is an act of stupendous condescension; and taking this scriptural view, we can bless the grace that has made us to differ from the Pharisee and the hypocrite. Oh, to grace how great a debtor! Daily I rejoice to be—and in the fine language of the communion of the church of England, would daily pray—

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly (sincerely) love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Every one that God has made honest in heart can say amen to this prayer.

I remark once more, that the Lord’s people are in scripture called believers, because they are blessed with the faith of God’s elect. Here they are made _sincere_. Faith is a giving credit to what God says in his word, and is perfectly satisfied with his truth, with the record God has given of his Son. It is also a divine persuasion the soul is persuaded of the love, grace, and faithfulness of God—_it_ rests on what God says, and is seen in its actings, which we sometimes call exercises—_it_ flies to Christ in danger, sin, trouble and threatenings—_it_ leans upon Christ amidst all weakness and sore darkness—_it_ trusts in the person and work of Christ for pardon, justification, and holiness, for comfort, knowledge, support, help and deliverance—_it_ pleads with Christ upon the ground of his promises, and appears before God only in Christ; and this faith is the work of God upon the soul—_it_ evidences a person’s salvation, and sooner or later such persons shall most sensibly enjoy the smiles of a covenant God, the light of his countenance, and the fullest persuasion of his love. When these are seen and felt it is sense—but when they are not, then it is the business of faith to be looking out of self to Jesus, to be waiting on him and for him; and here also hope is engaged—it is expecting the fulfilment of God’s promises, nor shall such wait, look or hope in vain. We find even hope blessed in this exercise.

For Lord if thou ne’er had’st design’d No covenant blessing for me, Ah, tell me how is it I find Such sweetness in waiting for thee.

And as faith and hope are thus engaged as soon as the Lord appears, to our joy so love and rapturous joy and thankfulness follow. We love him because he first loved us. I will love thee, O Lord my strength—I love the Lord because he hath heard the voice of my supplication—she loved much because much was forgiven, and here repentance flows as divine love is felt—repentance is the tear of love dropping from the eye of faith; and in these feelings how sweet is obedience—we can _run_ the way of his commandments when his love enlarges the heart, but when it does not, then, wait I say on the Lord, till power is felt again rising and falling, ebbing and flowing, running and waiting in the spirit of our minds, is the road the Lord leads his people in a time state; 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 power, for this evidences us to be his chosen people according to his word, and we need no clearer testimony. Conscience can bear witness when the blessed spirit gives fresh light, 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 God; and surely he that hath begun the good work will carry it on till it is consummated in glory. But this we know also, that a daily cross dead weights, powerful besetting sins, heaviness and despondency, a tempting devil, many cares and snares, losses and crossed darkness, weakness, stupefaction, and reluctance to all that is good—stormy days and dismal nights must be the lot of all who are taught of God. The old man of sin and Satan working upon it, will often cause the sad outcry of—Oh, wretched man that I am, for the good I would I do not, and the evil in thought word or deed I would not, that at times do I. Blessed be God however, in our worst moments Satan cannot rob us of this _will_ to do that which is good; and most _sincerely_

I would believe unceasingly,

I would hope always firmly,

I would confide steadily,

I would love the sacred Trinity supremely,

I would be patient without a murmur,

I would commune with Christ at all times,

I would resist the devil always,

I would deny self continually,

I would fly from every sin,

I would hear without wandering,

I would pray without ceasing,

I would be always giving of thanks,

I would universally promote the Redeemer’s cause,

I would ever plead for his truth,

I would be always kind to his poor,

I would bring in the whole world to adore him,

I would get home this moment to see him,

I would have an increasing knowledge of him,

I would be overcome with his love,

I would bless him for what he is in himself,

I would be holy as an angel of light.

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Aspiring high, my spirit longs to rise, I would for ever dwell above the skies; So tir’d I am of sin and all I see, I sigh, I pant, dear Lord, to be with thee; Where I SINCERELY shall thy name adore, And all the glories of thy grace explore; Sound thy rich love and join the blissful song, _While_ vast _eternity shall_ roll along.

Reader—IS THIS YOUR LIKENESS?

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THE END.