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.

CHAP. VII. (Book 7)

The differences that are between the true Christian and Hypocrite in some particulars.

AND now having hinted at the generall differences that are between the operati∣ons of true, & of counterfeit grace in the heart of a true, and false Christian, we shall descend to some particulars, and speak to these heads. (1) The difference that is between the outside, or the outward works of the true Christian and the Hypocrite. (2.) We shall lay down the difference that is herein in their inside, and in the operations of their hearts (to wit) the differences between the reall good, in the heart

of the true Christian, and the seeming good in the heart of the Hypocrite. (3.) We shall lay down some of the differences that are between them both in their inside, and outside, (4.) We shall lay downe some markes or signes of Sin∣cerity and Hypocrisie, setting the one in oppo∣sition to the other, the which may serve to dis∣cover both. (5.) And then lastly, we shall lay downe some other characters and signes of Sin∣cerity, which are signes of other things, that do alwaies accompany Sincerity.

SECT. I.

The difference between the true Christian and the Hypocrite in their Outside.

For the first. The difference that there is be∣tween the true and counterfeit Christian, in their outside, or by their externall works: we are to know, that the Hypocrite (As we have said) may have as faire an Outside, as the best Christian in the World; And some Hypocrites are such, and continue so to their dying day; and can say with that young man, Mat. 19 17, 18, 19. All these things have I kept from my youth up. And yet in most of them perhaps, if they be narrowly watched, some halting may be found in this also, as to their conversation. The true Christian is altogether a Christian, doth follow Christ fully in all things, and whether soever

he goes, and allwaies. And he being wrought upon so effectually by the word and spirit, as to be cast into the mould, or transformed into the likenesse thereof: he is for a present compliance with the whole will of God in all things, he doth walke in all the commandments of God blamelesse; He escheweth all that is evill, and doth all that is good, Ephes: 4. 28. Zach. 13. 4, 5 Isa. 1. 16, 17. He is for all duties to God, and duties to man, he is for piety, justice, and so∣briety. And he is for Godlinesse not only in the forme, but in the power thereof; he is for greater, for lesser, for publick for private duties; he is for duties that are in esteeme, and duties out of esteeme, he is for more and for lesse pro∣fitable duties and performances; for duties of mercy and charity, as well as for duties that have outward profits and advantages attending them, and in them all he is alike constant and industrious in their proper places. And as to all the will of God, and duty and work thereby in∣cumbent on man, he is universall and uniforme amongst all persons, in all times, places, and cases, one and the same, and changeth not, but continueth so to his dying day, Psal: 18. 21, 23, 24. For I have kept the waies of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. I was also upright before him. And I kept my selfe from mine iniquity, Luke 1. 6. It is said of Zacharie and Elizabeth, they

were both righteous before God, walking in all the com∣mandements of God blamelesse. Caleb, that he did fully follow the Lord, in Deut. 1. 36. Numb. 14. 24. and 32. 11, 12. Of Auna, Luke 2 37, She served God with fastings and Prayers night and day. Of Cornelius Acts 10 2. He was a devout man and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much almes unto the people, and prayed to God alwaies Psal. 101. 2. I will walk uprightly in the midst of my house, Acts 2. 43. And they continued steafastly in the Apostles doctrine, Psal: 101. 1, 2, 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes, Ephes: 5 1. Mat: 8. 10. and 16. 24. Jo. 4. 24. 1 Sam. 12. 3, 4. 2 Cor. 7. 2. But the Hypocrite is but almost, or halfe a Christian, doth but some things and follow Christ in part. And he (as to this) is commonly faulty in one of these par∣ticulars. 1. Either he will put off, and delay to doe what he is commanded. Luke 9 59. Suffer me first to goe and bury my Father, &c. 2 Or he will doe it but by halves when he doth it, Hosea 7. 8, 16. Numb. 32. 11. 3. Or he will doe too much, more then is given him in command by God, being led therein by his own fancy, or the com∣mandements of men, or some humane Traditi∣on: and so it is a Will worship, Mat. 15. 2, 3, 6. &c. Why do thy Diseiples transgresse the Traditions of the Elders &c. But he answered why doe you also trans∣gresse the commandements of God by your Tradition. For God commanded &c. In vaine doe you worship me

teaching for Doctrines the commandements of men. So Jehu, 2 Kings 15. 1, 2. &c. Luke 18. 10, 12. Psal: 119. 81, 82. Hosea 5. 11. 4. Or else (and this is more common with him) he doth too little; he doth lesse then God commandeth, and in the rest will doe his own will, Hosea 7. 7. 5. Or he is all for the duties of the first table, he is to∣wards God religious, but towards man unjust, cruell, unfaithfull, &c. Esay 1. 11, 12, 13. For what purpose are the multitude of your sacrifices, &c. your hands are full of blood &c. Mal. 2. 6. Have been partiall in the Law. Ezech: 22. 26. 6. Or he hath somewhat of both, but he hath a reserve, he must be borne and dispensed with in some things, he hath some beloved sinne or other of Profit and Pleasure, as Naaman, 2 Kings 5. 18. the Jewes Exod. 16. 28, 29. Saul, 1 Sam: 15. 8. He∣rod, Morke 6. 20. and others. 7. Or he is very exact in the lesser, but very carelesse in the grea∣ter things, Mat. 23. 23. Woe to you Scribes, &c. Ye pay Tithe of Mint, Annis, and Cummin, but have o∣mitted the weighty matters of the Law, judgement, mer∣cy, and Faith, &c. 8. Or he is all for duties that are more publick, and not at all for private. 9. Or he is for duties that are in request, and of selfe advantage, and for none others, Acts 8. 21. There is scarce an Hypocrite to be found, but lives in some known sinne or other, and under

the power of some lust which he serveth. He will serve two masters, Mat: 6. 24. He supposeth the love of God and the world may stand toget her, and that he may serve both, Iames 4. 4 The dog hath his kennell, and the Sow her swill. And if you mark well his stepps, you will finde him in time of Temptation drawn, or driven to the o∣mitting of some good, or doing of some foule evill. And to take the boldnesse, at least at some time, or in some places, or amongst some company, or in some case to offend wickedly, Ezek. 33. 30, 31. compared with Ezek. 8. 7, 8, 9. 1 Sam: 10. 10. and 14. 33, 34. Mark. 6 20, 21, 22, 27. 2 Kings 5. 18. Mat: 13. 22, 23. Iob. 27. 10. Isa. 65. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Hos. 7. 7, 8, 9, 10. &c. Zeph: 1. 5. Iob. 27. 10. Luke 17. 15. And sometimes he takes offence, at some word or work of God, or by some other occasion, and falls clean away by Apostasy. 1 Jo: 2, 19. 2 Tim. 4 10. 1 Sam: 13. 8. 28. 7. Luke 18. 22. Mark. 6. 20. And thus much of the differences between them in their out∣side.

SECT. II.

The Differences between the saving work of Gods Spirit in the true Christian, and the common work in the Hypocrite.

We come now to the Second head, to speak of their Inside. And herein shall observe the dif∣ferences,

that there are between the saving, and reall Graces of the true Christian, and the counterfeit Graces of the Hypocrite in some particulars.

1. In their Knowledge.

The true Christian hath, and must have the knowledge of God, for without this, the heart cannot be good, Prov. 19. 2. And so the Hypo∣crite may have, and hath also. But there are these differences between the knowledge of the one, and the knowledge of the other. 1. The knowledge of the true Christian is commonly a more clerae, and distinct knowledge, Phill. 1. 9, 10. Mat: 13. 11. But that of the Hypocrite a more generall, confused, and obscure know∣ledge: and such was the knowledge of the Scribes and Pharisees of the Scripture. 2. That of the true Christian is more certain, as being grounded upon the Scripture, and also upon some practise, and experience of the things known. And it is like to the knowledge that a man hath of meats, drinks, and medicines, by the view, tast, and trial over and besides his reading of them. And to the knowledge that a man hath of a Country, that he hath dwelt, walked in, and beheld with his own eyes, over and a∣bove his knowledge thereof by the Mappe, Phill. 1. 9, 10. Heb: 5. 14. Psal: 34. 8. 1 Pet: 2. 3. But that of the Hypocrite is only speculative and

discoursive, like to the knowledge that a man hath of a farre Country by a Mappe, or by rea∣ding of it; or to the knowledge that a man hath of the vertues of meats, & medicines, by the rea∣ding thereof only, Mat. 23. 16. 17. Jo: 3. 10. Acts 22. 3. Phill. 3. 4, 5, 6. 3. That of the true Christian, is alwaies accompanied with a desire and labour of increase thereof, and the more he hath, the more he desireth and labour∣eth to have still, Phill. 1. 9, 10. Coll: 1. 10. 2 Pet: 3. 18. But in that which the Hypocrite hath, it is otherwise, for he being full, cares for no more thereof, nor doth he desire it farther then it will make to his advantage in his designe he drives, Job. 21. 14. Rev. 3. 17, 18. 4. That of the true Christian is a Spiritualizing knowledge, it doth spirituallize the man, and his heart in whom it is, 2 Cor. 5. 16. 1 Cor: 2. 7, 14. Mat. 13. 11. But that of the Hypocrite, is carnall, earth∣ly, naturall, and sensuall, as the man in whom it is, is. And hence it is that he takes things, yea the most spirituall things carnally, Io. 3. 4, 9. and 6. 41, 45, 52, 60, 63, 66. 2 Cor: 2. 14. and 4. 3. 5. That of the true Christian, is a lively effectuall, and working knowledge, that pro∣duceth great and lasting effects, in the heart and life of him in whom it is. It is like to fire, that doth not only give light, but heate, purify, con∣sume, and otherwise work according to the

matter on which it cometh, and wherewith it meeteth, and so it is: 1. A heart affecting know∣ledge, For thereby and therewith, there is wrought and kindled in the heart, deere affecti∣ons towards the things known, God, Christ, Word, Christians, and other known spiritualls, a high esteem of, a vehement love to, delight in, an ardent and strong appetite, (as of the child after the mothers breast) after the enjoyment of them, Psal. 119. 72, 97, 103, 162. 1 Pe. 2. 3. Phill: 3. 8. and 1. 9. 1 Cor. 2. 2. 1 Cor: 8. 1. 1 Io. 4. 7, 8. Cant. 6. 1. But that of the Hypocrite is a remote knowledge, that doth swim••••e in the braine onely, and doth never come neer to the heart, it is a cold, flat, and dead knowledge, that either doth not at all affect the heart with any life or hear, or if it doth, it is but sleightly, and for a little time, and it is soon quenched a∣gaine, Ezech: 33. 31. Mat. 13. 11, 20. Mark. 4. 6. 2. It is a heart purging knowledge, for hereby the heart is more and more purged from its sinne, and wrought and changed into an holy frame, after the likenesse of the word, as the wax to the Seale put upon it, 2 Cor. 3. 18, 1 Pet. 1. 22. Ye have purified your soules in o∣beying the truth, &c. 1 Pe. 2. 3. Jam: 3. 17, 1 Io. 3. 6. But it is not so in the heart of the Hy∣pocrite, his heart is not changed at all, or not changed throughly and to purpose, Heb. 4. 5, 6,

and 11. 12, but he continues therein as bad or worse then ever he was. Acts 8. 21. 22. Rom. 1. 32 3. It is a heart humbling, and Soule∣abasing knowledge. It makes a Christian vile and despicable in his owne eyes, the more he sees of God, and Divine Mysteries, the more humble, selfe emptie, selfe denying, and selfe abhorring he is. Iob. 42. 5. 6. Rom. 7. 18. 24. Gal. 2. 20. Phil. 3. 7. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 9: Ephes. 3. 8. 1 Tim. 1. 15. But that of the hypocrite doth puffe him up. So the knowledge of the Pharisees puffed them up. Io. 9. 40. Are we blind also? 1 Cor. 8. 1. And this knowledge in Gods account is no know∣ledge at all 1. Cor. 8. 2. 4. It is a life-re∣forming knowledge and obedientiall and prac∣tical knowledge, and makes him in whom it is fruitfull in all good workes. 1 Ioh. 2. 3. Hereby we know that we know him if we keep his commande∣ments. Iames 3. 17. the wisdome that is from above is &c. full of good workes 2 Cor. 3. 18. But we all with open face beholding the glorie of the Lord are changed unto the the same Image 1. Ioh. 4. 6. Joh. 13. 17. But that of the Hypocrite is but sel∣dome so, and if it doe worke upon him any change of reformation it is but in the outside on∣ly, but generally he is a hearer and Talker but no Doer of the word. Mat. 23. 3. they say and doe not. v. 27. ye appear beautifull outward but within, &c. are ful of all uncleaner. 1. Jo. 2. 3.

4. 6 The knowledge of the true Christian is a communicative knowledge, in order to the edification of others, wife, children, servants, neighbours &c. It is still scattering and disper∣ing it selfe abroad. Prov. 15 7. His lips disperse knowledge. Psal. 112. 9. He hath dispersed &c. Psal. 51. 12. 13. But the Hypocrite, he either hides his Talent, or if he doe imploy it, he doth it to advance his owne prayse or to further his owne corrupt ends. Mat. 25. 25. I was afraide and hid my Talent &c. Mat. 23. 15. ye compasse sea and land to make a proselite &c.

SECT. III.

2 In their zeale.

The Hipocrite may have and hath (as wee have shevved) a zeale, and this zeale may bee upon religious grounds, as is and must bee the zeale of the true Christian, and according to the dictates of his Conscience But vve shall find a vvidc difference betvvene the zeale of the one and of the other, in these things 1. The true Christians zeale is after knovvledge received from the Word of God, and it is for Christ and his truth, Isa. 8. 16. Rev. 3. 19. Tit. 2. 14. Numb. 25. 11, 13 But the zeal of the Hypocrite is nofter the knowledge of Gods Word, but

after his own, or other mens opinions and in∣ventions, Rom 10, 2. They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, Mat. 15. 9 Gal. 4. 17, 18. and against Christ, as that of Paul was at first, Phil. 3. 6, 9. 2. The true Christians zeal is, and springs from the work of Gods Spirit, and his own faith in Gods word, Jer: 20. 9. Acts 19 19, 20. But the Hypocrites zeal ariseth from some humane Motive, Tradition, Custom, Educati∣on, or some such like thing without, and the corruption of his own heart within, Act. 22. 3. I was zealous toward God as ye all are this day. Mat. 15. 9. Teaching for doctrines the cōmandments of men, Joh. 4. 20. 3. The true Christians zeal is accompa∣nyed with a deep sense of his original and in∣ternal wickedness, which the Hypocrite mind∣eth not, Luke 18. 10, 11, 12. The Publican went up to pray, &c. He stood afar off, &c. 4. The true Christian being sensible of his own heart-emp••i∣ness of Grace, and the insufficiency of all things without Christ to fill it, sets a low value upon all other things in comparison of Christ, and longs after, and looks for all from Christ, Phil. 3. 8. Luke 1. 53. But the Hypocrite hath with his zeal, a heartfulness, and self-confidence of his own sufficiency, Luke 1. 53. Mat. 5. 6. Rom. 10 2, 3. For they being ignorant of Gods righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, &c.

SECT. IV.

3 In their love to God. And the properties of true love to God.

The true Christian loveth God, and so he must: for this is the whole duty of man, Mat. 22. 37. And so perhaps the Hypocrite may doe. But there is a wide difference betwixt the one love and the other love: thus. The sincere love of the true Christian is, 1 A rational and under∣standing love; it ariseth from the knowledge of God, his excellencies, loveliness, goodness, beautie, and works, and especially as he is re∣vealed in Christ by the Gospel, Psal. 63. 2, 3. O God thou art my God, early will I seek thee, my sonl thirsteth for thee, &c. to see thy pow∣er and thy glory, &c. For thy loving kindness is better than life, &c. Psal. 9. 10. Heb 1. 3. Joh. 14 9. 2 It ariseth from Gods love, and the sense there∣of to him, and the apprehension he hath, that God is a reconciled Father to him, 1 Joh. 4 10. We love him, because he first loved us, Joh. 3. 16. Luke 7. 47: 2 Thes. 2. 16. 3 It is a natural love, as the love of a childe to the father, arising from his new nature, as he is born and brought forth a childe of God: And so he loveth God as in the relation of a Father to him, Gal. 4. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit

of his Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father, Rom. 8. 15. 4. It is a pure love; he loves God for his own sake, and for the good he seeth to be in him, and for the good he doth to others, as well as for the good he doth to him. And in this it is like to the true love of a man to a woman, when he loves her only for her person and qualities sake, and not for her portion, Psal. 34 8. Cant. 1. 4, 15. Psal. 63. 1, 2, 3. 5 It is an open and ingenuous love, it moves the heart towards God, as the heart of one faithful friend to another, James 2 23. Ioh 3. 29. Ioh. 15. 14, 15. 1 Cor. 13. 4. 6 It is a strong, transcendent, and supernaturall love. And more, and greater than his love is to his Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Wife, Children, Self, or any thing else in the world: for he looks on God as his chief good, and cannot be satisfied with any thing else in the world, without him; can acqui••sce in, and be satisfied with him without all things else; and for his sake he can, and will do, or suffer any thing; and for the enjoyment of him, he can, and will part with his right eye, right hand, or any thing else whatsoever, never so near, or dear to him; and in him is all his delight, Mat. 10. 37. Heb. 11. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 35. Rev. 12. 11. Cant. 8 6, 7. Luke 18. 28. Psal 63. 1. & 116. 7, & 8 4. 2. 5, 7. Psal. 37. 25. Luke 14. 27. 7 It labours to improve it self by

all advantages, and tha•• it may love more, Psal 116. 1. 8 It is a laborious and working love, Gal. 5. 6. 1 Thess. 1. 3. 9 It is a true love that runs through the whole man inward and outward.

The Thoughts.

1 It will make them be all upon him, Ps. 113. 13. and 63. 6. ubi amor, ibi oculus, ibi animus. 2 The Judgement, it will cause it to set a great value on him, Lam. 3, 24. 3 The Desires, it will make them to goe much after him, Isa. 26. 9. 4 It will make him content to wait for him, Isa. 26. 8, 9. Psal. 40. 1. 5 It will make him to be pati∣ent under delay and suffering till he come, Psal. 40. 1. 6 It will make the Will to close with him, hold him fast, and not to let him go, Cant. 3. 4. Psal. 18. 21. 7 It will make him rejoice in his presence, and mourn for his absence, &c. Ps. ••2. 1. 11. 19. 8 It will make his tongue to be still talking of him, Psal. 119. 27. and 63. 3. and 145. 21. 9 It will make his hands still ready to be working for him. 10 It will make the whole man to be ready to doe or suffer any thing for his sake, Psal: 119. 168. And not be satisfied, but mourn that he can do no more for him. 10 It is a lasting, constant, unchangeable, and never dying love, Cant. 8. 6, 7. 11 It cannot be quenched; and it doth manifest it self by these, and such like signs and effects.

1 By the hatred of evill, Psal. 97. 10. Yee

that love the Lord hate evill.

2 By the love of the godly, 1 Ioh. 5. 1. Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him that is be∣gotten of him, 1 Pet. 1. 8. 1 Joh. 3. 13, 14.

3 By pittying of; and yeelding help to them in time of misery, 1 Ioh. 3. 17.

4. By care to keep the Commandements of God, Ioh. 14. 23. 1 Ioh. 2. 3, 5.

5 By a desire after fellowship and communi∣on with God in Christ, Psal. 42. 2.

6 By a tenderness and respect of Gods glory manifested and declared, 1 By a mans own personal obedience to God, Ioh. 15. 8. Mat. 5. 16. 2 By his stirring up of others to obedience to him, Ps. 67. 1, 2, 3, 3 By his affection to Gods cause, and interest in the world, which when hindred he grieveth, Ps: 119. 136. when prosper∣ing he rejoyceth, Ps. 97. 1. and 122. 1. 4 And by his adventure of himself in it, Mat. 26. 58, 69. 11 It makes him that hath it to desire and labour to be like to God, Psal. 17. 15. 12 It is commu∣nicative and open, it makes him that loves open handed, and ready to communicate himself, and all that he hath to, and for God and his service, 2 Cor. 9. 11. Pro. 7. 9. 13. It wil make a man do all that he can for, and nothing against God, Prov. 31. 12. 14 And it will make him in whom it is to suffer any thing for Gods sake, Gen. 30. 20. But the false love of the Hypocrite (if he can

love God at all) ariseth from some false perswa∣sion that he may have of Gods love to him, in this that he doth him no hurt but good, because he doth prosper in the world, is healthy, great, and rich, and the like; or because he may have a fancy that the promise of the Gospel; and Christ doth belong to him; or he may have a little kind of seeming love to God for his selfe ends, and for some present use or need he hath of him, as Soul did love David; or he may live in hope, that God will, or may doe him good, or do him no hurt, for some such causes, or upon, and by some such motives as these, somewhat like to love, or some little weak and corrupt love may be in an Hypocrite; but really he is a lover of himself, and loves the world more than God, 2 Tim. 3. 2, 4. He is a lover of his belly, Phil. 3. 19. Mat. 19. 21, 22. He loveth evil more than good, Psal. 52. 3, 4. Or he loveth God and the world both together, Mat. 6. 24. I••••••es 4. 4. Hee seekes the praise and favour of men more than the praise and favour of God. He doth not love God more than Father, Mother, Wife, &c. Mat. 10. 37. He doth not delight himself in the Almighty, Iob 27. 10.

Ob. But here it may be said out of Rom. ••. 30. and 8. 7. Iohn 15. 19. That the Hypocrite being still in his natural estate is a hater of God.

Ans. It is true the Hypocrite being still in

his natural estate, is a hater of God in his heart, and that which is of love, or the appearance thereof therein is but forced, and against his nature; and is a kind of restraint of suspension of hatred; so a Lyon tamed may be brought to seem to like, and to converse with the Lamb, but retains his nature still, and upon the first occa∣sion will shew it; or (at the best) it is but a poli∣tick, artificial, or carnal and corrupt love, from self respects, and to self ends, as a man that loves a woman for her portion onely, and not for her person or parts.

SECT. V.

4 In their love of Christ. The properties of this love.

The true Christian loves Christ: And so he must; for without this he cannot be a true Christian, 1 Cor. 16. 22. 1 Cor. 13. 1, 2. And the Hypocrite may have a kind of love to Christ also, Mat. 19 16. But herein also we shall find a wide difference between them

1 The true Christian he ha thnot onely a good will to Christ, Ioh: 3. 26. to 30. Ioh. 3. from 1 to 11. but a longing desire after him, Cant. 1. 2. Rev 22. 17, 20. And satisfaction in him, Cant. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

2 The love of the true Christian to Christ, is like to his love to the father; and so doth manifest

it self as the love of the child of God doth manifest it self to God. As,

1 It ariseth from the knowledge of Christ by the preaching of the Gospel, and that dis∣covery he hath thereby of Christs beauty, glory, excellency, and necessity, in reference to his soul, Psal. 45. 2. &c. Cant. 2. 3. and 5 10. 6. 1 Joh. 6. 6. 68. Lord to whom shall we goe, thou hast the words of eternal life? And from his faith in him. Iohn 69. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, 1 Pet. 1 8. whom having not seen, ye love, &c. Yet believing, &c. And from the good which he hath experimentally got by him, Cant. 1. 3. 4. 15. and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. and 5. 10. Luke 7. 38, &c. Psal. 45 6: 11. 15 Isa. 33. 17 and 45. 22.

3 It ariseth from Christs love, and the sense thereof to him, Ephes. 5. 2. Rev. 1. 5. to him that lo∣ved us, and washed us in his blood.

4 It is pure also; for he loves Christ as well for himself, and the loveliness he sees to be in him, his odoriserous smel, and for his sweet tast, as for the need he hath of him, and the benefit he may have by him, Cant. 1. 3, 4, 15. Ioh. 7. 7. and 21. 16. 17.

5 It is a strong and transcendent love that is in the soul of the true Christian to Christ; it will part from all rather than part from him, Cant. 8. 6, 7. It is as strong as death, the coals thereof

are coals of fire, which have a most vehement flame: Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it, Luke 18. 28 and 14. 26, &c. 10. 37, 38. Rev. 12. 11. Acts 21. 13.

6 It is a laborious love, Heb. 10. 6. Iames 1. 4.

7 It is a constant, lasting, and unchangeable love, Cant. 8. 6, 7. it cannot be quenched.

8 And it is a love that is like to the love of a dear Wife to her loving Husband, or the love of a contracted Virgin, betrothed to her lover a young man, where the love is exceeding strong, and doth manifest it self by such like effects as these.

1 By a high esteem of his love, and all the ma∣nifestations thereof by tokens, letters, kisses, &c. Cant. 1. 2. and 7. 10.

2 She looks upon all that ever he is, and doth as lovely, Cant. 1. 4, 6. and 2. 1. and 5. 10.

3 She doth highly esteem all that is about him, and doth concern him. So hath every true Christian an high esteem of Christs love, and the manifestations of it: thinks well of all he is, and doth, loves all his ordinances and gra∣ces, Cant. 2. 3. and 5. 10.

4 She thinks much of him in his absence.

5 She hath an earnest desire after a fuller as∣surance and evidence of his love, and the full and perfect enjoyment of him, that as man and wife they may for ever dwel together, and

never be sundred any more. And so the Chri∣stian hath after Christ; and therefore the true Christian soul doth long for his appearing, and the consummation of all things, Cant. 2. 4. 8. 6. and 7. 12. And till this may be attained, and for the present he hath a desire of union with him; an earnest desire after, and delight and reioycing in the manifestations of his presence by his Spi∣rit within, and amongst his people, and in his ordinances without, as the wife hath, in as near an approach to, and entercourse with her Hus∣band as she may, Cant. 1. 2. and 2. 4. and 8. 14. and 4. 16. and 7. 11, 12. Is. 26. 2. Jer. 22. 24. In order to this,

1 The Spouse of Christ doth alwaies entreat him, and wooe him for his company, Cant. 2. 7, 8, 9.

2 She doth enquire after him, where she may meet with him, and they may have conference together, Cant. 1. 7.

3 She makes her way through all difficulties to come to him, Cant. 5. 7, 8, 9. and 8. 7.

4 She when she hath gotten him, labours by all means to keep him with her, and not to let him go. And for this,

1 She is glad, and takes hold of all oppor∣tunities whereby she may manifest her love to him, Cant. 7. 12.

2 She labours in every thing to please him,

give him all the content she may, and every way to seem as lovely to him as she may, and is very careful not to grieve him, Cant. 2. 12. and 8. 2, 3. And therefore,

1 She is mighty careful to keep his comman∣dements (as a wife to keep the charge of her husband) in head, heart tongue, and life, Iohn 14. 15. 21. 23. and 15. 10, 14.

2 She will suffer any thing from him, as his rebukes, &c. John 21. 15, 16, 17, or for him, 1 Cor. 13. 4.

3 She will part with any thing to him, or for his sake, Luke 13. 28. 1 Cor. 1. 4.

4 She loves all his friends, and doth manifest it by doing all she can for them, especially for their soules, and is extreamly glad with their prosperity, and sad in their adversity, 1 Pet. 1. 8. 1 John. 3. 13, 14. Iohn 21. 15, 16.

3 And she is extreamly troubled when he is gone, especially if she find he hath received any discontent, and she will not be quiet till they be friends, and he come again, Cant. 3. 1, 5, 6: and 6. 2.

But the love of Christ that is in the heart of the Hypocrite, it is not such a love; it is not so rooted and grounded in Christ, or in the heart, and therefore fadeth and dyeth in times of per∣secution; nor doth it arise from the love of Christ to him, and the view of Christs loveli∣ness,

nor is it a pure love for Christs sake but from the love of himself; nor are there such effects as we have observed to be in the heart and life of the true Christian, but the contrary ther∣of are found to be in him: For this pretended love towards Christ, such as it is, is onely, or e∣specially for some outward advantage that hee that loveth hath, or hopeth to have by Christ, as Saul loved David for the ease he gave him by his Musick, 1 Sam. 16. 21. And so many of them that followed Christ, and had some love to him, that they did herein was doubtless for their outward advantage only, & therfore upon the least occa∣sion of dislike, they took offen••e at something in his work or words, when they saw it to be more for their outward advantage to leave him they fell off from him. Luke 9. 57. A certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whither soever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, &c. but the Son of man hath no where to lay his head. Mark 10 17, 18. 19, &c. There came one running, and kneeled to him, saying: Good master what shall I doe that I may inherit eternal life, &c. And he said, Go sell that thou hast, &c. and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, &c. and follow me. And he was said at that saying, and went away grieved; for he had great possessions. The stony ground hearers, Mat. 13. 21. when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word, by and by he is offended. Joh. 6. 26. Ye seek

me not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, &c. Joh. 6. 66. From that time many of his Disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

SECT. VI.

5 In their love of the Saints. The properties thereof.

The true Christian doth love the godly, and those that are true Christians; and so he must doe, or he cannot be a true Christian, Joh. 13. 35. By this shall all men know ye are my disciples if ye love one another, 1 Joh 2 9, 10, 11. and 3. 14, 15. And so we have said, that there is, and may be in an Hypocrite a kind of love to the godly also, but with these differences.

1 The sincere love of the true Christian ari∣seth from Gods love in him, 1 Joh 5. 1, 2. Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him that is be∣gotten of him.

2 It is a pure love: For,

1 It is from the heart, that is pure being puri∣fied by Faith, 1 Tim. 1. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 22.

2 Because God commands it, 1 Iohn 4 21.

3 He loves all the Saints, Phil. 1. 1. Col. 1. 3, 4.

4 It is for Gods sake, as the child that doth love for the Fathers sake, because he beleeveth them to be Saints, beloved of God, and because

he seeth the true Image of God upon them, which is beautifull in his eye, and the more thereof he seeth upon them, the more he lo∣veth them. And because there is a likeness and relation between them, and him, as children of the same Father; there is a Brotherhood be∣tween them, and they are follow members of one body, 1 Iohn 5. 2, 3, and 4. 21. and 5. 1, 2. Mat. 10. 12. 1 Pet. 2. 17. 1 Cor. 12. 12, 25, 26.

3 It is an unfeigned love, moved, and carry∣ed out for the good of him that is beloved, 1 Pet 1. 22. Ʋnto unfeigned love of the brethren, &c. Heb. 6. 10. 1 John 3. 17. 18. Rom: 12. 9.

4 It is a kindly affectioned love, Rom. 12. 10. like the dear love between Father and Chil∣dren.

5 It is a courteous love, it maketh him cour∣teous towards him that is beloved of him, 1 Pet. 3. 8. Love as brethren, &c. be courteous.

6 It is a servent love, 1 Pet 1. 22. See that yee love one another out of a pure heart servently, 1 John 3. 16.

7 It is a real love, 1 Iohn 3. 16, 17, 18. Wee ought to lay down our lives, &c. But whose hath this worlds good, and seeth his Brother have need, and shut∣eth up his bowels of compassion &c. Let us not love in word, &c. but in deed and in truth.

8 It is uniting to the person beloved, 1 Pet. 3. 8. Be of one mind, &c. Love as brethren.

9 It is a transcendent supernatural love, 1 Iohn 3. 16. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren, John 13. 35. James 2. 15, 16.

10 It is a lasting and continuing love, 1 Cor. 13. 8. Charitie never saileth, &c. Heb 13. 1. Let Brotherly love continue. And this love doth yet fur∣ther appear by such like effects and operations as these which follow.

1 It desireth to be united to the person belo∣ved, and to have as much of his company as it can, Psal. 119. 63. I am companion of them that feare thee. &c. and 16. 3. But to the Saints, &c. in whom is all my delight.

2 It turns into mercy when the person belo∣ved is in misery, 1 John 3. 17. Whoso hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother hath need, and shutteth up his compassion. &c. How dwelleth the love, &c. 1 Pet. 3 8. Love as brethren, be pittiful, &c. Heb. 9. 10. James 2. 15 16

But for the further opening of the properties of this love, see 1 Cor. 13 4, 5, 6. 7. Charity suffer∣eth long (i.) it will suffer much and long for the sake of him it loveth, what cause soever is gi∣ven, and it makes a man of a patient spirit. And is kind (i.) It is open hearted, and this makes it open handed' ready to distribute, tender and compassionate, and ready to do any kindness to others that it can doe; it is easie to be made use of, and ready to communicate itself, and what

it hath to do any good offices it can doe for to∣thers; it is as tender of others as it is of its own good; it rejoyceth at the good, and not at the hurt of another, and it spends itself, and is spent for the good of others. It envieth not (i.) It is very well pleased at, and contented with the happiness of others, and doth not grudge it. It vaunteth not it self, is not puffed up (i.) It keepeth the man from vain ostentation, insolen∣cy, and scornful thoughts against, and ill de∣meanour towards others. Doth not behave it self unseemly (i.) It will not disgrace another, nor suffer him that hath it to use unseemly words or gesture towards another. Seeketh not her own (i.) It is communicative, and cannot content it self to doe good to it self, but it must be doing good to others also. It is not easily provoked (i.) It will dissemble injuries, and swallow down wrongs; it is slow to wrath, and not quickly angry, what cause soever be given. And when it is angry, it is not extreamly, and irreconcila∣bly angry. Thinketh not evill (i.) As it doth not speak or act, so it doth not imagine mis∣chief against others. Rejoyceth not in inquity but in the truth (i.) It takes no pleasure in doing, or speaking evill; it is glad to see the good, and sad to see evil in others; or it is glad when it seeth others falsly accused to be cleared; or it taketh part with good men, and good things Beareth

all things (i.) It helpeth to bear others burdens, their weakness and wants, by contribution to their help. Beleeveth all things (i.) It is not lightly credulous, nor easily suspitious; but it is candid and ingenuous; it beleeveth all the good it hears, or can have any ground in chari∣ty to beleeve; it will cover as much as it can the faults of others, and therefore doth cha∣ritably interpret the words and deeds of others. It will make the most of the good, and the least of the evil another saith or doth, and is apt to construe all things in the best sense; and as far as may be it will conceal the evils of others for their good. Hopeth all things (i.) It hopeth the best where there is no apparent reason to the contrary. It hopeth all the good it can hope, and that which cannot be well beloved. And it doth never so far despair, as not to use means. Endureth all things (i.) It will bear the greatest, rather than doe the least injury: it will bear all things it may bear with a good consci∣ence: it will suffer much evil it self, to doe a little good to others.

But otherwise it is in this particular also in the heart of an Hypocrite: For either he doth hate, envy, or contemn the true Christian (and this is most common) 2 Chron. 18. 7. Or else he doth dissemble love, 1 John 3. 17, 18. Or if there be any love in him towards them, it is but to∣wards

some of them; or he loves the wicked as much as them; or he loves the godly coldly, or but a little while; or he loves them onely out of respect to himself, and for self ends, and to serve his own turn by them, because they are, or may be of use to him; or (at the best) because they are harmless men, or men of fine parts, or because the time favours them, or they are beloved of most men, or for some such like cause. Nor is there such evidence and demon∣stration of his love, as there is of the love of the true Christian; for he commonly is proud, scornfull, censorious, harsh, hasty, and the like Isa. 66. 5. Your brethren that hated you, &c. Joh. 15. 18, 24, 25. They have both hated me and my father &c. Psal. 39. 19. Them that hate me without a cause. Luke 19. 14. Isa. 1. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 22, 23. Ps. 41. 6. compared with Ps 35. 16. With hypocritical mockers in feasts, &c.

SECT. VII.

6 In their love of the Word of God.

The true Christian doth love the Word of God, Psal. 119. 13. And so he must. But the Hypocrite hath a kind of love to the Word al∣so The differences lye in these things.

1 The true love of the true Christian ariseth from his love to God and Christ, whose Word it is, and from the excellency of it, as having

his likeness upon it, Psal. 119. 129. Thy testimo∣nies are wonderful, therefore doth my soul keep them, Psal. 19. 7, 8.

2 It is a natural love, arising from the new creature within him, as he is a new born childe of God, and hath a new life, whence ariseth hunger and thirst to this Word, the proper food apointed of God to feed it, and maintain the life thereof, 1 Pet. 2. 2. As new born babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word, &c.

3 It is a pure love, he loveth it for it self, and for the puritie and perfection of it, Rom. 7. 12. 22. Psal. 19. 7. The Law of God is perfect, &c.

4 It is a vehement love, as that of a childe to the mothers breast; he hath an high esteem of the Word, a strong desire after it, cannot live with∣out it, no more than the childe without the breast, and will not part with it for the whole world, 2 Pet 2. 2. Psal. 119. 97. 20. 72. O how I love thy Law, &c. My soul breaketh for the longing, &c.

5 It is an universal, and impartial love, it is to all the VVord, and that part most of all that shall detect and correct his most secret sin, Psal. 141. 5. Rom. 7. 12, 13, 14.

6 It is a fruitfull, changing, and efficacious love: it makes the man in whom it is by the use of this VVord to grow still, and be changed into the very likeness of it; and so to love the

knowledge of it, as to fall into the practise, and obedience of it. He loves to do it, as well as to know it, 2 Cor. 3. 18. But we all with open face be∣holding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, 1 Pet. 2. 2. As new born babes de∣sire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby, Rom. 6. 17. But ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine. Job 23. 12. Neither have I gone back from the commandement of his lips, &c. 1 Pet. 1. 22. But the false love, and so the short and sleight delight of the Hypocrite to and in this VVord, hath none of all this; for it is commonly to a part of it onely; he cannot brook that part thereof that shall discover and correct his sin, e∣specially his secret and beloved sin, John 3. 20, 21. Mark 6. 17, 18. 3 Luk. 19 20. 2 Chron. 18. 7. And that love he hath to the rest doth usually arise from the excellencies or noveltie of the matter treat∣ed of therein, the singular gifts of the Preach∣er, or some view he hath of the sweet promises of the Gospel contained therein, the Redemp∣tion by Jesus Christ, and the happiness of such as believe in him, and that he by mistake doth apprehend he hath a share therein: But it works no change at all in him, nor is he at all confor∣med thereunto in his heart and life. He doth hear, but not doe it: he casteth it behinde his back, and commonly he hateth it, Ezek. 33. 31,

32, 33. Isa. 58. 2. and 59. 2. Ps. 50. 16, 17. Rom. 2. 13, 23. James 1. 22. Jer. 7. 23, 24.

SECT. VIII.

7 In their love to Ordinances.

The true Christian doth love and delight in all the rest, the Ordinances of God, the Sabbo••h, Sacrament, Prayer, and the like. And some kind of love and delight there may be also in the heart of an Hypocrite, but with a great deal of difference. The love of the sincere Christian to them is as they are pure Ordinances from God, and are by divine institution, and serve to his glory, and the good of souls, and as they serve to bring God and us near together, and to maintain our communion with him: And it is his meat and drink to use th••m, Rom. 7. 22. Heb. 8. 10. His Laws are put into their mind, and written in their hearts. Rom. 7. 22. He doth delight in the Law of God after the inward man. And to∣gether with his use of them he doth joyn Re∣formation of heart and life, Psal. 119. 14 I have rejoyced in the waies of thy Testimonies, Psal. 119. 10, I have refrained my feet from every evil way, Ps. 40. 8. But that which is in the heart of an Hypocrite of delight and pleasure in them, is very little and short. And that is onely for his self ends at the most, because he conceiveth there is a ne∣cessity of the doing of them in order to salva∣tion:

And so an Hypocrite may like of, and use them as a bridge to goe over to heaven, or as men use Physick. But commonly he doth ac∣count all these things as a burthen, and he doth use them as a cloak to his wickedness, Isa. 58. 2, 3, 4, &c. Isa. 59. 2, 3, &c. Ezech. 33 32. Amos 8. 5. When will the New Moon be gone, &c. the Sabboth, &c? And he doth continue still in his wicked∣ness (at the least of the heart) as before. Psal. 58. 2, 3 Yea in heart ye work wickedness, &c. Mat. 23. 27. Acts 8 22, 23.

SECT. IX.

8 In their love to, and desire after Grace.

The true Christian doth, and must love and desire Grace. And the Hypocrite also, as he hath a kinde of love to Gods VVord, and to godly men: so hath he a kind, or appearance of desire, and love to Grace. But there is a great deal of difference between them: For, 1 The love & desire of the true Ch••istian is a true and natural love, arising from his new nature, and Gods Spirit in him: The love of Grace is Grace, and a part of the new creature. 2 His love to it is for it self, and its loveliness in his eye, and the likenesse it hath to God, and the agreement that there is between the true Chri∣stians changed nature and it, and because it makes him like to God. But that which is in

the Hypocrite is counterfeit, and not from a new nature: for he is not regenerate, neither hath he the Spirit of God in him. But that seeming love and desire of Grace which is in him is onely for himself, and his own end; and so he may have a confused desire of it, as ap∣prehending it may be a means to escape the wrath of God, and the condemnation of hell, and to obtain heaven and happiness for him. 3 The true Christians desire after Grace is ve∣hement, active, and unsatiable, Psal. 84. 2. 7. Cant. 4. 16. He cannot be satisfied with any measure of it, but hungers and thirsts still for more, Ps. 119. 97. O how I love thy Law, &c. My soul breake••h for the longing, &c. Phil. 3. 12. Rom. 7. 24. Luke 1. 53. Mat 5 6. Isa. 55. 1, 2. But the love that is in the Hypocrite is a weak, cold, careless, and unactive love, he thinks he hath e∣nough, and cares for no more, Rev. 3. 17. Be∣cause thou saist I am rich, &c. Luke 6 25. and 1. 53. Luke 18. 12. But more of this afterwards in the fifteenth Section.

SECT. X.

9 In their faith and trust in God.

The true Christian doth beleeve, and trust in God, Iohn 14. 1. Psal. 31. 1. And so he must do, 2 Chron. 20. 20. Psal. 130. 7. The Hypo∣crite also hath a kind of trust and hope in

God, Psal. 106. 12. Job 8. 14. But there is a great deal of odds between the faith, trust and hope of the one and of the other.

1 The faith and hope of the true Christian is grounded upon the Word of God, and the Promise and Covenant of God in Christ, which he doth well understand, and wherein he hopes himself to be included, Psal. 78. 7, 8. Psal. 119. 42. 94. I am thine save me, Psal. 9. 10. They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee, &c. But the Hypocrite doth commonly trust in himself, or somewhat else besides God. Luke 18. 11. 21. Rom. 10. 3. That which the Hypocrite hath, is oft times wrought by something else besides the Word of God, Psal. 106. 12, 13. John 2. 23. and 6. 2. and 4. 48. And 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 Chri∣stian 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 fruit∣less 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 tempo∣rary and vanishing faith and trust, Psal. 106. 12,

13. Then beleeved they his words, &c. they soon for∣gat 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 be∣lieve 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 Go∣spel it doth beleeve, Ephes. 1. 13, 14. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Go∣spel, &c. Isa. 53. 11. By his knowledge shall my righ∣teous 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 Puri∣fying 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 ef∣ficacy and operation, so it is a part of sanctifica∣tion, 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 sal∣vation.

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 with∣out 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. Be∣ing 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 Agrip∣pa, 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, fear∣less, and confident faith, a meer fancy, and dream of the brain, whereby a man doth con∣ceive 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 tri∣al, 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 purifica∣tion of the heart, or reformation of the life, or any such lively effects as we have before obser∣ved 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 conver∣sion, 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 sor∣row, and that there are gripings and affright∣ings 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 parti∣cular falls.

As to the first: That of the true Christian is wrought by the VVord of God with the ope∣ration of the Spirit, discovering to him his sin and danger thereby, Acts 2. 37, 38. Jer. 31. 19. After that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh. But the repentance of the Hypocrite may arise out of the working of his natural conscience, and the fear of eternal vengeance, which he may have so much faith to beleeve will light upon sinners.

2 In the ordinary way of Gods working on the heart in true Repentance: Hee first of all convinces of the sinfulness and danger of sin, and then wounds the heart, as John 16. 18, 19. Acts 26. 18. Ezek. 36. 31. Hosea 2. 6, 7. Acts 2. 37. Luke 15. 17, 18, 19. And by this, as by a prepara∣tive,

makes way for repentance and conversion, and a coming to Christ; so Acts 2. 37, 38. where Peter adviseth the Iews then pricked in their hearts to repent, compared with Mat. 11. 28. and Mat. 9. 13. And so being in Christ, there is a true turning to God, Hosea 7. 16. and 2. 5. and 3. 5. But the conviction and sorrow of the Hypocrite is without any turning to Christ, as Iudas, Mat. 27. 3 or to God in Christ; either he goeth to the devil, 1 Sam. 8. 28. or wicked men, with Iu∣das, Mat: 7. 2, 4. or to the creature, or from one sin to another; he returneth not to the Lord; his returning is therefore compared to a cake half baked, Hosea 7. 8, 14, 15, 16.

3 The sorrow of the true Christian is a deep and thorough sorrow, Zach. 12. 10, 11, 12. And they shall mourn as one for his only son, &c. Mat. 26. 75. He wept bitterly, Ier. 31. 18, 19. Ezek. 33. 10. But that of the Hypocrite is a sudden flash, or sleight qualm of grief only, Ps. 78. 36. 1 Kings 21 29.

4 The sorrow of the true Christian is a dura∣ble sorrow, it lasteth as long as his sin lasteth, Ps. 51. 3. and 42. 5. Rom. 7 24 2 Cor. 7. 10. But that which is in the heart of the Hypocrite is a short & transient sorrow, like to the fit of an Ague or Sea sickness, Hosea 7. 14. They have not cried to mee with their hearts.

5 The sorrow of the true Christian is for all sin alike, Ps. 51. 5. 14. But that of the Hypocrite

is commonly for some speciall sin that hath (as he supposeth) brought, or may bring some spe∣cial evil upon him; so Iudas, Mat. 27. 3, 4.

6 The sorrow of the true Christian is a god∣ly sorrow, Zach. 12. 10. 2 Cor. 7. 8, 9, 10. But the sorrow of the Hypocrite a worldly sorrow. That of the true Christian it is a godly sorrow: For 1 it is joyned with a holy shame, confusion of face, and self abhorring, Ezek. 36. 31. Then shall ye remember your own evil wayes, &c. and shall loath your selves, &c. Ezek. 33. 10. Isa. 26. 11. 2 It hath more respect to the sin than to the punish∣ment, 2 Sam. 24. 10, 17. I have sinned, &c. But these sheep what have they done, let thy hand be on me, &c. 3 It is heightned with the thought of this, that it hath broken the Law of God, which it▪ doth know to be holy, just, and good, Rom. 7. 12. 22. 4 There is in it a grief and displeasure a rising from hence, especially that thereby hee hath offended a gracious Father, and shewed himself unkind to a gracious Redeemer; it is as the mourning of a Son over an offended Fa∣ther, Zach. 12. 10. I will pour out my spirit, &c. and they shall mourn for him as one would mourn for his onely son, &c. Psal. 51. 4. 5 It hath with it the hatred of the sin, Rom. 7. 15, 16. For what I would that doe I not, &c. but what I hate, that doe I, &c. O wretched man that I am, &c. 6 It hath also in or with it the fear of God offended by its

sin, Acts 9. 6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to doe? 2 Cor. 7. 11. 7. There is with it, or in it, a resolution never so to offend God again, Psal. 17. 3. I am purpo∣sed that my month shall not transgress. 8 It is al∣waies accompanied with a change of heart and life, Ez••k. 18. 31. Hee is changed in his heart, Ro. 8. 2. From a carnal to a spiritual estate, from darknes to light, Acts 26. 18. Eph. 5. 8. From a death in sin to a life in grace, Eph. 2. 1: Luk. 15. 32 From wickednlss to holiness; from being un∣der the power of Satan into the kingdome of Christ, Acts 26. 18. Rom 6. 17, 18. and 10. 13: The conversation of this man is also changed: for he is wrought from a sinfull to a gracious course of life, and doth conform himself to, and comply with the whole will of God in all things, Acts 9. 6. Lord what wilt thou have me to do? Mat. 18. 3. Isa. 55. 7. And much of this we have together in that place, Jer. 31. 18, 19. I have sure∣ly heard Ephraim bemoaning himself (thus) thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unac∣customed (to the yoke) turn thou me, and I shall be turn∣ed; for thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was lu••ned, I repented, and after that I was instructed I s••o••e upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea even confoun∣ded, because I did bear the rrpeoach of my youth. But the sorrow of the Hypocrite that is for and a∣bout his sin, is a worldly and carnal sorrow:

It is either because he cannot sin so much, or prosper so well in his sin as he would, or be∣cause of some evil of punishment within, or vvithout, feared or felt. It may be he is under the sense of the guilt of his sin, the fear of the wrath of God, and the suffering of eternal vengeance for it, and so under the anguish of a tormenting and unquiet conscience: And hee takes more care to be rid of this than of his sin, and more troubled with this than with the sin. And so he may mourn for his sin, and re∣solve upon some kind of reformation for feare that his sin otherwise may be his ruin. And this is as the grief of the slave for fear of the whip. Gen. 4 13, 14. My punishment is greater than I can bear, &c. Exod. 8. 28 and chap. 10. 16, 17. Forgive I pray thee my sin, &c. and entreat the Lord to take away this death. And in his case there is no Re∣formation accompanying or following of it: for he is (at the least in his heart) worse and not better afterwards, Mat. 12 43, 45. and 23. 27. Prov. 27. 25. So Ahab 1 Kings 21. 27, 29. Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before mee, &c. And Saul, 1 Sam. 15. 24, 30. I have sinned, yet honour me amongst the people, &c. And Judas, Mat 27. 7. I have sinned betraying innocent blood, &c. Numb. 14. 39, 40, 41, 44. compared with Deut. 21. 41, 42, 43. they mourned, &c. for we have sinned, &c. and yet notwithstanding they did presently transgresse

the commandement of God, and rebelled a∣gainst him, Isa 58. 6, 7, 8. Gen. 4. 13, 14.

2 Much after the same manner is the repen∣tance and sorrow of the Saints upon their par∣ticular 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 hum∣ble 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 Hy∣pocrites humility is shewed onely in some parti∣culars, 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 honou∣rable

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, ••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, adulte∣rers, 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 re∣joice 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 ther∣of. Psal. 27. 1, 2, &c. Psal. 63. 1, 2, &c. and 84. 2, 3, &c. Rom. 7. 22. But the Hypocrite doth not de∣light in God at all, Iob 27. 10. Will he delight him∣self 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 him∣self.

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 chan∣ged 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 Hero∣dias, 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 god∣ly 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 o∣therwise 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 care∣full 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 diffe∣rence.

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 industri∣ous 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. de∣sired 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 de∣sires, Iames 1. 7, 8. a double minded man is unsta∣ble, &c. and he is like a deceitful bow, Hosea 6. 16.

SECT. XVI.

15 In their fear of God.

The true Christian must fear God, 1 Pet. 3 14, 15. Jer 5. 22. Mat. 10. 8. And he doth so Nehe∣miah 7. 2. Mal. 3. 16. But there is also a kinde of fear of God in the heart of the Hypocrite. But the differences are many and great between the one and the other.

1 The fear that is in the heart of the true Christian is a Sonne-like fear, and joyned with love; and he doth fear the Lord as well for his goodness and mercy, as for his judgments, Hos. 3. 5. They shall fear the Lord and his goodness. But the fear of the Hypocrite is as the fear of a slave, or a servan towards the master, or as a prisoner to the Judge. And he fears the Lord for his judgements onely, Isa. ••3. 14. Fearfulness hath surprised the Hypocrites who among us shall dwel, &c.

2 In the measure or degree. The fear of God in the true Christian is a transcendent fear, hee feareth God above all, Heb. 11. 22, 23. Mat. 10 26, 28. Gen. 39. 9. But the Hypocrite feareth man more than God, Mat. 21. 26, 27.

3 The fear of God in the true Christian cau∣seth him to depart from all that is evil, and to doe all that is good, Prov. 8. 13. and 16. 16. But the fear of the Hypocrite makes him ra∣ther to forbear the doing of good, and to ad∣venture

upon the doing of evil, Mat. 25. 24, 25.

4 It is a lasting fear, but that of the Hypo∣crite onely temporary and soon gone, Exod. 14. 31. and 15. 23, 24.

SECT. XVII.

16 In the frame of their heart, in what they doe or suffer.

The true Christian doth, and must reform his life. And the Hypocrite seemeth to doe so; for the evill spirit seems to be cast out of him also, Mat. 12. 45. But there is a great deal of odds in the frame and disposition of their hearts therein, both in the first undertaking, and in their fur∣ther acting, and that in the leaving or omission of evil, and in the doing of good, and their motives and ends therein: The true Christian in his first undertaking of the profession of Re∣ligion, doth design and aim at an universal and compleat obedience & conformity to the whole will of God, to keep all his Commandments, Ps. 101. 1, 2 3, &c. 119. 6. When I have respect to all thy Commandements. Heb. 13. 18. We trust we have a good conscience in all things, willing to live honestly. Acts 24. 16. But the design of the Hypocrite is to go so far and doe so much therein as may serve to his own end, which is not to please and glorifie God, but to please and advance him∣self. And hence it is that it doth sometimes for∣bear

to doe the good he ought to do, and some∣times forbear to do the evil he ought not to do, sometimes doe the good he ought to doe, Mat. 14. 5. Mark 12. 12. Luke 20. 19. and 22. 2. Joh. 9. 22. And in his further acting in what he doth, and in what he forbeareth to doe. All that the Hypocrite doth think of in the forbearance of, or flying from evil, is to forbear it for his own end therein. But the true Christian therein is moved from the fear of God, Gen. 39. 9. Prov. 14. 1. and the hatred of sin, Ier. 4. 4. And all that he doth think of in doing of good, is the work to be done, as in Praier, only to pray, &c. But the true Christian is carefull of the manner and order of his doing, of the disposition of his heart, and his aim and ends therein. That in it he be carried out from the conscience of the command of God, and his obedience thereunto; his love to God, 2 Cor. 5 14. That hee be swayed more therein by the fear of God than the fear of men, and with desire to please God rather than to please men, and that he take more care to fulfill the will of God than of men, Gal. 1. 10 Nor do I seek to please men, &c. Psal. 119. 24. That what he doth be done by the rule of Gods Word, Luke 18. 20, 21. That he doe it with his whole heart, willingly and cheerfully, Psal. 110. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. As for ex∣ample with this acknowledgement of sin, there

is joyned a heart broken for sin, hating it, re∣solving against it, and faith in the blood of Christ, 2 Sam. 24. 10. Psal. 51. 4. Luke 18. 10. Dan. 7. 7, 8, 9. Ezra 10. 2. Mark 1. 15. And he hath an end beyond himself, and the saving of his soul. To please God, to doe it to the Lord, for Gods sake, as well for his own sake, for the advance∣ment and glory of the name of God and Christ, as well as for the good of his own soul, Phil. 1. 21. For me to live is Christ (that is) Christ is both the author and end of my life: I live for him, I live in him, I live by him, I live to him, or all the gain that I aim at in life or death is to glori∣fie him, Acts 20. 24. and 21. 13. I am ready to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus, Mat. 6. 9, 13. Rom. 9. 3. Lam. 2. 18. But otherwise it is in the heart of the Hypocrite in all that hee doth of good, and forbeareth to do of evil. It is for his own end. He leaves his sin, but loves it stil. He hath not left it for love of God, possibly he may leave it for some fear of God and his Judge∣ments, or fear of men, as Magistrates, Ministers, Parents, and the like, and fear of some harme that may come to him by them; for he hath a slavish fear, Gen. 28. 8. Mat. 14. 5. but bee is the same man, and hath the same mind still as he had, Prov. 1. 22, 28, 29. He loveth simplicitie. &c. So he may confess sin without any heart broken for or broken from sin, without any hatred of sin,

or purpose to leave it, or faith in Christ at all, as Iudas, Saul, and Cain did, 1 Sam. 15 24, 25. Mat. 27. 2, 3 Gen. 4. 4, &c. Deut. 1, 41. Prov. 28. 13. And he leaveth evill and doth good from the love to himself, and for his self-satisfaction, and that he may doe himself good thereby, either for his own ease, or for his own glory and applause, or some other advantage that hee hath, or ho∣peth to have thereby to accrew to himself; for he is mercenary, John 6. 26. Ye seek me not because, &c. but because ye eat of the loaves, and were filled. He may make again by godliness; and so for self. ends, and out of self love doth seek himselfe, and serve his own ends altogether whiles he pre∣tendeth to seek God, out of love to him, and to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 16. 18. Serve not our Lord but their own belly Phil. 3, 19. whose God is their belly, 2 Tim. 3. 4, 5. Lovers of their own selves, &c. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God: Having a form of Godliness, &c. Rom. 1. 25. Served the creature more than the creator, &c. That doe all for reward, Jude 11. Mic. 3. 11. 2 Pet. 2. 3. through covetousnesse shall with feigned words make merchan∣dize of the soules of men, Acts 20. 30. And so he may forbear to doe the evil that otherwise he would doe, and doe the good that otherwise he would not do. So the Scribes and Pharisees did fast and pray to get praise and wealth, Mat. 6 2. 16. Mat. 23, 14, 15. Zach. 7. 5. Did ye fast unto me,

even to me, &c. Hosea 7. 14, 15. And they have not cried unto me with their heart; they assemble themselves for corn and wine, &c. and 10. 1. He bringeth forth fruir to himself. Sometimes the fear of man keeps him from the doing of evil, Mat. 14. 5. and 21. 46. Sometimes this also may provoke him to some good, Gen. 28. 8. And as there is a great deal of difference in their minds as to their do∣ings, so there is as to their sufferings also for Christ. The true Christian must suffer for Christ, and must be ready, and will be able to leave all for him. The Hyocrite also may, and somtimes doth suffer many things for Christ. But the one of them hath first learned to deny himself be∣fore he take up his cross; the other takes up his cross before that he hath learned to deny him∣self. The one doth suffer out of love to Christ for Righteousness and the Gospels sake, for the glory of Christ, and advantage of Christians; The other out of a self-love, for his own sake, as for his own glory and praise, or for some earthly advantage to himself. So Judas suffered with the rest for Christ, to fill his purse, and to be great in Christs kingdom, which hee thought would be an earthly kingdom, 1 Cor. 13. 3. And though I give my body to be burned, and have not cha∣ritie, it profiteth me nothing. Psal. 44. 22. 2 Tim. 2 10. Mark 10. 28, 29. Gal. 3. 4. Jerem. 15. 15. Mat. 10. 39. and 16. 25.

And thus much for the differences between them in their outside and inside considered a∣sunder. It remains now that we lay down some few differences that there are between them in their outside and inside considered together.

SECT. XVIII.

17 In their falling into, continuance in, and getting out of sin.

The Hypocrite is naturally a sinner, and so is the true Christian, There is no man good, no not one, Rom. 3. 10. And they both sin; for there is no man liveth and sinneth not. 1 Kings 8. 46. And in many things we offend all, James 3. 2. And if we say wee have no sin we make him a lyar, &c. we deceive our selves, and the truth is not in us, 1 John 1. 8, 10. Psal. 19. 12. Who can understand his errors? Psal. 38. 4. and 40. 12. and 65. 3. and 130. 3. But more particu∣larly.

1 The true Christian hath in him originally the same pravitie and corruption of nature that the Hypocrite hath, and by nature they are both alike sinfull, Ephes. 2. 1, 2, 3.

2 The true Christian hath after his conversi∣on somewhat of the corruption of his nature still remaining in him. And therefore there is still in him some propensitie and inclination to all sin, and a possibilitie of his falling into any sin but the sin against the Holy Ghost; there is

still flesh and spirit in him, Rom. 7. 15, 16, 17. Gal. 5. 17, 18. James 1. 13, 14.

3 He may be somewhat tainted and touched with any of the sins of the time and place, as were the true Christians and members of the best Churches in all times more or less, which is to be perceived by the Epistles of the Apostles writ∣ten to them.

4 This corruption may somtimes in the heart boyl up & break out to som height in the inward motions and lusts thereof, as in uncleanness, im∣patiencie, pride, and the like; as in David, 2 Sam. 11. 2, 3. in Asa. 2 Chr. 14. 1, 2 compared with 16. 1, 2, 3. 7. 10. Jonah 4. 1, 2, 3. and others.

5 For the lesser sins of Infirmity, these hee may commit daily all his life long, Rom. 7. 15.

6 He may occasionally fall into foul & scan∣dalous sins, Murder, Adultery, Drunkenness, and the like, as Noah, Peter, David, Lot, and others did, 2 Sam 11. 2, 3, &c. Gen. 9. 24. Gen. 19. 32, 33. But for this see more in chap. 8. at the beginning of it.

7 There may be very much of the will going along with his commitment of these sins for the present time, as in Davids case, Ps. 19. 13.

8 These acts of sin may by him be repeated again and again, Gen. 19. 33. 34, 35.

9 He may after his commission thereof rest and continue secure therein for a while with∣out

repentance, as David did, 2 Sam. 11. 12.

In all these things there is little or no diffe∣rence to be found in outward appearance be∣tween the true Christian, and the Hypocrite, but that for a time they may be alike. And yet there is an vast, an real difference to be found between the Hypocrite and the true Christian herein also as to their committing of, and continuance in their sin; and that before the sin done; 2 In the commission of the sin; 3 After the sin com∣mitted: For he that is born of God cannot, may not so sin as the Hypocrite can and may do, 1 Joh. 5. 18. Deut. 32. 5. Their spot is not the spot of his children, &c. And there are to be found these differences between the sin of the one and of the other.

1 Before the sin committed the sincere Chri∣stian doth generally hate all sin, for the evill that is in it, as well as for the evil consequences of it: And he hates it in all men, more in those that are near about him, most of all in himself, 2 Chron. 15. 16. Ps 101 1, 2, 3. He looks up∣on sin as a filthiness, and flies it; he hath a reso∣lution against it, yea he cannot love or delight in it; there being as great a contrarietie between him and it, as between light and darkness. And it is against his new nature, as it is contrary to the nature of a sheep to wallow in the dirt. al∣though happily this hatred in the very act of the

commission of the sin may be suspended, hee is like a neat huswife in a kitchin, that doth keep her not onely from the fire, hut from the filth and soyl of the place. He doth not seek sin, Psal. 119. 128. I hate every false way. Rom. 7. 15. But what I hate that I doe. Psal. 119. 57. I have said I will keep thy words. Psal. 19. 12, 13, 14. Cleanse me, &c. keep hack thy servant, &c. Psal. 97. 10. Prov. 8: 13. But the Hypocrite doth not hate sin; for if hee did, he would hate all as well as some sin. But he doth naturally love and delight in sin, and in his own sin, which comes from a natural prin∣ciple thereof within him, Job 20. 12, 13. Though wihkedness be sweet in his mouth, &c. Yea he loveth the sin he hath left, and dareth not to commit it for some inconveniencies onely that may fol∣low upon it to him, Psal. 36. 4. He abhorreth not evii. Hosea 127. He is a Merchart, &c. he love••h to oppress. Psal. 52. 3. Thou lovest evil more than good. He is resolved to continue in his sin, unless he see it be for his earthly advantage to leave it, and therefore doth he plead so much for it, and la∣bour so much as he doth to continue it, and doth continue in it. Psal. 36. 4. He setteth himself in a way that is not good. Psal. 2. 3. It suteth wel with his cor∣rupt nature & impure heart. It is with him ther∣fore as with a sluttish Cook-maid, who doth not care to keep her self from the soyl and filth, but from the fire of the kitchin. So if the Hypocrite

can keep himself from the fire of hell, he cares not to be kept from the filth of sin. He hath (and this is the best of his case) some desire to be clean and cleansed of sin, as it is necessary to save him from the fire of hell, and carry him to heaven, and no further. And for these things see 1 Sam. 21. 7. Rom. 1. 32. 2 Pet. 2. 15. 22. Psal 50 16, 17. They hate to be reformed. 2 He doth watch and pray against it, Psal. 9. 12, 13. Mat. 6. 13. Job 31. 1, 2. But so doth not the Hypocrite, but rather watch an opportunity to commit it, being that which he desireth, delighteth, and purposeth to doe, Mark 6. 21, 2 In the sin committed. 1 It is against the main bent, purpose, and resolution of the heart of a true Christian to sin; for his firm purpose is to follow God fully, and to doe his whole will, and he doth strengthen himselfe here••n. He doth not contrive and forecast to sin, but when he doth so, he is (for the most part) surprized therein. Psal. 119. 33, 117, 106. I have sworn and will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous Judgements, Psal. 17. 3. I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgresr. James 3. 2. Job 31. 1, 2. I made a covrnant, &c. Psal. 101. 2. Acts 11 23 Deut. 4. 4. Heb. 13. 18. Gal. 6. 1. Ro. 7. 16. ••9. Heb. 10. 26. And therefore is hee apt to hearken to any counsell that may prevent his sin. 1 Sam. 25. 32, 33. But the Hypocrite his purpose is to sin, he doth fore∣cast, and devise mischief. Psal. 52. 2. Prov. 6. 14. He

keeps a Method in his sin, his plot is to sin, but to sin so secretly as it may not be known. His sin is premeditated, and (as we say) in coole blood: he watcheth his time for it; and that he doth herein is with the full consent of his will. Isa. 5. 18. They draw iniquitie with cords of va∣nitie, and sin as with cartropes, Psal. 50. 19. thou givest thy mouth to evil. Psal. 7 12, 13. and 36. 3. He sets himself in a way, &c. So the Pharisees, Judas, J••hu, and others. They yeeld themselves as ser∣vants to the service of sin, Rom. 6. 16. and sell themselves, as Ahab, to do wickedly 1 King. 21. 25. 2 The true Christian doth very rarely fall into grosse sin; but some Hypocrites so com∣monly, that they make it, as it were their trade, to doe wickedly, and by a customary acting of it, have gotten such a customary habit thereof, that they cannot leave, Jer. 9. 5. They have taught their tongue to speak lies, and wearted themselves to commit iniquitie. Jer. 13. 23. Can the Aethiopian change his skin, &c. then may ye also doe good that are accustomed to doe evil. But the true Christian doth for the most part keep himself unspotted from the sins of the times; he doth as the travel∣ler, albeit he meet with dirt in his way, yet doth he as much as much as he may keep from the of∣fence of it; so the true Christian as much as he can keeps himself from being solved by the sins of the time and place, 2 Pet. 2. 7. 3 The

true Christian doth not sin so universally as the Hypocrite doth. The true Christian doth not act sin with all the faculties and powers of his soul and body as the Hypocrite doth, but there is some reluctancy in the heart therein. There is in him flesh and spirit, a regenerate and an un∣regenerate part, Rom. 7. 18, 22. I delight in the Law of God in the inward man, &c. that which I do I allow not, &c. the evil I have that doe I, Gal. 5. 17. Psal. 32. 2. Nor doth the true Christian, or he is not ready to commit all sorts of sin, and at all times and alwaies as the Hypocrite is, who maketh it his trade to sin. Psal. 50. 19. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit, thou sittest and speakest, &c. And therfore he labour∣eth to be as skilful in it as he can, Jer. 9. 5. They have taught their tongues to speak lyes. And he giveth up himself wholly to it, and to act all kinde of sin, as a man of a trade doth give himselfe up to his trade, to doe all that belongs to it, and to doe it alwaies. Now he that is born of God cannot thus sin. Joh. 3. 9. It is not his ordinary practise so to sin; but if happily he fall into a sin, he doth not often; his sin is occasional, like to the true mans going out of the highway, who comes in again presently, and like a river that is turned out of its channel by some stop or diver∣sion, which will get in again as soon as it can. He doth not go in the way of Gods commandments

as the Hypocrite doth; for hee like as the thiefe comes in the true mans way, for the present to serve his turn, and to doe mischief onely; else he keeps by-waies and obscure places. Nor doth the true Christian give and yeeld up himself to the service of sinne, as a servant to his masters work, Rom. 6. 16. but as a prisoner is carried a∣way from it against his will, he yeeldeth himself for the present, as being unable to prevent it, Rom. 7. 23, 24. But I see another law in my members, bringing me into eaptivitie, &c. Nor doth the true Christian, or can he fall totally and finally, Mat. 24. 24. deceive if possibly the very elect, as the Hypo∣crite may doe, and oftentimes doth. The true Christian is like to the good tree, that doth or∣dinarily bring forth good fruit, which yet hap∣pily may by some accidents faile some years; or he is as a man of healthy constitution that fall∣eth once, or more than once into a fit of sicknes, but otherwise is healthy alwaies. But the Hy∣pocrite he is iike to one that hath one of his no∣ble parts, his liver or his lungs corrupted and rotten, he is alwaias, and all over sick. And sin in the sincere Christian is in some of these re∣spects fitly compared by some to the dirt in a lively pure spring, that will not suffer it to bee quiet, bvt will be working it out. But it is in the Hypocrite as in the standing pool that gathereth the mud, and keeps in when it hath it; or as it

is in a bad stomack that loves, devoureth, and feedeth upon trash, and retains it to the destru∣ction of the body, but a good stomack will not endure it, but cast it out one way or other; or if it continue till it corrupt the body, it pusheth out the corruption by boyls and the like; so the good soul cannot, wil not endure sin long with∣in it in peace. 4 After the sin committed, i. The true Christian having sinned doth not rest secure in his sin, hee doth not allow or approve of what he hath done, much less doth he justifie or defend, leest of all doth he glory in it, as the Hypocrite doth: but finding himself to be pol∣luted and wounded by it, hee labours with all speed to be cleansed and cured. He is therfore displeased with himselfe, and grieved for it, re∣penteth of it, is afraid of Gods displeasure by it, as a child of the displeasure of a father when he hath done a fault; and therefore he is glad of any help herein for his cure: For the sin of the true Christian to him, is as the cruel service of the Israelites under their cruell Taskmasters in Aegypt was to them. Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me, &c. Or as a man that being fallen into the fire, and like to bee burnt, is snatcht out of the same, and so esca∣peth the danger; so the true Christian he is rea∣dy to confess, and willing to forsake his sin, as David, 2 Sam. 12. 13. And doth forsake it, 2 Cor.

4. 2. And afterwards make amends to God and man what he can for it, Luke 19. 18. and Zacheus stood up, &c. And Peter, Mat 26. 70, 72, 75.

For ordinary and daily frailties, the true Christian doth mourn for them daily, as hee doth commit and observe them, Psal. 19. 12. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me, &c. Rom. 7. 22. If he fall into greater sins, hee is more deeply humbled for them, and doth more emi∣neutly repent thereof, as Peter, Mat. 26 75. Da∣vid, Psal. 51. 1, 2, 3, &c. 2 Sam. 24, 1, 2, &c. Job 40. 1, 4, 5, &c. But otherwise it is with the Hy∣pocrite in all these particulars. Hee is pleased with his sin, and not troubled with it, but when it brings him into trouble. Otherwise hee is re∣solved to continue in his sin, and his sin in him, Psal: 36. 2, 3. He flattereth himself in his own eyes till his iniquitie be found to be hatefull: Takes a spe∣cial contentment in it, is never better but when he is acting of it. And he is secure in it, and as one that is fast asleep cannot endure to be wa∣ked, so hee cannot endure to be told of his sin, to be troubled about it: For he stiffens himself in it, is resolved because it serves his turn, and sutes with his disposition that he will not leave it, and therefore doth deny, excuse, defend, ju∣stifie, or perhaps glory in it. Psal. 36. 4. Phil. 3. 19. Whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame. Hosea 12. 7, 8. Rom. 2. 32.

2 Hee is after his fall into sinne made more watchfull and heedfull than before, that he fall not into the like sin again, Joh. 21. 15, 17. Ps. 119. 29. Remove from me the way of lying, &c. (that is) let me no more not dissemble with God and Man as I have done, but let me be sincere according to thy Law. But there is no such thing in the Hy∣pocrite, the more he doth, the more he may sin, and groweth worse and worse. And therefore the sin of the true Christian is not at all impu∣ted to him. Psalm 32. 2. Ʋnto whom the Lord imputeth not inquitie, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

SECT. XIX.

In their growth in Grace, and the working and appearance thereof.

The true Grace of the true Christian doth not use to decay, but to grow, 2 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Thes. 1. 3. Revel. 219. And the seeming grace of the Hy∣pocrite (as we have elswhere hinted) doth seem∣ingly grow also. But there are these differences herein.

1 The true Grace hath root and life, & grow∣eth indeed. John 15. 4, 5. I am the Vine ye are the branches, &c. He thut abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. Psal. 84. 7. They goe from strength to strength. Rom. 7. 3. 4. Mat. 13. 23. It floweth from the eternal Spirit of God in the

soul of a Beleever, as water from a lively spring, John 4. 14. But the counterfeit Grace of the Hypocrite hath neither root nor life in it, and grow••th but in appearance onely, and it is like to a standing poole of dead and corrupt water, which will fail in the summer time when there is most need of it. Job 10. 16. Mat. 13. 21, 22.

2 It is a lively and working Grace, 3 Thes. 1. 3. Your work of faith and labour of love. Heb. 6. 10. Your work and labour of love. 2 Cor. 5. 14. The love of Christ constraineth us, &c. and 7. 10. Godly sorrow worketh, &c. and 8. 24. The proof of your love. James 1 4. and 2. 8 2 Thes. 1. 11. Gal. 5. 6. But the com∣mon Grace of the Hypocrite is dead, and with∣out fruit, Mat. 13. 22. He becometh unfruitful. Jam. 2. 17. 20.

3 The true Grace is a pure and incorruptible Grace, and therefore an enduring, increasing, and immortal Grace, 2 Thes. 1. 3. Your faith groweth exceedingly. 2 Pet. 1. 118. Psal. 119. 33. 1 Io. 3 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not sin; for his seed remaineth in him, &c. But the common worke of Grace that is wrought in the Hypocrite is but a wordly, carnall, and corrupt work, and there∣fore it decaieth, withereth, and never comes to perfection, 1 Iohn 2. 19. They went out from us, &c. But ye have an unction, &c. Mat. 13. 20, 21, &c. But he that received the seed in the stony places, the same is he that heareth the Word, and anon with

joy receiveth it, yet bath he no root in himself but du∣reth for a while, &c. Heb. 6. 7, 8. For the earth, &c. But that which bringeth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh to cursing, &c. 1 Cor. 15. 19. 2 Cor. 7. 10.

SECT. XX.

In their Mohtification and Self-denyal.

The true Christian doth and must mortifie sin, keep under his body, &c. Col. 3. 5. Rom. 8. 13. The Hypocrite he doth something in this also. But herein there is this difference between them. All, or the greatest part of that which the Hypocrite doth herein is upon the outside; his care and pains is only to appear and seem beau∣tiful, Mat. 23. 25, 27. Ye make clean the outside, &c. but within are ful of all uncleanness, 1 Kings 21. 1, 2, 3, &c. But the maine study and labour of the sincere Christian is to mortifie his evil affections, to put out the fire of his lust, his covetousnes, pride, un∣cleanness, envy, anger, and the like, Job 31. 1. I made a covenant with mine eyes, why then should I think on a maid? and v. 24. If I have made gold my hope, &c. Psalm 19. 12. Cleanse thou me from secret faults, &c. 1 Cor. 9. 27. But I kee, under my body, Rom. 8. 3. Col. 3. 15.

SECT. XXI,

In their new obedience in the general, and the exactness and compleatness thereof.

The sincerre Christian, as he is a new creature, so he is to yeeld and perform a new obedience to God in Christ, in his doing and suffering of the will of God, according to the Gospel, Rom. 16. 19. 26. 1 Pet. 1. 22. Rom. 6. 17. The Hypocrite he doth somewhat like unto this; for the un∣clean spirit seems to be cast out of him. Mat. 12. 13. But there is a vast difference between them herein also. 1 In the person doing. 2 In the thing done. 1 In the person doing. The sincere Chri∣stian looks to it, that he himself be rightly quali∣fied for the work, that he himself be good and accepted of God, that he be in Christ by faith, & so a new creature, otherwise his works cannot be accepted. Deut. 33. 10, 11. Gen. 4. 4, 5. God had respect to Abel and his offering, &c. But the hypocrite hath no regard of this, but being stil in his sins, & without the wedding garment of Christs righte∣ousness upon him, his work is not accepted, God heareth not sinners, Joh 9. 31. Mat. 24. 11, 12. Pro. 28. 9. 2 In the thing done. The obedience of the sincere Christian flows from the true and right principle, viz the new nature from his being re∣newed by the Spirit of God, Phil. 1. 11. But the the obedience of the Hypocrite floweth from corrupt principles, 1 Pet. 1. 22, 23.

2 The new obedience of the sincere Christian is regular and orderly. He is first taught, and commanded, he heareth what he is to beleeve and doe, and then hee is obedient to it. Jer. 31. 19. After that I was instructed, I smote upon the thigh, &c. Acts 9. 6. and 16. 30. and 2. 37, 38. Isa. 2. 2. Ephes. 1. 13. In whom ye trusted after that ye heard the word, &c. Rom. 10. 14, 15. But the obedience of the Hypocrite is oft times a blind and irregu∣lar obedience not grounded upon, and warran∣ted by the Word of God, but upon his own, or some other mans fancy and opinion. Rom. 10. 1, 2. They have a zeal of God, but not according to know∣lege.

3 He doth it knowingly and beleevingly; he not onely hath a word for what he beleeveth, and doth, but he knoweth he hath such a word for it, and so doth it in faith, which the Hypo∣crite heedeth little, and therefore is not accep∣ted, Rom. 14. 1, 2, 3, &c. Heb. 11. 4, 6. Acts 17. 23.

4 The new obedience of the sincere Christi∣an is an exact and compleat obedience; 1 it is universal. He is holy in all manner of conversa∣tion, and yeelds himself to do and suffer all that God will have him. 1 Pet. 1. 15. But that of the Hypocrite is lame and defective. And the obe∣dience of the sincere Christian it is universal.

1 As to the things to be obeyed.

2 It is entire, as to the man that doth obey

As to the first; the Hypocrite he is lame and de∣fective in this. His obedience is but by halves, or in part onely, as Jehu, Saul, and others, Mal. 2. 9. And have been partial in my Law. Hosea 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned. He doth as Herod, Mark 6. 20. did many things, not all that God comman∣ded. But the true Christian, he is through paced in his goings herein, as were Caleb and Joshua, who followed the Lord fully, Numb. 14. 24. and 32. 12. Deut. 1. 36. and David, who had respect to all Gods commandements. Psal. 119. 6. and Paul, who had a conscience voyd of offence towards God, and towards man, Acts 24. 16. and Zacharie and Elizabeth, who walked in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord blameless, Luke 1. 6. But more particularly. The sincere Christian he ceaseth from doing all that is evil, and he doth all that is good, Isa. 1. 6. The Hypocrite, he doth not cease from all that is evil; for either he is erroneous in his opinion, as those in 2 Pet. 2. and Jude 1, 2, &c. 1 Cor. 15. 12. or in his practise, or in both. Or (at the most and at the best) he doth depart from evil onely in his outside, his heart is where it was still, psal. 58. 2. Yea in heart ye work wickedness, Psal. 52. 3. And some evill or other hee doth most commonly re∣tain in his life still, as Judas he kept his cove∣tousness still, Joh. 12. 6. Herod he kept his bro∣thers wife still, Mark 6. 18. 20. Iehu whiles hee boasts so much of the zeal he had for the Lord,

and the uprightness of his heart therein, depart not from the sins of Iereboam which made Israel to sin. 2 Kings 10. 15, 31. Saul whiles he pretends so much tenderness of conscience in smaller mat∣ters, yet carrieth still within him his murdrous intentent to kill David, 1 Sam. 14. 33, 44. and 18. 10. and 20. 5. Exod. 16. 28, 29 2 Kings 5. 18. Zephan. 1. 5. Hosea 7. 7, 8, 9, 10. Isaiah 65. 3, 4, 5, 6. But the sincere Christian hee leaves all that is evil, in opinion, in practise, in heart, in life. The sin of his love and delight, inclination, age, temper, and constitution, profit, trade, office, calling; that which he is most tempted to, his open, his secret, his greater and his lesser sinnes. So David, Psal. 119. 128. I hate every false way, and 101. 3. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes. and 119. 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way. and 18. 23. I kept my self from mine intiquitie Psal, 19. 12. Cleanse thou me from secret faults. So Job from the sin of his inclination, he would not look on a maid; of his calling, as a Magistrate, he despised not the cause of the meanest; of his condition, as a rich man, hee would not oppress the poor; he kept from the sin of his affection, occasion, and profit, Job 31. throughout the chapter. And for the second part; the sincere Christian as hee doth cease from all that is evil, so hee doth all that is good. The Hypocrite, many of them I mean, have not an

appearance of some Graces, Acts 8. 21. Thine heart is not right, &c. Mat. 9. 13. Either he is failing in his doing, or in his suffering. Hee is commonly failing in the doing of some duties or works. So the Pharisees, Mat. 23. 23, 24. and have omitted the weighty matters of the Law, judge∣ment, mercy, and truth, &c. Hosea 7. 7. 8, &c. Eph∣raim hath mixed himself amon••st the people, &c. he is a cake half baked, &c. Mat. 15. 2. Ye transgressed the commandements of God by your traditions. But the sincere Christian hee is compleat in all the will of God, he hath somewhat of every Grace, Col. 2. 10. You are compleat in him. Heb. 13. 21. He is careful to perform all duties to God and man, to other men, to himself. To other men, to good men, to bad men, to friends, to enemies, to ac∣quaintance, to strangers. In relation, as Magi∣strate, Minister, People, Husband, Wife, Parent, Child, Master, Servant, &c. Duties of Word, of Work, greater, lesser, publick, private; of more and less advantage, as Cornelius, Acts 10. 2. who was a devout man, one that gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alwayes. Luke 1 6. And he doth also suffer all that God shall call him to suffer. Acts 21. 12. 13. And all this for the leaving of evil, and the doing of good. The sincere Christian doth his duty, 1 In all places. The Hypocrite he is not so carefull and exact in some, as he is in other places, at home and in

private, as he is abroad and in publick, Mat. 6. 5. The Pharisees were in appearance very devout, and did much in the Sinagogues, and in the streets, but did nothing at all in their closets. But the sincere Christian having his eye upon God, who is in all places alike, is alike carefull and exact in all places, in private as in publick, at home as abroad, in his closet as in his house, secretly as openly. So Joseph, Gen. 39. 9, 10. when tempted by his wanton Mistris to commit secret wickedness with her, answereth her, How can I doe this great wickedness and sin against God? Psalm 101. 2. I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

2 In all times, cases and conditions. The Hy∣pocrite, he is good at some times, and in some cases, as in times of peace and prosperitie, and times wherein he may gain, and not lose by his goodness, or whiles he is a wed by the presence of good men, Parents, Magistrates, or Ministees, and the like, and no longer. And so it seems it was with Joash, 2 Chron. 24. 2. Who did tho▪ which was right in the sight of the Lord all the daies of Jehoiadah the Priest. And such are those servants, Ephes 6. 6. That serve their masters with eye service as men pleasers, &c. Job 27. 10. Will he alwaies call upon God? But the true Christian is alike good and carefull in all times, cases, changes, and conditions, in time of health as time of sicknes,

in time of peace as in time of trouble, Phil. 4. 11. I have learned in whatsoever estate I am therewith to be content. Job 1. 8. 12, 21, 22. And he is the same in the presence of God onely, and when no other eye is upon him, Phil. 2. 12. As ye have alwaies o∣beyed not in my presence onely, but much more in my ab∣sence, &c. Ephes. 6. 5, 6, 7. Servants be obedient, &c. in singleness of heart as unto Christ, &c. Col. 3. 22. And he is the same in time of the persecuted, as he is in the time of the flouring state of the Go∣spel. He can (if need be) leave all for Christ, and the Gospels sake, 2 Cor. 6. 4, 5. But in all things approving our selves, &c. in afflictions, &c. 2 Cor. 8. 9. We had the sentence of death in our selves, &c. v. 12. in simplicitie and godly sinceritie, wee have had our conversation, &c. Mark 10. 28. We have left all and followed thee. Acts 21. 12, 13. I am ready not on∣ly to be bound, but also to dye at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Iesus, 2 Cor. 11. 26, 27. Psalm 119. 157, 161.

3 In all company. The Hypocrite he is com∣monly better in some, than he is in other com∣pany, 2 Chron. 24. 2. But the true Christian he is alike in all company, in the company of good, of bad men, of friends, of enemies, Psalm 119. 46. I will speak of thy testimonies before Kings, Phil. 2. 12. as ye have obeyed not onely in my presence, &c.

4 The true Christian holds out to the end: The Hypocrite, he is at the best, unstable in all his

waies, James 1. 8. as a cloud without water carried by the wind. Iude v. 12. apt to start aside like a de∣ceitful bow. Hosea 7. 16. He is very like to start aside in times of trial. Iob 27. 10. Will he alwaies call upon God? And he doth very often fall clean away to prophaness in life, heresie, and opinion, or to both. 1 Iohn 2. 19. they went out from us, but they were not of us. 2 Pet. 2 22. It is happened to them according to the Proverb, The Dog is turned to the vomit again. and the low that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Tim. 4. 10. 1 Sam. 13. 8. and 28. 7. Mat. 13. 21, 22. But this the sincere Christian connot doe Mat. 24. 14. They shall deceive if it were possible the very elect. For this new obedience of his is both a growing and increasing obedience Rev. 2. 19. His last works are better than his first. And it is a lasting, persevering, and con∣tinuing obedience. Psal. 119. 112. I have enclined my heart to perform thy statutes, alwaies even to the end, v. 24. continnally for ever and ever, Luke 2. 37. Yea and he doth commonly grow better & better, Ephes. 2. 21. 2 Thes. 1. 3. But the Hypocrite hee doth commonly grow worse and worse, 2 Tim. 3. 13. But Seducers wox worse and worse, de∣ceiving, and being deceived, &c. 2 Pet. 2. 20. This new obedience therefore of the new creature is such, as it breaks through, and gets over all im∣pediments, Acts 2. 42. Such as these (i.) mens com∣mands and threats. Acts 4. 19. Whether it be right in

the sight of God to hearken to you more than unto God judge ye? and 5. 29. We ought to obey God rather than men, Dan. 3. 12. 16.

2 Mens examples of all sorts. Iosh. 24. 15. Choose you this day whom you will serve, &c. But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Gen. 6. 9. and 7. 1.

3 Worldly profits and advantages, such as honour, pleasure, riches, and the like. Heb. 11. 8. By faith Abraham when he was called to goe out, &c. went, &c. and Moses v. 24, 25. when he came to years he refused, &c. choosing rather, &c.

4 Carnal reasonings. Heb. 11. 7. By faith Noah being warned of God in a dream, Gal. 1. 16, 17. I conferred not with flesh and blood. &c.

5 Relations and natural affections dependant upon them. Heb. 11. 17. By faith Abraham when he was tried offered up, &c. his sonne, his only sonne, Deut. 33. 9.

But 2. the obedience of the sincere Christian is compleat and entire also as to him that obey∣eth; for it is the obedience of his whole man bo∣dy 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 co∣vetousness, 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 un∣feigned, 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 Hypo∣crite

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 vine∣yard; 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 ther∣in. 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 Hy∣pocrite doth dare adventure to goe to God in his own name, and upon his own account, with∣out the name of Jesus Christ, as Mat. 22. 1, 2, 13 &c.

He saw there a man that had not on a wedding gar∣ment, &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 ac∣cepted 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 sa∣crifice than Cain, &c. But without Faith it is impos∣sible to please him; for he that cometh to God must be∣leeve, 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 unchear∣full 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 Chri∣stian 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 will∣ing people, Ps. 110. 3.

5 He doth it patiently. Where the Hypocrite is commonly in that which he doth and suffer∣eth 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, Good is the word of the Lord. Job 1. 21. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken, &c.

6 He doth it diligently, where the Hypocrite is commonly in his obedience especially in Gods service careless and negligent, Mal. 1. 14. Which hath in his flock a male, and sacrificeth to the Lord a corrupt thing, &c. Mat. 25. 24. He that had but one talent. The sincere Christian is usuually ve∣ry diligent and exact herein, 2 Pet. 1. 12. I will not be negligent, &c. 2 Cor. 8. 22. 1 Tim. 4. 14.

7 Hee doth it humbly, where the Hypocrite doth his work proudly, and conceitedly, as the Pharisee, Luke 18. 11. The sincere Chri∣stian doth it with the sense of his sinne, and with a broken and contrite heart. Luke 18. 13.

8 He doth it fervently, where the Hypocrite is cold and perfunctory in his service. Rev. 3. 15. The sincere Christian is fervent in spirit, and doth what hee doth fervently, Coll. 4. 12. James 5 16. Rom. 12. 14.

9 He doth it lovingly, where the Hypocrite doth it often with corrupt affections. James 15. 16. amd 1. 19, 20. The sincere Christian doth

it with love to God and man, 1 Tim. 2. 8. 1 Cor. 13. 1. 1 Cor. 5. 8. Hee doth it not with the leaven of malice tnd wickedness, but with the unlea∣vened bread of sinceritie and truth.

10 He doth it purely and holily. The obedi∣ence of the sincere Christian is not onely pure for the manner, but it flows from pure princi∣ples and motives; and is done by a pure rule, and ••o pure ends.

2 It comes from a pure heart. That of the Hypocrite comes from a filthy heart, Acts 8. 21, 22. Mat. 23. 25. But this of the sincere Christian comes from a pure heart, a heart purified by the blood of Christ, and by the Spirit of Christ. 1 Tim. 1. 5,

2 It is pure in the motives. by, and from which it is moved and carried. That which doth move and carry the Hypocrite in his obedience, is his self-love, and self-ends, and not any thing at all of God: he loveth not the commander, the command, nor the thing commanded for themselves. Or if there be any thing of God in it, it is so much only as may serve his own ends therein, Mat. 6 1, 2, &c. Mat. 23. throughout. So Jehu. Saul, Judas, and the rest.

Hee may sometimes bee kept from the do∣ing of evil perhaps by the fear of men, but very seldom by the fear of God, Mark 12. 12. Luke

20. 19, 22. 2 John 9. 22. and 7. 17. and 19. 38. Mat. 14. 5. Mark 11. 32. Gen. 39. 9. But that espe∣cially which doth move the sincere Christian in his obedience, is the love and fear of God. And from thence his desire to please, and his feare to offend God, the goodness of the thing to bee done or suffered, the conscience of his duty therein, and of his obligation thereunto by the love of God. Hee beleeves the promises because God saith, and obeyes the commands because God gives them. He loves the Law maker that commands, the Law or command it self, and the thing commanded. These, and such like things as these doe especially stir up, and carry on the sincere Christian to his obedience. So Heb. 11. 7. By Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen, moved with fear prepared an Ark, &c. Psalm 119. 161. My heart standeth in awe of thy word, 2 Cor. 5. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us, &c. 1. 17. Some out of love, Psalm 116. 1. I love the Lord, &c. John 21 15. and 16, 17. Ps. 119. 97. 127. I loae thy Law Psalm 40. 8. I delight to doe thy will, O God. Gen 39. 9. Job 31. 4. 14. 23. 2 Chron. 19. 6, 7. Ephes. 6. 6, 7.

And this fear of God makes him careless of the commands and threats of men, Exod. 1. 17. The Midwives feared God, &c. Heb. 11. 27. By Faith be forsook Aegypt, not fearing the wrath of the King.

2 It is pure in the Rule by which his obe∣dience is governed. The Hypocrite, he makes his own fancie, and the commands and inventi∣ons of other men his rule and warrant for what he doth therein. Mat. 15. 2. Why doe thy disciples transgress the traditions of the Elders? &c. Gal. 1. 14. John 4. 21, 22. Acts 17. 22. Mat. 23. 16, 17. But the sincere Christian, he makes the pure Word of God alone his rul e and warrant for whatsoever he beleeveth, doth and suffereth, Col. 3. 10. The new man is said to be renewed in knowledge, Gal. 1. 9. Gal. 6. 16. Acts 13. 36.

3 It is also pure for the manner of it, as is already shewed.

4 This new obedience is pure in the ends of it. The Hypocrites end in all that he doth and suffereth is himself, as he is moved in his obedi∣ence from self-love, so is he carried to self-ends. He seeks himself, not God and Christ, his main design and intention in all that hee doth and suffereth from the beginning to the end thereof, is especially, if not only his own glory or praise, his own profit, or pleasure, or some way or o∣ther to satisfie his own lusts. He lookes no fur∣than at earthly pleasures, comforts, and advan∣tages in this world. God is not in al his thoughts, or if hee be, it is onely to thinke how hee may serve himself upon him. And if God be in his eye, yet he lookes at something beyond, above,

above or before him. In shew he seeks God, but in truth he seeks himself. He seems to fol∣low God and Christ, but it is not for God and Christ, but for his own sake. He follows Christ for the loaves, as the nine Leapers to be healed onely, Iohn 6. 26. Luke 17. 12. And as the sheep doe follow the shepheard as long as the bot∣tle of hay is in his hand, and no longer; and not as a childe that follows the father out of love, who wil follow him every where. The Pharisees did pray and give almes to be seen of men, Mat. 6. 2. They made long praiers to the end they might devoure widowes houses. Hosea 7. 14. Ye assemble for wine and corn. Zach 7. 5. Did ye at all fast unto me? &c. Micah 3. 11. They judge for ieward, and divine for money, and yet lean upon me, &c. Acts 20 30. Phil. 1. 17. Preached Christ out of envy. But the sincere Christian in all his active and passive obedience, as hee is carryed forth therein especially from the love and feare of God and Christ, so doth he act therein for God and Christ as well as for himself. And indeed God is his great object, motive, end, and all in all: He followeth them as wel for their owne sakes as for his owne sake. They are his principal and ultimate end, and the center to which he tends in all that he doth and suffer∣eth. His main scope and special aim therein to which all is in his intention referred is to glori∣fie

God, and advance the Name of the Lord Je∣sus Christ, and to testifie his love to God; for the love of God shewed to him in Christ. And therefore it doth not satisfie him to do any thing as for the publick good, the Common wealth, or the like. So the Heathen men have done, un∣less he goe higher, and shoot as far as the utmost white and mark of all, which is Gods glory; he cannot be satisfied to come short of this, or to goe beyond it with reference to any thing else. Rom. 14. 8. Whether we live we live to the Lord, &c. Phil. 1. 21. For me to live is Christ, &c. Luke 17. 12. The Leapers one of them when hee saw hee was healed returned and glorified God, &c. 1 Tim. 1. 17. Now to the King immortal, &c. 1 Tim. 6. 16. Rev. 4. 11. Thou art worthy to receive glory, &c. Rev. 5. 12. Saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb, &c. Psalm 115. 1. Not unto us, but to thy Name, &c. So John the Baptist of Christ, John 3. from verse 27 to the end. Iohn 1. 19, 20, &c. This is the re∣cord of John, &c. And he confessed and denied not, but confessed, I am not the Christ, &c. He is from heaven, &c. He must increase, &c. 2 Cor. 4. 5. Wee preach not our selves, but Christ Iesus the Lord, &c. Ioshua 7. 9. What wilt thou doe for thy great Name, &c. Psalm 111. 9. Holy and reverend is his Name. Iohn 14. 14. Psalm 44. 22. For thy sake are wee killed all the day long, we, &c. Luke 2. 14, 20. Canticl. 7. 13. Deut. 28. 58. Hab. 3. 17.

1 Thes. 2. 4. Even so we speak not as pleasing men, but God, &c. Gal. 1. 10. or doe I seek to please men, &c. And therefore he doth so, because this is required by the Gospel of him, 1 Cor. 6. 20. Ye are bought with a price wherefore, glorifie him, &c. 1 Cor. 10. 31. do all to the glory of God, &c. Col. 3. 17. Whatsoever ye doe in word or in deed, doe all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, and the Father by him, Mat. 6. 9. 13.

And next to Gods glory the true Christian he doth in his obedience active and passive aim at, and design the good of all men, especially of godly men: So Paul, 1 Cor. 10. 33. Even as I not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many that they may be saved. So David, Acts 13. 36. After hee had served his own generation, &c. Ps. 78. 72. Luke 7. 5, 6. Gal. 6. 10. Acts 20. 35. 1 Cor. 8. 8, 9, 10.

And in the last place next to Gods glory, and the good of other men, he doth design his own spiritual good here, and the salvation of his body and soul hereafter, 1 Cor. 9. 27. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Acts 2. 40.

And in this order of his working to those ends he doth not onely follow the light of Gods Word, but the light of Nature, which some of the Heathen saw and taught. That man was not born for himself; but first for God, next for his country, and lastly for himself.

SECT. XXII.

In their affections and manifestations therof as to Christs appearing, as to enemies, the sins of the times, troubles of the Churrh, love to the world, holy duties, to works of mercy and justice, re∣ceipts of gifts, order of Gods working, reformation of his family, and in their assurance of salvation.

And finally the sincere Christian also doth more or less commonly outstrip the Hypocrite in all these things that follow.

1 He doth more or less love, long, pray, and prepare for Christs appearing to judgment, Rev. 22. 17. The Spirit and the Bridegroom say come. Cant. 1. 14. Make hast my beloved. 1 Cor. 1. 7. Waiting for the coming of our Lord Iesus, Mat. 25. 1, 2, 3, &c. 2 Tim. 4. 8. This the Hypocrite cannot endure to hear of, or think upon, or prepare for, Is. 33. 14. The sinners in Sion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprised the Hypocrites. Rev. 6. 16. And said to the mountains and rocks fall on us, and hide us from the face, &c. And from the wrath of the Lamb.

2 He can love his enemies, and doe good for evil, Acts 7. 59. 60. They stoned Stephen. And hee cried, &c. Lord lay not this sin to their charge. Job. 31. 29, 30. If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that

hated me, &c. Mat. 23. 32. and 5. 43, 44. But this the Hypocrite cannot do, Mat. 5. 46. If ye love them that love you, what reward have you.

3 He doth grieve and mourn for, and make op∣sition against the sins of the time and place wherein hee liveth, 2 Pet. 2. 7. For that righ∣teous man in seeing and hearing vexed his righte∣ous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds, Ps. 119. 136. Rivers of water run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy Law. But it is otherwise with the Hypocrite, who doth many times rather re∣joyce in the sinnes of others and joyn with them then mourne because of the same, Psalm 50. 16. 18.

4 He can doth more or less sympathize and fellow-feel in the troubles of his brethren, pity and help them, 2 Cor. 11. 29. Who is weak and I am not weak? &c. Nehem. 1. 2, 3, 4. When I heard these words I sate down and wept &c. Ps. 112. 4. Rom. 12. 4, 5. at which many Hypocrites doe rather rejoice. Obadiah 12. 13. But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother, &c. neither shouldest thou have rejoyced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction. Psalm 35. 25. So would wee have it, Mat. 27. 41. The chief Priests mocking him said, he saved others, &c.

5 Hee can and doth more or less live a∣bove the world, and trample the honours, plea∣sures, and profits thereof under his feet, Rev.

12. 1. A woman cloathed with the Sun, and the Moon under her feet. Galat. 6. 14 God forbid I should re∣joice in any thing but the crosse of our Lord Jesus, by whom the world is crucified to mee, and I unto the world. Job 31. 24, 25. If I have made gold my hope, &c. or rejoiced because my wealth was great, &c. Heb. 11. 24, 25. 2 Tim. 3. 2, 4. Phil. 3. 7. 19, 20. But the Hypocrite is not so, but commonly is covetous, a lover of the world, his pleasure, his profit, or his honour. 2 Tim. 3. 2, 4. Lovers of themselves, covetous. 2 Tim. 4. 10. Lovers of pleasures. Mat. 23. 25.

6 He can, and doth, having a low esteeme of himself and his own deserts, thankfully acknow∣ledge his receipts of benefits from God. Gen. 32. 10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, &c. Mat. 8. 8. Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof, Luke 17. 15. And one of them when he saw that hee was healed turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. Psalm 26. 7. 2 Sam. 7. 18. But the Hypocriee having high thoughts of himself, and his own worth and works, as if God were beholding to him for his service to him, he is commonly very unthankful for what he receives from God. Luke 17. 14, 15. As in nine of the ten Leapers. Isa. 58. 3. We have fasted, and thou regardest it not.

7 The sincere Christian hee is careful to sub∣mit

to Gods means, and goe Gods waies for the attainment and accomplishment of Gods ends. But the Hypocrite hee wil not stick at the use of any unlawful meanes to bring to passe Gods end, when it may also sute with his own end therein, Hab. 2. 3, 4.

8 The sincere Christian hee doth much more labour against the sins of his own family, and relations. But the Hypocrite he looks al abroad, and takes no care at home, hee is bitter against the sinnes of others, and seems very active many times in the reformation of the evil that is a∣broad, but doth nothing at hom. Mat. 7. 1, 3. Mat. 23. 15. Why seest thou the mote, &c.

9 The sincere Christian is commonly of a more composed spirit and behaviour in prosperitie and adversitie than the Hypocrite is, Phil. 4. 11. I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to bee content. Job 2. 9, 10, and 21. The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken, &c. But the Hypocrite, in such times is commonly more discomposed, and disturbed in time of adversitie he doth de∣spair, 2 Kings 6. 33. What should I waite for the Lord any longer. And in time of prosperity hee is lifted up to forget the Lord and himself both, Psal. 106 throughout

10 Hee is, and doth shew himselfe to bee really more merciful, just, true, loving, meek,

humble, and peaceable in heart, word, and work than the Hypocrite is, who is, and very often shews himself more fraudulent, unjust, ambitious, cruel, envious, contentious. John 1. 30. and 3. 28. 1 Cor. 4. 6. Micah 6 8 Mat. 33. 5, 6, 12, 13. 3 Joh. 9. Luke 18. 10, 12. Isa. 65 5. Job 31 throughout.

11 And lastly, some sincere Christians are by the witnesse of the Spirit of God in them, some more, some lesse, assured of their inte∣rest in Christ, and their part in eternal life, 1 Io. 5. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Hee that beleeveeth, &c. hath the witness in himself, &c. Heb. 10. 15. 1 Iohn 4. 13. Hereby know we that wee dwel in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit, Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Ephes. 1. 13. Ye were sealeo by that holy Spirit of promise. And in this the Hypocrite hath no share at all. But many of them lye and dye under the feare of eternal vengeance from God, as the just reward of his Hypocrisie, and none of them ever had any true and well grounded assurance, Ier. 33. 14. The sinners in Sion are afraid, fearfulness hath surpri∣the Hypocrites. Rev. 6. 16.

SECT. XXIII.

So that now (upon the whole matter) wee may perceive that the sincere Christian doth out strip, and go beyond the Hypocrite through∣out.

1 Quoad principium gratiae, as to his Foundati∣on, Root, or Spring, the immortal, and incor∣ruptible seed of Grace in the New Creature, he is Regenerate. But the Hypocrite is not so. And therefore that which is wrought in him is a cor∣ruptible thing that will never come to good.

2 Quoad incrementum gratiae, as to the increase of Grace he doth more or less grow and increase in Grace. But it is otherwise with the Hypo∣crite, who commonly after a little while doth grow worse and worse.

3 Quoad exercitium gratiae; as he hath every grace so it is as true that his graces put him up∣on the exercise of them, but the graces of hy∣pocrites are but seemingly such, their faith be∣ing but a dead Faith. And as for that work of Grace in a sincere Christian which lyeth in the external actings hee doth excell also in these things.

1 That which he doth he doth by the right rule of Gods Word, which shews the wil of God, and he doth all that. But the Hypocrite he fol∣loweth

his own, and the will of other men, and at the most he doth but a part of Gods wil only.

2 Hee doth that which hee doth in a right manner with the whole heart. But the Hypo∣crite otherwise.

3 He doth that which he doth to the right end, to Gods glory, and not to the praise of himself as the hypocrite doth.

SECT. XXIV.

But by all this we have spoken of the com∣pleat and exact obedience of the sincere Chri∣stian, we do not intend, nor would be understood that the sincere Christians life is perfect, and without sinne; for that is to affirm contrary to what the Holy Ghost affirmeth, and experience hath evidenced to us of the lives of all men, and the best men that ever lived, that they all had their faults, and to assure us thereof, some of them, yea very many of them are recorded in Scripture, and left us for our learning, to let us know that there is not a man that liveth & sin∣eth not. The phrases of speech therefore which we have used, and that which we have affirmed of the obedience of the sincere Christian, that hee leaveth all sinne, and doth all duties at all times, and in all places, cases, &c. And the Phrases of the Scripture applyed to the Saints, that they followed the Lord fully, were

in all the commandements of God blamelesse, and were perfect, they are to be understood not in a legal or in a litteral, but in an Evangelical sense: For doubtlesse the utte••most obedience that is expected, or that can be performed by the most absolute and perfect Christian that is most sincere is. That hee hath a real and unfai∣ned will, and desire, and a real intention and purpose, and doth his endeavour with all his might to doe and fulfil the whole wil of God therein. And he is grieved that he cannot doe it more perfectly. And that which he doth of it he doth in sincerity. And when he hath done all, he thinketh himself to be but an unprofitable ser∣vant, and to have done lesse than was his duty to doe. And he doth not trust to himself there∣in but to the Righteousness of God in Christ. And in this only or especially in this point doth the sincere Christian eminently excel and out∣strip all the Hypocrites, yea the most refined Hy∣pocrites in the world, who have not any such un∣fained wil, desire, purpose, or intention (but rather the contrary thereof) in them. Nor do they endeavour at all so to doe in all things as we have shewed elswhere at large. And this progress towards the perfect doing in the sincere Christian is esteemed with God as the perfect doing of the thing it self, Heb. 11. 17. By Faith Abraham when hee was tried offered up

Isaac, &c. 1 Cor. 8. 12. For if there bee first a willing minde it is accepted according to that a man hath, &c.. VVe are here also to adde this cau∣tion further in reference to all that wee have spoken to this head, that the faigned Graces of the Hypocrites and their gifts, are in some hearts so like to true Grace, that it is hard to distin∣guish them. And in the hearts of the most sincere, corrupt affections and motions stirre so much, that it is hard to conclude any thing cer∣tainly and definitively herein, more or further than this. That the more we find of the motions and operations of Sinceritie, the more cause we have to judge our selves sincere. And the more we see of the motions and operatious of Hypo∣crisie, the more cause wee have to suspect our selves thereof. All these things therefore are cautiously to be heeded and used. But for this see more in the beginning of the next Chapter. If yet you shall desire to see some more certain signes of the sincere man, and of the Hypocrite, we shall endeavour to give you some of them in the nevt Chapter.