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.

SECT. I.

1 For Information. 1 To shew us somewhat of the reason of the Disciples speech to Christ, and his answer to them in Luke 23. 23, 24. Lord, are there f••w that shall be saved? And hee said unto them, strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many I say unto you will seek to enter and shall not be able, &c. And of Christs words, Matth. 7. 13, 14. Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth to life, and few there bee that finde it. And of that in 1 Pet 4. 18. If the Righteous scarcely bee saved, where shall the ungodly and sinners appeare. 2 To shew us, that there is great cause to doubt, that amongst the many glorious Professors of Religion in these days, there may be very few sincere, & very many

And if so, may we not in our time take up the complaints and lamentations of the holy men of former times, and of such times wherin were godly Kings, and wherein Religion flourished, as in the time of the Prophet David. Psal. 12. 1 Help Lord for the godly faile &c. and of the Prophet Jeremiah Ierem. 5. 1 run too and fro &c. and see &c. and seeke if he can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth &c. And of the Prophet Isaiah Isai. 59. 15. Yea truth faileth, and he that de∣parteth from evill maketh himselfe a prey. And of the Prophet Micah. Micah 7. 1. 2. 4. the good man is perished out of the earth, and there is none upright amongst men: they are as the grape gleanings of the vintage &c. the best of them is as a brier, the most upright is sharper then a thorn-hedge; where we have the best of them of the time, compared to thorns and briers, which are of a hurtfull, catching, scratching pricking, vexing, greiving nature, to all that come neer unto, or medle with them. Ezech 28. 24. Numb. 34. 55. Iudges 9. 14. 15. Iosh. 23. 13. And are not most of the glorious Proffessors of Religion of our dayes such one towards ano∣ther. VVhat meaneth else the bitter Envy, ma∣lice, wrath, jealousie. contempt, and evill sur∣misings of mens hearts within: And from with∣out, the strife, debate, contention, whispering,

back-biting, slandering, censuring, judging, threatning, provoking, scoffing, scorning, ray∣ling, reproaching, sleighting by gestures, words, and deeds, pass from one of them towards ano∣ther. And what else mean the manifold Heresies, Seditions, Calumniations, Invectives, Confusions and evil works, that are to be found every where amongst the eminent Professors of the Gospel (agreeing together in the Head Christ and sub∣stance of Doctrine) about differences of cere∣monie and circumstance. Have not parties, facti∣ons, and interests, almost devoured and eaten up all appearance of Sinceritie amongst us. Prov. 20. 6. Most men proclaim every man his goodness, but a faithfull man who can find? 3 To shew that the sin∣cere Christian is a rare piece and precious jewel in Gods account, his delight is much in, his heart is much upon him. John 1. 47. Behold an Israelite indeed, &c. Psal. 11. 7. His countenance doth behold the upright, &c. 4 To shew the gross mistake, and horrible slander that generally doth pass a∣mongst the worst, and against the best men of the time. That all they are a sort of notorious Hypocrites who are a sort of the most eminent Professors of the Christian Faith, whereas we have made it appear that such a glorious pro∣fession is of necessity to make up the sincere Chri∣stian. And that such Professors if they are not the men, they are the most like to them of any men in the world.

5 To shew the desperate estate of men that are openly wicked, that do nothing at all for, or to∣wards their attainment of heaven, but al they can against it. If the sincere Christian be saved with much difficulty, and if they that bid so faire for Christ as some Hypocrites do, go without him, they that bid nothing at all for him are never like to have him. These are not so much as comming towards, or neere to the kingdome of God as the young man in the Gospell. Mark. 12. 34. 1 Pet 4. 18, If the righteous scarsly be saved, where then shall the ungodly and sinners appear. If the seeming friends, followers, and servants of Christ that have owned him as their Lord, seemed to honour, love, and respect him, and his people, and to give some heed to his word, and have brought forth some fruit therof unto him, that have done many things, and some great things for him, and suffered also much for him; if all these shall bee sent away notwithstanding with a Dep at from me ye that work iniquity, I know you not, &c. Mat. 6. 21, 22, 23. Luke 13. 24, 25, 26, &c. 1 Cor. 13. 1, 2, &c. Mat. 13 20, 21, 22. And if every tree which bring∣eth not forth good fruit will bee cast in the fire, Mat. 3. 10. where shall such appear▪ and what will be the end of them that shew themselves to be the enemies of Christ, that hate him, and his people for his sake, Luke 19 14. Iohn 15. 24, 25. That say we wil not have this man to rule over us. Luk. 19.

14. But let us break their bonds, and cast away their cords. Psal 2. 3. and 50. 17. That refuse to hear Christ speaking, Heb. 12. 25. That neglect the offer of his grace therein, and will have none of him. Ps. 81. 11. Mat. 23. 37. Heb. 2. 3. That scoff at it, Acts 2. 30. That blaspheme and contradict it. Acts 13. 15. That persecute it, the Preachers and Professors of it. Acts 13. 50. and 8. 1. with slanders, railings, revilings, and every way be∣sides even to the death, as time doth serve for it. Mat. 5 10, 17. Mat. 21. 33, 34. Mat. 25. 48, 49. That bring forth no fruit but wild grapes. Is. 5. 2. Bri∣ars and thorns. Heb. 6. 8. What will be the end of these men? Their end is to be burned. Heb. 6. 8. They shall be dashed in pieces like a Potters ves∣sel. Psal. 2. 9. They shall be torn in pieces. Ps. 50. 22. He will miserably destroy such wicked men. Mat. 21. 41. They shall be brought forth and slain before his face. Luke 19. 27. They shall be cut a∣sunder, and have their portion with hypocrites. Mat. 25. 50 And they shall not escape. Heb. 2. 3. Nor shall there be any to deliver. Ps. 50. 22. And as to such as were once the professed friends of Christ, and after become his professed enemyes, what will the end of such men be? we have it in the sin and punishment both together, in Heb. 10. 26, 27. &c. in these words: For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinns, but a certain

fearfull looking for of judgement and fierie indignation. which shall devoure the adversaries. Hee that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy under two or three wit∣nesses. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trampled under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despight to the spirit of Grace, &c.