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.

In a growth of Grace.

16. He may in appearance thrive, and grow herein towards perfection: As the three sorts of bad hearers did, Luke 8. 12, 13, 14. &c. and Mat. 13. 25.

17. And by all this he may get a great name and esteeme amongst men, for a true Christian, Mat. 25. 1, 2. &c.

18. And he may thus continue without any suspicion to his dying day, Luke 25. 11. and 13. 25, 26, 27, 28. But for the farther clearing of all these last named particulars within this Se∣ction. See Numb: 23. 10. Let me dye the death of the Righteous. Numb. 24. 2, 3, &c. 1 Cor: 11. 30, 31, 32. For this cause many are weake &c. If we would judge our selves &c. but when we are judged, we are chastned of the Lord, that we be not condemned &c. which would seem to have this intimation, that notwithstanding all your gifts, Parts, and pro∣gresse in Christianity, if you have secret evills, and do not labour to find them out, and judge your selves for them, you may be condemned with the world, 1 Cor: 15. 19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ &c. which words seem to imply thus much, That if all our Parts, gifts,

desires, works, &c. reach and look no farther, and last no longer, then for this present life, that our Faith, Hope, &c. be but temporary moved from, and carried to something that is not beyond this life, we are in a sad case, it will doe us no more good then the wealth glo∣ry, and good things which Dives had, Luke 16. 25. Io. 6. 27. 1 Cor: 13. 8, 13. 1 Pet. 1. 22, 24, 25. Seeing ye have purified, &c. Being borne again not of Corruptible seed &c. By which words are intimated thus much, That, unlesse you mani∣fest the work of the spirit within you, in obedi∣ence to the truth, by having your hearts purify∣ed, and by an unfeyned, pure, and fervent love of the Saints, beyond that work which is wrought in the hearts of Hypocrites, you will not have the evidence within you of that Rege∣neration which is true, and effectually wrought of God by his spirit through the word, by which there is effected an immortall seed of Grace that abideth for ever. But if it be only some morall vertues, or common gifts, be they never so excellent and glorious, that have the face of the new Creature, and he in whom they are, be not a new Creature indeed, they are reckoned with God but as flesh, which is as gr••sse, and the flower of the field, they will doe a man no more good, nor last any longer then riches, honours, and such like things, which

are but for this life only, Phil. 3. 4, 5. 2 Pe. 3. 4 It is said, Psal: 106. 11, 12. then believed they his words. (that is) when they had seen such signall manifestations of Gods power, and working for them against their enemies, they were for the present as full of Faith in God, his promise and joy, as a bladder of wind, they soon forgat &c. it had no root nor well grounded principle, they fell back. But lusted exceedingly &c. Mat. 13. 21, 22. Phill: 3. 4, 5, 19. 1 Tim: 6. 5. 2 Pe. 3, 4. Exod: 14. 31. compared with 15. 23, 24. Numb. 13. 26, 27. &c. 14. 1. 27. &c. And thus he may strive in his inward, as well as in his outward man, to enter into heaven, and not be able, Luke 13. 24.