(1.) As that which is a reigning sin, inconsistent with a state of grace; in which respect an hypocrite is opposed to a true believer. Such make a fair shew of religion; but it is with a design to be seen of men, Matt. vi. 5. They are sometimes, indeed, represented as _seeking_ God, and _enquiring early_, or with a kind of earnestness after him, when under his afflicting hand; but this is deemed no other than a _flattering him with their mouth, and a lying unto him with their tongues_; inasmuch as _their heart is not right with him_, Psal. lxxviii. 34,-37. And elsewhere, they are said to _love the praise of men more than the praise of God_, John xii. 43. (2.) It may be farther considered, as that which believers are sometimes chargeable with, which is an argument that they are sanctified but in part; but this rather respects some particular actions, and not the tenor of their conversation: Thus the apostle Paul charges Peter with dissimulation, Gal. ii. 11,-13. though he was far from deserving the character of an hypocrite, as to his general conversation. And our Saviour cautions his disciples against hypocrisy, as that which they were in danger of being overtaken with, Luke xii. 1. though he does not charge them with it as a reigning sin, as he did the Scribes and Pharisees, whom he compares to _painted sepulchres_, Matt. xxiii. 27, 28. nor were they such as the apostle speaks of, whom he calls _double-minded men, who are unstable in all their ways_, James i. 8. As to that hypocrisy which we may call a reigning sin, this may be known, [1.] By a person’s accommodating himself to all those whom he converses with, how much soever this may tend to the dishonour of Christ and the gospel: And this may give us occasion to enquire, _First_, Whether the apostle Paul was in any respects, chargeable with this sin, when he says, in 1 Cor. ix. 20-22. _Unto the Jews, I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak, became I as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some._ For the understanding of this scripture, and vindicating the apostle from the charge of hypocrisy, let it be considered,