Is This Your Likeness? A Scriptural Definition of Hypocrisy and SincerityChurch, J. (John)
Religion
Is This Your Likeness? A Scriptural Definition of Hypocrisy and Sincerity
Church, J. (John)
Christian life
Searching out, spreading abroad, scandalizing, and rejoicing in the real
or supposed falls, sins and infirmities of others, to cover their own
sins, such are HYPOCRITES.
Pretenders to universal love to all, at the same time haters of truth,
those who preach it boldly, and profess it sincerely, are HYPOCRITES.
Making an outcry against one sin and living in another, for instance, a
covetous professor may storm against the sin of drunkenness; why, because
he loves his money so inordinately—yet will not scruple to drink
occasionally a little too much at another person’s expence, this is
HYPOCRISY.
Persons who would almost starve a wife, children, servants, and
apprentices at home, to gain money, that they may have a good name by
subscribing liberally to religious or civil society, are HYPOCRITES.
But, alas! there is no end to the hypocrisy of the human heart. The only
cure is grace enabling a man to set God always before him, and cause him
daily to walk in simplicity and godly sincerity—thus to have his
conversation in this world. I once more remark, when professors gives
themselves up to idleness, going from house to house, busy-bodies in
other men’s matters, presume upon the providence of God, and boast that
they live by faith—that this promise, and the other, has been applied to
them, and so expect to be fed as Elijah was by the ravens, such mumping
professors, are HYPOCRITES.
When persons unhumbled, unrenewed by grace, suddenly leap up into full
assurance of faith, without any chastening from the law or tenderness of
conscience, a few scraps of divinity in the head, and at the same time
treat with contempt the meek, the dejected, the broken-hearted seeker,
thinking lightly of contrition, godly sorrow and repentance, unto life or
obedience of faith, such are HYPOCRITES.
When a person, whether a public or private character, scandalizes another
on account, or rather envying his fame, usefulness or popularity, taking
every opportunity to degrade his person, actions, or reputation, although
unknown to the calumniator, he is an HYPOCRITE.
Those who pretend much love to God, while he is pleased to bless them in
providence, but leave their profession when God is pleased to cross them,
such are like children won with an apple and lost with a nut, such love
is soon kindled and soon quenched, turn enemies to God and his truths
when their expectations fail, such are HYPOCRITES.
When persons profess much love to a minister or fellow member in the
church, while in prosperous circumstances, but when trouble, persecution,
disgrace, disrepute or poverty befal them, they know them no more, like
the cuckoo who will abide with you during the summer, but when winter
approaches, will take his leave of you, nor perhaps, ever own you again.
Ah! how unlike the love of Christ. In general you will find such to be
HYPOCRITES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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