I bless God it is not left to the opinions of men; and should I attempt it, no doubt it would meet with severe criticisms from some, and mere cant from others; for a writer observes—“of all the cants which are canted in this canting world, the cant of hypocrisy is the worst.” Yet the cant of criticism is the most tormenting. I say not this because I am afraid of advancing any truth for fear of censure; no, I consider censure to be the tax that every public character has to pay to the public if he is in any way useful. I have often been grieved in reading the lives of good men, written in such a strain as if they were truly perfect in thought, word and deed, quite holy and unblameable in every thing. This is not the method the Holy Spirit has adopted—in the word, the graces, and the failings, the falls and the renewings, the sighs, and the songs of his people are well drawn by the pencil of truth. What they are in Adam the first, and what they are in Christ is clearly delineated. But with all the infirmities they possess it is a mercy the Holy Spirit has made them truly _sincere_; and this the apostle prays for—“that ye may be _sincere_ and without offence in the day of Christ.” And under this divine influence he rejoices that in all simplicity and godly _sincerity_ he had his conversation in the world; and hence that important exhortation of pious Joshua, “only fear the Lord in _sincerity_ and truth.” And the apostle also exhorts the Lord’s people to keep the gospel feast in _sincerity_, and to remember the Lord’s poor, as a proof their love was _sincere_ towards the Lord; to whom also he wishes much grace and peace, even to all them that love our Lord Jesus in _sincerity_. And as an ornament, yea, a principal qualification of an elder, he mentions in doctrine shewing gravity, _sincerity_, and as new-born babes desire the _sincere_ milk of the word, that they may grow thereby—not only the word but the milk of the word, that they may grow in knowledge, faith and love.