Is This Your Likeness? A Scriptural Definition of Hypocrisy and Sincerity

Transcribed from the 1826 R. Weston edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org Many thanks to the Bodleian Library for allowing their copy to be consulted.
Scriptural Definition
HYPOCRISY AND SINCERITY .
BY J. CHURCH .
WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE?
“TRUST ME I DRAW THE LIKENESS TRUE AND NOT AS FANCY PAINTS.”
LONDON:
PRINTED BY R. WESTON, QUEEN’S GARDENS, CROSBY ROW, SOUTHWARK.
1826 .
“AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHLY SO SHALL WE ALSO BEAR THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY.”
The great and excellent Mr. Toplady remarks on painting—
1. When a portrait painter takes a likeness, there most be an original from whom to take it. Here the original are God and Christ. ‘When I awake up after thy likeness,’ &c.; and, we are “predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son.” 2. The painter changes the materials on which he will delineate his piece. There are paintings on wood, on glass, on metals, on ivory, on canvass. So God chooses and selects the persons, on whom his uncreated spirit shall, with the pencil of effectual grace, re-delineate that holy likeness which Adam lost. Among these are some, whose natural capacities, and acquired improvements, are not of the first-rate: there the image of God is painted on wood . Others of God’s people have not those quick sensibilities, and poignant feelings, by which many are distinguished: there the Holy Spirit’s painting is on marble . Others are permitted to fall from the ardour of their first love, and to deviate from their stedfastness: there the Holy Spirit paints on glass , which, perhaps, the first stone of temptation may injure. But the celestial Artist will, in time, repair those breaches, and restore the frail brittle Christian, to his original enjoyments, and to more than his original purity; and, what may seem truly wonderful, divine grace restores the picture, by breaking it over again. It is the broken-hearted sinner to whom God will impart the comforts of salvation. 3. The ancients painted only in water-colours ; but the moderns (from about A.D. 1320) have added beauty and durability to their pictures, by painting them in oil . Applicable to hypocrites and true believers. An hypocrite may outwardly bear something that resembles the image of God; but it is only in fresco, or water colours , which do not last; and are, at best, laid on by the hand of dissimulation. But (if I may accommodate so familiar an idea to so high a subject) the Holy Spirit paints in oil ; he accompanies his work with unction and with power, and hence it shall be crowned with honour, and praise, and glory, at Christ’s appearing. 4. All pictures are not of one size . There are various dimensions, from the miniature to the full length. So in grace below. 5. All pictures are not framed alike ; some are gilt, some are plain, and some have no frames at all. Remember, that as the value of a picture does not depend on the frame, but on the execution of the piece itself, so your happiness and holiness does not depend on your outward station or condition, but on the work of grace wrought in your soul by the Holy Spirit. 6. Some pictures are highly varnished; some not. Some believers are learned, elegant and polite. Others, who yet are believers still, want those unessential embellishments. See this contrasted in Mr. Hervey and Mr. Bunyan, yet both shine alike in the kingdom of God. 7. All pictures do not bear an equally strong resemblance of their original. Nor are all Christians equally conformed, at present, to Christ. In some, the canvass is but preparing; they are only under the first drawings of the Spirit. In others there are rude outlines, or a mere sketch, not yet filled up: but the colours are preparing, and, in due time, they will be laid on. Others are so far advanced, that a few touches more will fit them for the skies. And others, which are completely finished, are in heaven, to be part of the living furniture of God’s palace to all eternity. And, what these are the rest shall be. 8. A fine painting is seldom finished at once . Successive sittings are usually required, and repeated touches of the artist. Grace rarely does its work all at once. The thief indeed, on the cross, received the divine image at a single sitting; and in others, whom God may call at the eleventh or even the twelfth hour, the work may be cut short in righteousness. But, generally speaking, our consummation in grace resembles the progress of a building, which is gradually raised, and carried up from the foundation, part by part. Rome was not built in a day. 9. The ground-work of a picture undergoes a preparation before the colours are superinduced. It is washed, or cleared, or boiled in oil, according to the nature of the material. ’Ere we are susceptible of the image of the heavenly, the soul must experience a preparatory work of conviction. Prejudices must be cleared away; enmity slain, &c. 10. To discern and admire the beauty of a picture, a person must have three things— eyes , light , and taste , (or a susceptibility of receiving pleasure from a beautiful object.) The world, spiritually speaking, want all the three. Hence their hatred of God’s children. 11. Some Christians are like paintings in Mosaic . They have somewhat almost of every thing, except uniformity and consistency of conduct. But, when their hearts come to be established with grace, they will be more of a-piece; and, when in heaven, they will be all of a-piece. 12. A number of heterogeneous, and seemingly contradictory, ingredients are used by painters in mixing their colours; but they are all useful, expedient, and necessary. So are the various providences of God toward his people.