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.
When persons shun those sins that would bring on them public scandal, and at the same time in love with secret sins, and spare these, because no one knows it, thinking small sins, if not known, will do no harm, yet making a sad outcry against sin, especially the sins of their neighbours, such are Hypocrites.
When persons boast and are proud of their own holy motives, sincerity of heart, holiness of life, purity of conduct, and a good name in the world, while destitute of the pardon of their sins, destitute of the faith of God’s elect, whereby the righteousness of Christ is received, destitute of the sanctifying teaching of the Holy Spirit, such are Hypocrites.
But while we view the wretched state and character of the hypocrite, as set forth in God’s word, may we not pray in the devout language of David.—“Who can understand his error; cleanse thou me from my secret faults; keep back also thy servant from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me; so shall I be innocent from the great transgression.” And as expressed in the Litany of the Church of England—“and from all hypocrisy, good Lord deliver us.” The hypocrite thus painted to the life, we cannot err in the description; many have been painted by others very differently, and many have painted themselves, and sat down to admire their likenesses; but though painted like Jezebel at the window (2 Kings ix. 30), or their own righteousness like the houses of the great painted with vermilion, or the hypocrites in the times of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and in our Lord’s day—Jeremiah xxii. 14—Ezekiel xxiii. 40—Matthew vi. 16. Yet the Lord has threatened that his hand should be upon all such pleasant pictures—Isaiah ii. 16—and that he would despise their image because it is not the image of Christ, which consists in righteousness, knowledge and true holiness. The real likeness of God’s sincere ones is drawn by the same unerring hand.