Obj. But may not Hypocrites humble themselves, and labour to mortifie their lusts and corruptions?
I answer, no question, but in horrour of conscience, and fear of Gods judgments, an Hypocrite may humble himself in fasting, as Ahab, &c. but to kill sin, as sin, and to desire to be ready for Gods will, in denying, and subduing his own, is only the character and property of a child of God.
3dly. Godly loathing for sin.
3dly. It is an Argument of spirituall health, and strength, when we so look upon our sins, and our sinfull dispositions, that we not only loath our sins, but also loath our selves for them: So saith the Lord, (Ezek 6.) My people shall loath themselves for their abominations, and for their whoorish heart against me: Thus Job when he recovers himself from his murmurings against God, he cries out, Behold I abhor my self, and repent in dust, and ashes. And David (Psal: 73.) looks upon himself for his murmuring against Gods providence, as an ignorant person, as a fool and a beast in Gods presence.
Object. But may not an Hypocrite loath and abhor himself for sin?
Hypocrites may in a respect loath themselves for sin.
I answer, It is possible for an Hypocrite to be sorry for some sins, and to be angry with himselfe, and to loath himselfe, but not properly for his sins, which he loveth, but (as theeves, whores, drunkards, &c.) for the danger, damage and disgrace which his sin may bring upon him. It is onely the property of Gods children to look at sin as sin, with a loathing eye, and to behold themselves vile and loathsome, even for the most pleasing and profitable, and delightfull, and most secret sins.
Fourthly.
True selfe denyall.
Fourthly, It is an Argument of the strength of Spirituall life, when we lay downe our selves at the feet of God, when as a Servants will, our wils are subdued to the Lords will, when the Lord is become our selfe, when his ends are our ends, which give us content and pleasure, although our selves, our ends are lost and destroyed, that wee may finde new ends and delights in God.