1. Sincerity always escapes best in common Judgments, and this temper of mourning for public sins, is the greatest note of it. This is the greatest note of sincerity. We read of an Ahab, who put on Sackcloth for his own sin, and humbled himself before the Lord; of a Judas sorrowing that he betrayed his Master: Self-interest might broach their tears, and force out ⟨p. 70⟩their sorrow; but never an Ahab, or Judas, or any other ungodly person in Scripture, lamented the sins of others. Nay, they were all eminent for holiness, that were noted for this frame, whom we have mentioned before. Moses, a non-such for speaking with God face to face. David, who only had that honourable title of a man after God's own heart. Isay, who had the fullest prospect of Evangelical glory, of all the Prophets. Ezra, a restorer of his Country. Daniel, a man greatly beloved: Christ, the Redeemer of the world; and Paul, the only Apostle rapt up in the third Heaven, he was also humbled for the sins of the Corinthians, 2 Corinth. 12.21. Ezra hath a mighty Character, Ezra 7.10. He prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord; and to do it, and to teach in Israel Statutes and Judgments. And he both mourned for, and prayed against the common sin. Lot is not recorded for this without a glorious Epithet: The Spirit of God over-looks those sins of his mentioned in Scripture, and speaks not of him by his single name, but Just Lot, his righteous Soul, 2 Pet. 2.7, 8. A sincere Righteousness glittered in his vexation for the wronged Interest of God. What a mark of honour doth the Holy-Ghost set upon this temper! 'Tis not drunken Lot, or incestuous Lot, with which sins he is taxed in Scripture. This publicly religious spirit covered those temporary spots in his Scutcheon. When all other signs of Righteousness may have their exceptions, this temper is the utmost term, which we cannot go beyond in our self-examination. The utmost prospect David had of his sincerity, when he was upon a diligent enquiry after it, was his anger and grief for the sin of others; when he had reached so far, he was at a stand, and knew not what more to add, Psal. 139.21, 22, 23, 24. Am I not grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me.
1. Sincerity always escapes best in common Judgments, and this temper of mourning for publick sins, is the greatest note of it. This is the greatest note of sincerity. We read of an Ahab, who put on Sackcloth for his own sin, and humbled himself before the Lord; of a Judas sorrowing that he betrayed his Master: Self-interest might broach their tears, and force out ⟨p. 70⟩their sorrow; but never an Ahab, or Judas, or any other ungodly person in Scripture, lamented the sins of others. Nay, they were all eminent for holiness, that were noted for this frame, whom we have mentioned before. Moses, a non-such for speaking with God face to face. David, who only had that honourable title of a man after God's own heart. Isay, who had the fullest prospect of Evangelical glory, of all the Prophets. Ezra, a restorer of his Country. Daniel, a man greatly beloved: Christ, the Redeemer of the world; and Paul, the only Apostle rap't up in the third Heaven, he was also humbled for the sins of the Corinthians, 2 Corinth. 12.21. Ezra hath a mighty Character, Ezra 7.10. He prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord; and to do it, and to teach in Israel Statutes and Judgments. And he both mourned for, and prayed against the common sin. Lot is not recorded for this without a glorious Epithete: The Spirit of God over-looks those sins of his mentioned in Scripture, and speaks not of him by his single name, but Just Lot, his righteous Soul, 2 Pet. 2.7, 8. A sincere Righteousness glittered in his vexation for the wronged Interest of God. What a mark of honour doth the Holy-Ghost set upon this temper! 'Tis not drunken Lot, or incestuous Lot, with which sins he is taxed in Scripture. This publickly religious spirit covered those temporary spots in his Scutcheon. When all other signs of Righteousness may have their exceptions, this temper is the utmost term, which we cannot go beyond in our self-examination. The utmost prospect David had of his sincerity, when he was upon a diligent enquiry after it, was his anger and grief for the sin of others; when he had reached so far, he was at a stand, and knew not what more to add, Psal. 139.21, 22, 23, 24. Am I not grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me.
