An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

Secondly, From the ground of this argument, which is, that true grace holds out and perseveres unto the end: For hereby (saith Eliphaz) I will convince thee for an hypocrite, and that thy grace is but a shadow of grace, because it is decayed and gone. This being the ground of conviction by these words, where is thy fear? Observe,

Secondly, From the ground of this argument, which is, that true grace holds out and perseveres unto the end: For hereby (saith Eliphaz) I will convince thee for an hypocrite, and that thy grace is but a shadow of grace, because it is decayed and gone. This being the ground of conviction by these words, where is thy feare? Observe,

That false grace, or a show of grace, fails us when we have most need of it. A hypocrite seems to stand in grace, till he falls into trouble. When good is in sight, he supposes he hath a great stock of faith; He is joyful in believing any thing, when nothing pinches him: And when he enjoyeth what he desired, he hopes as much as is promised: But when outward comforts are withdrawn and eclipsed, when he must live upon a word, and relieve himself upon invisibles, when he hath nothing in the creature to support him, and must trust what he cannot see: then this fancy of faith, this vain hope, and pretended confidence disappear, and where are they? how much charity will some make profession of until a real object of charity present it self? then excuses are made, they have but little for themselves, times are hard they may be suddenly cast into straits▪ they know not what a day may bring forth. False charity, and false hope vanish when they should act their parts, and make good what they have professed. As Christ speaks of the two houses, Matth. 7. One built upon the rock, the other upon the sand: these two houses were alike skilfully and strongly built in all appearance; while the Sun shone, and the weather was fair, none could discern, but that the house upon the sand, was built as well, and might have stood as long as the other upon the rock; but when the rain fell, and the floods came, when the winds blew and beat upon the house, then it fell, the foundation failed, and all the fair superstructions came down into the dust Where is the hypocrite with all his faith and fear in a wet windy day? is he not like a house founded on the sand? Or is not he and his goodly outside of holy fear and hope like the Apples of Sodom (reported in History) which are fair