An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

Hypocrites are of two sorts, some in a large, others in a strict sense. Most wicked men are hypocrites in a large sense, though some are above hypocrisy, they are arrived at impudence. The Prophet speaks of such (Isa. 3.9.) The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. They declare it not as the mourners in Zion declare their sin, who are ashamed of it; but they declare it as Sodom her sin, that they may delight in it. But though there are some such as these, yet the greatest number of wicked men fall under the notion of hypocrisy in a large sense, because they keep their sins close and hide them. Hence the works of sin are called works of darkness. Wicked men usually hide their wickedness, and show that which hath but a show, their goodness. But in a strict sense, he is an hypocrite that seems to be very religious, who hath nothing but God, and Christ, and heaven in his mouth; but in his heart and secret practices nothing but earth and hell. The hypocrite is like the Onyx-stone, of which Naturalists write, that it is clear and bright in the superficies, but the centre is dark and earthy. This generation is pure, not only in their own eyes (Prov. 30.12.) but in the eyes of many men, possibly in the eyes of all men, yet are they not cleansed from their wickedness.

Hypocrites are of two sorts, some in a large, others in a strict sense. Most wicked men are hypocrites in a large sense, though some are above hypocrisie, they are arrived at impudence. The Prophet speaks of such (Isa. 3.9.) The shew of their countenance doth witnesse against them, and they declare their sin as Sodome, they hide it not. They declare it not as the mourners in Zion declare their sinne, who are ashamed of it; but they declare it as Sodome her sin, that they may delight in it. But though there are some such as these, yet the greatest number of wicked men fall under the notion of hypocrisie in a large sense, because they keep their sins close and hide them. Hence the works of sinne are called works of darknesse. Wicked men usually hide their wickednesse, and shew that which hath but a shew, their goodnesse. But in a strict sense, he is an hypocrite that seems to be very religious, who hath nothing but God, and Christ, and heaven in his mouth; but in his heart and secret practices nothing but earth and hell. The hypocrite is like the Onyx-stone, of which Naturalists write, that it is clear and bright in the superficies, but the center is dark and earthy. This generation is pure, not only in their own eyes (