Thirdly, This holy Fear of God is a §3most sovereign Preservative against Hypocrisy. 1What is Hypocrisy, but only a mocking of God to his Face? It is a design to put a solemn Cheat upon God. Certainly where the Fear of God over-awes the Heart, we shall not dare to abuse his holy and reverend Name as Hypocrites do, in their making mention of him. When we speak of him with our Lips, but never think of him with our Hearts, this is to abuse the holy and reverend Name of God; and it is a sure Argument that they stand in no dread of God, whose Hearts meditate Vanity with Eyes and Hands lifted up to Heaven. Will any dare in the presence of a Prince, while they pretend Reverence to him, to use antic Gestures? Would not this justly be interpreted a Contempt of him? Why all the religious Gestures of Hypocrites are but Antic; and while they move their Lips in Prayer, without the corresponding motion of the Heart, they do but make Mouths at God; and how can they fear him, that are thus audacious to scoff at him? Yea, the Scripture sets it down as a remarkable ⟨p. 312⟩Matter, when Hypocrites begin to fear God;2 Isa. 33.12, 14. Hear ye and acknowledge my Might, says God: Why what's the matter? The Sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprised the Hypocrites. It is much easier to terrify and daunt profligate Sinners than gross Hypocrites; because Hypocrites, by often dallying with God, wear off all Sense and Dread of God, and arrive at length to a plain contempt and scorn of him. If therefore you would in every Duty approve your Hearts in Sincerity unto God, nourish in you this holy Fear of his Majesty. This Fear is that which makes a Christian single-hearted; and, as the Apostle commands Servants, 3Col. 3.22. to obey their Masters not as Men-pleasers, but in singleness of Heart, fearing God. So where this holy Fear of God possesseth the Soul, it will cause all our Obedience to be performed in the singleness and integrity of our Hearts, not so much to be seen of Men as to be accepted of God. It is a remarkable place, that in Josh. 24.14. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in Sincerity. The Fear of God is of a mighty influence to Sincerity in all our Services and Performances that we ⟨p. 313⟩render unto God; it is that that will make the Heart sincere in them. Fear the Lord, and serve him in Sincerity.
Thirdly, This holy Fear of God is a §3most sovereign Preservative against Hypocrisie. 1What is Hypocrisie, but only a mocking of God to his Face? It is a design to put a solemn Cheat upon God. Certainly where the Fear of God over-awes the Heart, we shall not dare to abuse his holy and reverend Name as Hypocrites do, in their making mention of him. When we speak of him with our Lips, but never think of him with our Hearts, this is to abuse the holy and reverend Name of God; and it is a sure Argument that they stand in no dread of God, whose Hearts meditate Vanity with Eyes and Hands lifted up to Heaven. Will any dare in the presence of a Prince, while they pretend Reverence to him, to use antick Gestures? Would not this justly be interpreted a Contempt of him? Why all the religious Gestures of Hypocrites are but Antick; and while they move their Lips in Prayer, without the corresponding motion of the Heart, they do but make Mouths at God; and how can they fear him, that are thus audacious to scoff at him? Yea, the Scripture sets it down as a remarkable ⟨p. 312⟩Matter, when Hypocrites begin to fear God;2 Isa. 33.12, 14. Hear ye and acknowledge my Might, says God: Why what's the matter? The Sinners in Sion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprized the Hypocrites. It is much easier to terrifie and daunt profligate Sinners than gross Hypocrites; because Hypocrites, by often dallying with God, wear off all Sense and Dread of God, and arrive at length to a plain contempt and scorn of him. If therefore you would in every Duty approve your Hearts in Sincerity unto God, nourish in you this holy Fear of his Majesty. This Fear is that which makes a Christian single-hearted; and, as the Apostle commands Servants, 3Col. 3.22. to obey their Masters not as Men-pleasers, but in singleness of Heart, fearing God. So where this holy Fear of God possesseth the Soul, it will cause all our Obedience to be performed in the singleness and integrity of our Hearts, not so much to be seen of Men as to be accepted of God. It is a remarkable place, that in Josh. 24.14. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in Sincerity. The Fear of God is of a mighty influence to Sincerity in all our Services and Performances that we
- 1The Fear of God is a most sovereign Preservative against Hypocrisy.The Fear of God is a most sovereign Preservative against Hypocrisie.
- 2Isa. 33.12.14.
- 3Col. 3.22.
