The Godly Man's Picture

5 If you would persevere in godliness, labour after integrity; this will be a golden pillar to support you; a tree that is hollow, must needs be blown down; the hypocrite sets up in the trade of religion, but he will soon break, Psa. 78. 37. Their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast: Judas was first a sly hypocrite, and then a Traitor; if a piece of copper be gilded, the gilding will wash off, nothing will hold out but sincerity, Psa. 25. 21. Let integrity preserve me: How many storms was Job in? not only Satan, but God himself set against him, Job 7. 20. which was enough to have made him desist from being godly, yet Job stood fast, because he stood upright, Job 27. 6. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go, my heart shall not reproach me, so long as I live: those colours hold best, which are laid in oil; if we would have our profession hold its colour, it must be laid in the oil of sincerity.

5 If you would persevere in godliness, labour after integrity; this will be a golden pillar to support you; a tree that is hollow, must needs be blown down; the hypocrite sets up in the trade of religion, but he will soon break, Psa. 78. 37. Their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast: Iudas was first a sly hypocrite, and then a Traitor; if a peece of copper be guilded, the guilding will wash off, nothing will hold out but sincerity, Psa. 25. 21. Let integrity preserve me: How many storms was Iob in? not only Satan, but God himself set against him, Iob 7. 20. which was enough to have made him desist from being godly, yet Iob stood fast, because he stood upright, Iob 27. 6. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go, my heart shall not reproach me, so long as I live: those colours hold best, which are laid in oyle; if we would have our profession hold its colour, it must be laid in the oyl of sincerity.