N09311:169
The nature of saving conversion, and the way
The nature of saving conversion, and the way wherein it is wrought. By the Rev'd. learned, and eminently pious, Mr. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton, New-England, first published A.D. 1719.
N09311:169
The nature of saving conversion, and the way wherein it is wrought. By the Rev'd. learned, and eminently pious, Mr. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton, New-England, first published A.D. 1719.
Boston: : Printed for and sold by Edmund Sawyer, at his house in Newbury., 1770
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
II A course of sin is an evidence of hypocrisy, If a man makes a profession of religion, and lives in a way of sin against the light of his conscience, he is an hypocrite. He that makes a profession, and contradicts it in his conversation, is an hypocrite. Tit. 1.16. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him. He that pretends to godliness, and turns aside to crooked ways, is an hypocrite; for those that are really godly do live in a way of obedience. Psal. 119.1, 2, 3. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, that walk in the way of the Lord, they also do no iniquity. Luk. 1.6. They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But such as live in ways of sin are dissemblers; for all such will be rejected in the day of Judgment: Mat. 7.23. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity. The like we have, Luk. 13.27. If Men live in a way of Disobedience they do not love God; for love will make men keep God's commands. 1 Joh. 5.3 Herein is love, that we keep his commands, and his commands are not grievous. If men live in a way of Disobedience they have not a spirit of Faith; for faith sanctifies men: Acts 16.68. Sanctified by faith that is in me. If men live in a way of disobedience they are not Christ's sheep; for his sheep hear his voice, Joh. 10.27. Men that live in a way of disobedience are not born of God; 1 Joh. 3.9. He that is born of God sinneth not. Men that live in a way of ⟨p. 113⟩disobedience are the servants of sin; Joh. 8.34. He that committeth sin is the servant of sin.
II A course of sin is an evidence of hypocrisy, If a man makes a profession of religion, and lives in a way of sin against the light of his conscience, he is an hypocrite. He that makes a profession, and contradicts it in his conversation, is an hypocrite. Tit. 1.16. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him. He that pretends to godliness, and turns aside to crooked ways, is an hypocrite; for those that are really godly do live in a way of obedience. Psal. 119.1, 2, 3. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, that walk in the way of the Lord, they also do no iniquity. Luk. 1.6. They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But such as live in ways of sin are dissemblers; for all such will be rejected in the day of Judgment: Mat. 7.23. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity. The like we have, Luk. 13.27. If Men live in a way of Disobedience they do not love God; for love will make men keep God's commands. 1 Joh. 5.3 Herein is love, that we keep his commands, and his commands are not grievous. If men live in a way of Disobedience they have not a spirit of Faith; for faith sanctifies men: Acts 16.68. Sanctifyed by faith that is in me. If men live in a way of disobedience they are not Christ's sheep; for his sheep hear his voice, Joh. 10.27. Men that live in a way of disobedience are not born of God; 1 Joh. 3.9. He that is born of God sinneth not. Men that live in a way of ⟨p. 113⟩disobedience are the servants of sin; Joh. 8.34. He that committeth sin is the servant of sin.
1. A course of external sin is an evidence of Hypocrisy, whether it be a sin of omission or commission. If men live in the neglect of known duties, or in the practice of known evils, that will be their condemnation. Let the sin be what it will; let it be Profaneness, Drunkenness, Uncleanness, Lying, or Injustice. Thus it was with the Sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, they are called sons of Belial, that knew not the Lord, 1 Sam. 2.12. The foundation of their censure was their profaneness and uncleanness, v. 13.14, 22. So it was with Jehu, notwithstanding his zeal in destroying Baal, because he practiced and tolerated the worship of the Calves at Dan and Bethel, 2 King 10 3•. Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel, with all his heart and with all his soul; for he turned aside after the sin of Jeroboam. So many of the Pharisees were wicked, because they devoured widows houses, Mat. 23.14. Thus Judas appeared to be an hypocrite, because he lived in theft, Joh. 12.6. He was a thief That showed the rottenness of the heart of Demas, that he was an apostate, 2 Tim. 4.10. Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present evil world. To live impenitently in any outward known sin, will cast against a man, and prove him an hypocrite.
1. A course of external sin is an evidence of Hypocrisy, whether it be a sin of omission or commission. If men live in the neglect of known duties, or in the practice of known evils, that will be their condemnation. Let the sin be what it will; let it be Prophaness, Drunkenness, Uncleanness, Lying, or Injustice. Thus it was with the Sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, they are called sons of Belial, that knew not the Lord, 1 Sam. 2.12. The foundation of their censure was their profaness and uncleanness, v. 13.14, 22. So it was with Jehu, notwithstanding his zeal in destroying Baal, because he practiced and tolerated the worship of the Calves at Dan and Bethel, 2 King 10 3•. Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel, with all his heart and with all his soul; for he turned aside after the sin of Jeroboam. So many of the Pharisees were wicked, because they devoured widows houses,
2 A course of internal sin proves a man to be an hypocrite. Though he washes his hands, if he does not cleanse his heart, he is ungodly. The external conversation of some hypocrites ⟨p. 114⟩may excel the conversation of some saints; but if there be a way of internal sin, their pretences to godliness are vain. There be two sorts of internal sins, which men may live in a way of, and is a witness against them. One is, a way of corrupt thoughts and affections: If men allow themselves in malice, envy, wanton thoughts, profane thoughts, that will condemn them.
2 A course of internal sin proves a man to be an hypocrite. Though he washes his hands, if he does not cleanse his heart, he is ungodly. The external conversation of some hypocrites ⟨p. 114⟩may excell the conversation of some saints; but if there be a way of internal sin, their pretenses to godliness are vain. There be two sorts of internal sins, which men may live in a way of, and is a witness against them. One is, a way of corrupt thoughts and affections: If men allow themselves in malice, envy, wanton thoughts, prophane thoughts, that will condemn them.
Though those corruptions do not break out in any scandalous way, those thoughts are an evidence of a rotten heart Tit. 3.3. We our selves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and enemy, hateful and hating one another. If a man allows himself, though he thinks he doth not, in malice or envy, he is an hypocrite; though his conscience disallows it, yet if his heart allows it he is no saint; if be does not hate and mortify those corrupt affections, he is no saint. The other way of living in internal sin is, to live in the omission of spiritual duties: Whether a man knows it or knows it not, it is an evidence of hypocrisy. Many men that make a fair show, do not believe in Jesus Christ: They have a persuasion of the truth of the gospel, they hope Christ will save them, they have had some joy in heating the gospel, but they do not believe in Christ; either they are carnally confident, or discouraged: This doth condemn them. He that believeth not, the wrath of God abideth on him, Joh. 3.36. He that is contentious and ⟨p. 115⟩obeys not the gospel, will be condemned, Rom. 2.8. So, if a man live in the neglect of love to God; if there be no hearty love to God in his profession, in his obedience, he is not godly: Though there be affection, yet if there be not hearty love, that will condemn him: That was the condemnation of the Jews, Joh. 5.42. I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. If men be zealous men, have tenderness of conscience, delight in sabbaths, but are destitute of love to God, they are hypocrites. So, if there be not a spirit of love to saints, 1 Cor. 13.23. If I speak with the tongue of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal So,
The habits of Grace cannot be seen immediately: As no man can see his own Soul or any of the faculties of it immediately, so he cannot see the gracious principles that are there immediately. And there is no external act of obedience that is evidential, for an ungodly man may do an external act of obedience. He may give all his goods to the poor and his body to be burned, though he has no charity. 1 Cor. 13.3. But by particular acts of grace they may know their uprightness, and by them only. If a man were to try his ⟨p. 116⟩sincerity by his certain knowledge of his gracious carriages day by day, he would never attain assurance, but be under perpetual uncertainty; but by particular acts of Grace he may know it.
Consider,
1 Saints may certainly see particular acts of Grace. Though there be many acts of grace that a man doth not know to be such, yet some acts of grace are plain to be seen. We find Christ enquiring of one whether he did believe, Joh. 9.35. Dost thou believe on the Son of God? and of another whether he loved him, Joh. 21.16. Simon son of Jonah, lovest thou me? That shows that such things may be known, else to what purpose would it be to ask those questions. And reason shows that they may be seen, for they do greatly differ from all counterfeit acts, and sometimes grace acts very strongly and apparently. And we have an account in Scripture of saints that have spoken very confidently about the workings of a spirit of grace; so Job, Job 42.5, 6. Now mine eye seeth thee, wherefore I abhor myself in dust and ashes. He saw the mighty workings of a spirit of repentance, and was at no loss about it. So David, Psal. 116.1. I love the Lord. He speaks of it as of a thing he was assured of. The like workings of heart he found towards the law, Psal, 119.97. O how love I thy law. So, Peter appears ⟨p. 117⟩to Christ, who knew his heart, Joh. 21.17. Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. And others have had the like experience.
1 Saints may certainly see particular acts of Grace. Though there be many acts of grace that a man doth not know to be such, yet some acts of grace are plain to be seen. We find Christ enquiring of one whether he did believe, Joh. 9.35. Dost thou believe on the Son of God? and of another whether he loved him, Joh. 21.16. Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me? That shews that such things may be known, else to what purpose would it be to ask those questions. And reason shews that they may be seen, for they do greatly differ from all counterfeit acts, and sometimes grace acts very strongly and apparently. And we have an account in Scripture of saints that have spoken very confidently about the workings of a spirit of grace; so Job,
2 Ordinarily, they do certainly see but few particular acts of grace. There is a very great difference in godly men upon this account. I take it for granted, that there are not two men in ten thousand, that have just the same experience. More generally, godly men do hope and think, that they exercise grace many times every day, in their prayers, and in their callings, and in their conversation with men; but it is but now and then that they can certainly speak up to it. There he great mixtures of corruption with grace, there be many false appearances of grace, which makes them afraid whether they did indeed exercise grace; and this makes it evident, that it is thus with Saints, that many of them are for a long time under doubt whether they be indeed godly; thence we have these precepts, 2 Pet. 1.10. Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure. 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine yourselves, whether you be in the Faith. Some hypocrites are a great deal more confident than many saints. Many godly men are at a loss whether their faith be any other than what unconverted men may have. And so about their other graces; there be some saints that have assurance, but the foundation of it is, that now and then they see the plain actings of faith and love, and repentance. ⟨p. 118⟩They see something of encouragement from their daily walk. But that which begets assurance is, that sometimes they plainly see Grace.
3. By these visible actings of grace, they may conclude there is a course of gracious carriages. Godly men are described to be men that walk in a course of holiness. Psal. 119.1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, that walk in the law of the Lord. And we find that godly men have been well satisfied that they have walked in a way of holiness. Isai. 39.3. Remember, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. If it be enquired, how they do know that their obedience is not the fruit of natural conscience and common grace, as it is with many others; The Answer is, that they see now and then the plain exercises of grace, and from thence conclude, that they are under the influence of a gracious spirit in their walk; that though they be guilty of much formality and hypocrisy, yet there is a spirit of holiness working in them, and an hearty care to keep the commandments of God. If a man sees now and then a spirit of love to God, he may safely conclude that his religion is not the fruit of ostentation, or slavish fear, but that a gracious spirit doth stir him up to perform his duty, and that his walk his holy.
USE I. Is of awaking to those that live in a course of sin. Some make pretences to godliness, whereby they do not only deceive ⟨p. 119⟩others, but which is a great deal worse, they deceive themselves also. But this will condemn them, that they live in a course of sin; and such must go with ungodly men: Psal. 125, 5. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. If there be a great change in a man's Carriage, and he be reformed in several particulars, yet if there be one evil way, the man is an ungodly man. If he doth choice service for the church of God, yet he is an ungodly man. If there are twenty hopeful things that may be alleged for him, yet he will not pass for a godly man. Where their is piety, there is universal obedience. A man may have great infirmities, yet be a godly man; so it was with Lot and David and Peter; but if he lives in a way of sin, he does not render his godliness only suspicious, but it is full evidence against him. Men that are godly, have a respect to all God's commandments, Psal. 119.1. There be a great many commands, and if there be one of them that a man has not a respect unto, he will be put to shame another day. If a man lives in one evil way, he is not subject to God's authority; but then he lives in rebellion, and that will take off all his pleas, and at once cut off all his pretences, and he will be condemned in the day of Judgment; Luk. 13 27. Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity. One way of sin is exception enough against the man's salvation.
USE I. Is of awaking to those that live in a course of sin. Some make pretences to godliness, whereby they do not only deceive ⟨p. 119⟩others, but which is a great deal worse, they deceive themselves also. But this will condemn them, that they live in a course of sin; and such must go with ungodly men: Psal. 125, 5. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. If there be a great change in a man's Carriage, and he be reformed in several particulars, yet if there be one evil way, the man is an ungodly man. If he doth choice service for the church of God, yet he is an ungodly man. If there are twenty hopeful things that may be alledged for him, yet he will not pass for a godly man. Where their is piety, there is universal obedience. A man may have great infirmities, yet be a godly man; so it was with Lot and David and Peter; but if he lives in a way of sin, he does not render his godliness only suspicious, but it is full evidence against him. Men that are godly, have a respect to all God's commandments,
1 Though the sin that he lives in be small ⟨p. 120⟩such persons will not be guilty of perjury, stealing, drunkenness, fornication; they look upon them to be heinous things, and they are afraid of them, but they do not much matter it if they oppress a little in a bargain, if they commend a thing too much which they are about to sell, if they break a promise, if they spend the sabbath unprofitably, if they neglect secret prayer, if they talk rudely, and reproach others; they think these things are but small things: If they can keep clear of great transgression, they hope that God will not insist upon small things; but indeed all the commands of God are established by divine authority, and that man that doth not lay weight upon little commands, keeps none as he ought to do. A small shot may kill a man as well as a cannon bullet. A small leak may sink a ship. If a man lives in small sins, that shows that he has no love to God, no sincere care to please and honour God. Little sins are of a damning nature as well as great; if they do not deserve so much punishment as greater, yet they do deserve damnation. There is contempt of God in small sins, Mat. 5.19. He that shall break one of the lest of these commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of God. There is rebellion in little sins; Prov. 19.16. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul, but he that despiseth his ways shall die. If a man says, this is a great command, and so lays wait on it, and another is a little commandment, and so do not regard it, ⟨p. 121⟩but will not allow himself to break it, he is in a perishing condition.
1 Though the sin that he lives in be small ⟨p. 120⟩such persons will not be guilty of perjury, stealing, drunkeness, fornication; they look upon them to be heinous things, and they are afraid of them, but they do not much matter it if they oppress a little in a bargain, if they commend a thing too much which they are about to sell, if they break a promise, if they spend the sabbath unprofitably, if they neglect secret prayer, if they talk rudely, and reproach others; they think these things are but small things: If they can keep clear of great transgression, they hope that God will not insist upon small things; but indeed all the commands of God are established by divine authority, and that man that doth not lay weight upon little commands, keeps none as he ought to do. A small shot may kill a man as well as a cannon bullet. A small leak may sink a ship. If a man lives in small sins, that shews that he has no love to God, no sincere care to please and honour God. Little sins are of a damning nature as well as great; if they do not deserve so much punishment as greater, yet they do deserve damnation. There is contempt of God in small sins,
2 Though their temptations be great. Some Persons delight in iniquity, they take pleasure in rudeness, and intemperate practices: But there be others that do not delight in sin; they can handsomely avoid it, they do not choose it: Except they be under some great necessity they will not do it: They are afraid to sin, they think it is dangerous, and have some care to avoid it. But sometimes they force themselves to sin: They are reduced to difficulties, and cannot tell how well to avoid it. It is a dangerous thing not to do it. If Naaman do not bow himself in the house of Rimmon, the king will be in a rage with him, take away his office, it may be take away his life, and so he complies; 2 Kings 5.18. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow my self in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this. So Jeroboam forced himself to set up the Calves at Dan and Bethel. He thought if the people went up to Jerusalem to worship, they would return to Rehoboam, and kill him; therefore he must think of some expedient to deliver himself in this strait: 1 King 12.27.28. Whereupon the king took council, and made too calves of gold; and said to them, it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem, behold thy gods O Israel, which brought thee up out of the ⟨p. 122⟩land of Egypt. He was driven by appearing necessity to take this wicked course. So the stony ground hearers were willing to retain the profession of the true religion, but the case was such that they thought they could not well do it; Mat 13.21. When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. They would have chose to have lived and died in the profession of the truth, but they cannot brook confiscation, and prisons, and death; and so they must be excused if they drop their profession. So Achan and Gehozi had singular opportunities to get an estate; if they live twenty years, they are not like to have such an advantage, and they force themselves to borrow a point, and break the law of God. They lay a necessity on estate, and liberty, and life, but not upon obedience. If a man be willing to serve God in ordinary cases, but excuse himself when there be great difficulties, he is not godly.
2 Though their temptations be great. Some Persons delight in iniquity, they take pleasure in rudeness, and intemperate practices: But there be others that do not delight in sin; they can handsomely avoid it, they do not chuse it: Except they be under some great necessity they will not do it: They are afraid to sin, they think it is dangerous, and have some care to avoid it. But sometimes they force themselves to sin: They are reduced to difficulties, and cannot tell how well to avoid it. It is a dangerous thing not to do it. If Naaman do not bow himself in the house of Rimmon, the king will be in a rage with him, take away his office, it may be take away his life, and so he complies;
It is a small matter to serve God, when men have no temptation; but Lot was holy in Sodom, Noah was righteous in the old world. Temptations try men, but they do not force men to sin; and grace will establish the heart in a day of temptation. They are blessed that do endure temptation, Jam. 1.12. But they are cursed that fall away in a day of temptation.
3 Though they be afterwards sorry for it. Some men fall into great transgression, but when they consider of it they are sorry for it. They do not justify themselves, neither do they ⟨p. 123⟩excuse themselves, and say others do so as well as they, and if men be left of God who can help it; but they confess it, and bewail it before God, it is an affliction to them that they were carried away with temptation, they see they have acted foolishly, that they have despised the commandments of God, and they hope they shall never do so again, be drunk, again, or lie again. Sometimes men take occasion to talk with them, and they are ready to own their fault, they are ashamed, and they shed tears; but after a while the temptation returns, and they are as bad again: They are like the dead fish, that are carried down the stream; but they are sorry again; and so they keep on, sinning and repenting. Just thus it was with Saul: Jonathan talks to him and he hearkens, 1 Sam. 19 6. Saul hearkened to Jonathan, and Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain. After a while he is persecuting David again; but upon David's saving his life, he weeps and makes confession, 1 Sam. 24.16. Saul lift up his voice and wept. But upon the Invitation of the Ziphites he pursues David again, and David spares his life a second time; and upon that Saul confesses and promises, I Sam. 26 21. Then said Saul, I have sinned, return my son David, for I will no more do thee harm, I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly. There is no trusting such men; if they live in ways of sin, they are ungodly. Godly sorrow will make men live holily; 2 Cor. 7.10. Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of.
3 Though they be afterwards sorry for it. Some men fall into great transgression, but when they consider of it they are sorry for it. They do not justify themselves, neither do they ⟨p. 123⟩excuse themselves, and say others do so as well as they, and if men be left of God who can help it; but they confess it, and bewail it before God, it is an affliction to them that they were carried away with temptation, they see they have acted foolishly, that they have despised the commandments of God, and they hope they shall never do so again, be drunk, again, or lie again. Sometimes men take occasion to talk with them, and they are ready to own their fault, they are ashamed, and they shed tears; but after a while the temptation returns, and they are as bad again: They are like the dead fish, that are carried down the stream; but they are sorry again; and so they keep on, sinning and repenting. Just thus it was with Saul: Jonathan talks to him and he hearkens,
USE II. Of encouragement to those that have seen gracious actings in their own hearts. I suppose that there be several of you that have seen the actings of grace in your own hearts. You have seen the workings of faith, as Paul 2 Tim. 1.12. I know him whom I have believed. of love, as Peter. Joh, 21.17 Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee; of repentance, as Job. Job 42.6. I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes. You may conclude from hence that you are godly. You may have scruples upon many account: You may be under difficulties because God hides his face at present from you: You may have temptation from singular afflictions, and because God denies to answer some prayers, in things that lie much upon your hearts: You may have difficulties from such workings of corruption as seems to be inconsistent with Grace: You may have temptation because you do not seem to grow; but if you have certainly seen the working of a gracious spirit, if an hundred times, if ten times, if one time, you may conclude that you are godly. That which was not in being could not be seen that which is not, is invisible. If there were no sun, or moon, or stars, none could be seen: So, if there were no faith, or love, they could not be seen. There may be grace where it is not seen, but where it is seen, there it is; and you may conclude that you are godly. For,
USE II. Of encouragement to those that have seen gracious actings in their own hearts. I suppose that there be several of you that have seen the actings of grace in your own hearts. You have seen the workings of faith, as Paul 2 Tim. 1.12. I know him whom I have believed. of love, as Peter. Joh, 21.17 Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee; of repentance, as Job. Job 42.6. I abhor myself and repentin dust and ashes. You may conclude from hence that you are godly. You may have scruples upon many account: You may be under difficulties because God hides his face at present from you: You may have temptation from singular afflictions, and because God denies to answer some prayers, in things that lie much upon your hearts: You may have difficulties from such workings of corruption as seems to be inconsistent with Grace: You may have temptation because you do not seem to grow; but if you have certainly seen the working of a gracious spirit, if an hundred times, if ten times, if one time, you may conclude that you are godly. That which was not in being could not be seen that which is not, is invisible. If there were no sun, or moon, or stars, none could be seen: So, if there were no faith, or love, they could not be seen. There may be grace where it is not seen, but where it is seen, there it is; and you may conclude that you are godly. For,
Though those corruptions do not break out in any scandalous way, those thoughts are an evidence of a rotten heart Tit. 3.3. We our selves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and enemy, hateful and hating one another. If a man allows himself, though he thinks he doth not, in malice or envy, he is an hypocrite; though his conscience disallows it, yet if his heart allows it he is no saint; if be does not hate and mortify those corrupt affections, he is no saint. The other way of living in internal sin is, to live in the omission of spiritual duties: Whether a man knows it or knows it not, it is an evidence of hypocrisy. Many men that make a fair shew, do not believe in Jesus Christ: They have a perswasion of the truth of the gospel, they hope Christ will save them, they have had some joy in heating the gospel, but they do not believe in Christ; either they are carnally confident, or discouraged: This doth condemn them. He that believeth not, the wrath of God abideth on him, Joh. 3.36. He that is contentious and ⟨p. 115⟩obeys not the gospel, will be condemned, Rom. 2.8. So, if a man live in the neglect of love to God; if there be no hearty love to God in his profession, in his obedience, he is not godly: Though there be affection, yet if there be not hearty love, that will condemn him: That was the condemnation of the Jews, Joh. 5.42. I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. If men be zealous men, have tenderness of conscience, delight in sabbaths, but are destitute of love to God, they are hypocrites. So, if there be not a spirit of love to saints, 1 Cor. 13.23. If I speak with the tongue of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal So, 1 Joh. 4.8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God.