fubtilty, of wiles and ftratagems. This view, which the Scripture gives of the fpirits of darkness, should strongly poffefs our fouls with the deformity and vileness of an infincere temper and behaviour.

The fubject we have been upon, may very fitly be applied various ways.

1. As a fubject of forrow for the evident violations of fincerity among those who wear the name of Chriftians. Indeed we cannot without arrogance pretend to fix the charge of hypocrify upon any man, as long as he maintains a fair and regular appearance: Every man,efpecially every Christian, should be very careful, that he affume not the province of God, the fearcher of hearts, by arraigning or fufpecting other mens fincerity, when they seem religious in the judgment of charity. But without entering into the fecret things, which belong to God, too many flagrant inftances of infincerity may be obferved and lamented every day. How often is a pretence of religion » evidently made to ferve the deflign of defrauding men? What tricking arts are practised under the mafque of friendthip? Such things as thefe, which often come to open light, may juftly be the grief of serious Chriftians, who know the value of fincerity in itself, and how contrary every breach of it is to the obligations of christianity.

2. As a measure of judging ourselves, whether we are in a state of acceptance with God. Here we may and ought to enter into the clofeft fcrutiny of fincerity. We are privy to what paffes within ourselves, though we can、 Dd &

not

not reach the fecrets of others hearts. Confcience is the candle of the Lord within us, to enable us to difcern the real ftate of our own cafe. Let us therefore bring ourselves within the light and judgment of our own confciences, upon this most important inquiry, whether we are fincere or not? Whether the pleaf ing of God is our ordinary and prevailing defign and aim? Whether univerfal obedience to all the known will of God is our stated aim, and refolution, and endeavour? Whether there be an agreement between our hearts, and our words and actions? Another man cannot decide thefe queftions for us, upon which our acceptance with God depends. But God knows how the matter ftands, and we may dif cern it; and it is of the utmost importance that we pass a right judgment ourselves.

3. As a ground of humiliation to the best for the defects of their fincerity, as well as in every particular branch of goodnefs. Sincerity, as prefcribed by the rule, is to be confidered as perfect; as well as the particular graces and virtues, of which it is a qualification: that is, every failure in any of the articles wherein fincerity confifts, is as contrary to fincerity, and as truly a breach of our duty, as every degree of doubting is contrary to faith, or any violation of truth to veracity. And though the grace of the Gofpel admits of prevailing fincerity as the term of life, as well as of the prevalence of other graces and virtues; yet a Chriftian has reafon to humble himself before God for the defects of his fincerity, as well as of every other fruit of the Spirit.

Spirit. Though we can entertain hope that we have been prevailingly fincere, yet who fhall dare to fay upon recollection, that he hath been perfectly fincere? That his intention and defign to please God has been fo entire, that he hath never deviated from it? That he has enquired into the mind of God with as much diligence and impartiality, as he might and ought to have done? That his obedience has been unreferved and univerfal as it might have been? That he hath never been guilty of the least diffimulation or falfe difguife? Now, though we may have good reafon to hope for divine acceptance according to the grace of the Gofpel, upon the conscioufnefs of fincerity in a prevailing degree; yet we fhould confefs and bewail every known defect in it, in our temper or conduct, either to God

or man.

4. As an engagement to cultivate and advance in this excellent qualification.

How greatly would this bleffed end be promoted, if we would think at every turn, of the eye of the great God upon us; that we are wholly naked and open to him with whom we have to do? If we would frequently place ourfelves by faith and ferious meditation at the judgment-feat of Chrift, when the fecrets of all hearts fhall be revealed? If we confider how high fincerity ftands in divine estimation, how valuable it is to all men as far as they can difcern it, and what fatisfaction it will produce in our breafts.

Let us then ftudioufly mind and pra&ife it as the principal thing in all the feeming good

we

we do; either in the acts of piety to God, or of juftice and charity to men.

Particularly whenever we keep the Gofpel-feaft of the holy fupper, let not this qual ification be wanting. It is the great thing. requifite in every communicant; the wed ding-garment, without which we cannot be welcome guests. And it fhould attend every part of our work at that folemnity. We fhould be fincere in the reasons and ends of obferving it, that it be done in pure obedi-ence to our master's will, and in hope of that fpiritual benefit for which it was appointed. In the exercife of those difpofitions which fhould attend the remembrance of a dying. Saviour; fuch a thankfulness for the love of God in the work of our redemption; forrow for fin, which fhould be excited by this evidence of its evil nature; and faith in the promises of God which are ratified in Chrift's " blood. In our defire of the bleffings offered us in virtue of his blood. In our refolutions of new obedience. And in our charity and affection to our fellow-Chriftians.

We have there the highest instance of undiffembled love fet in view, faithful promises fealed on God's part. We are immediately transacting with him who can judge of fincerity; and without it, inftead of receiving advantage by that holy inftitution, shall eat and drink judgment to ourselves.

SER

SERMON

XVI.

Conftancy and Perfeverance.

1 COR. XV. 58. former part.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye fedfaft, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

NEX

EXT to fincerity, and indeed as very clofely connected with it, fixednefs or Readiness may properly be confidered as a general qualification, which ought to run through every branch of the chriftian temper.

The apoftle in this chapter explains and proves at large the doctrine of the refurrection: A molt comfortable and encouraging. doctrine to every fincere Chriftian, under the prefent difficulties which attend his pilgrimage; and in profpect of death approaching, whether in the ufual courfe of nature, or to be undergone for the teftimony of Jefus. Upon this refreshing revelation, the apostle grafts the exhortation in the text. From the promifed rewards he excites Chriftians to attend to their prefent work. Seeing they have reason to look for a glorious and happy resurrection from the Lord Jefus, they fhould mind the work of the Lord now: By which we are to understand the whole work and duty, which our mafter prefcribes us by the way.

There