Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
A kind of seeming seriousness in the performance of duties, and in seeking of God, deceiveth many. They think because they are not conscious to their own dissembling, but they look upon themselves as earnest in what they do, that therefore all is well. Sayeth not Christ, that not every one that sayeth Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God. Mat. 7: 21? that is, not every one that reneweth their suits, & ingeminateth their desires, cry and cry over again, and as it were, will not give it over.
And yet they come short of their expectation: did not the foolish virgins seem earnest and serious, when they continued waiting with the rest, and at length, cried Lord, Lord open unto us; and yet they were kept at the door. Many consider not that there is a secret and close hypocrisy, that some may be under and not know it, as well as a gross hypocrisy, and dissimulation, which may be easily observed: Will not many seek to enter in, that shall not be able? Mat. 7: 13. Luk. 13. 24.
For the reference, see John Brown of Wamphray on close hypocrites.
And yet they come short of their expectation: did not the foolish virgins seem earnest and serious, when they continued waiting with the rest, and at length, cried Lord, Lord open unto us; and yet they were kept at the door. Many consider not that there is a secret and close hypocrisy, that some may be under and not know it, as well as a gross hypocrisy, and dissimulation, which may be easily observed: Will not many seek to enter in, that shall not be able? Mat. 7: 13. Luk. 13. 24.
For the reference, see John Brown of Wamphray on close hypocrites.