it is abfolutely impoffible they can impofe on God, who fearches the heart, and tries the reins, who fees through all their disguises, and has exprefsly declared, that an hypocrite fhall not come before him. It is certainly, then, of the highest importance, even as we value the favour of God, and would be accepted of him, to attend to our Saviour's important admonition in the text: "Beware of the leaven of the "Pharifees, which is hypocrify."”

The Pharifees were a fect among the Jews who pretended to an extraordinary degree of fanctity. They were very exact in the external parts of religion, and, by their distinguished zeal, they were in high efteem and reputation with the people. But, notwithstanding their pretended strictness, they were nothing but proud and defigning hypocrites, who held no character in eftimation beyond the limits of their party; for they were fpiteful and malicious, full of felf-conceit, and unmercifully cenforious. In a word, it is hard to determine whether infupportable pride, or deep hypocrify, was the most pro minent failing in their character.

By their leaven, we are fometimes, in fcripture, to understand their doctrine, as in Matt. xvi. 6, 12. But here, you fee, our bleffed Lord explains it, as meant of their hypocrify; and this he very fitly compares to leaven: for, as leaven infinuates itself through the mafs, till the whole be leavened, fo hypocrify fpreads through the hearts and lives of men, and corrupts and fpoils the very beft of their duties; and, therefore, he gives us an exprefs caution against it, "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharifees, "which is hypocrify:" a caution highly neceffary to be given at all times, and, more efpecially, when we are called to keep the gofpel-feaft of the holy Supper with the unleavened bread of fincerity and truth.

In difcourfing, then, on this fubject, I shall endeavour, by Divine afliftance, First, To point out to

you

you a few diftinguishing characters of the hypocrite, as fo many marks by which he may be known. Secondly, Show you the evil and danger of hypocrify; and then conclude with fome practical application. And, may the Spirit of truth, who has the hearts of all men in his hand, bring the obfervations which I fhall make, home to your confciences, for the convic-tion of hypocrites, and the comfort of fincere be-lievers.

I. I am to point out to you a few characters of the hypocrite, as fo many marks by which he may be. known.

1. The hypocrite is actuated by a principle of vainglory. He frequents the church, and performs the other duties of religion; but it is not with the view of rendering to God that homage and worship to which he is entitled; no, it is to be feen of men. He partakes of the facrament of the Lord's Supper, not to get his corruptions mortified, and the princi-ples of grace ftrengthened within him, but that, thereby, he may cover his fins, and acquire a name to live among his fellow-profeffors. He gives alms to the poor; but it is not from love to God, and with a design to imitate the example of Chrift, but merely, that he may be thought a charitable person. This is what our bleffed Lord teaches us concerning the hypocrite: "Moreover," fays he, "when ye "fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a fad countenance; for. they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to fast (a).”. "When thou dost "thine alms, do not found a trumpet before thee, "as the hypocrites do in the fynagogues, and in the "streets, that they may have glory of men (b).” The hypocrite performs his religious duties with the utmoft diligence in the eye of the world; and is equally induftrious in concealing his faults. When you are obferving him, he does well; but when you R 2

are:

are not obferving him, he allows himself in that which is evil. He may juftly be compared to an actor on a stage; for he appears in a habit, and with ornaments, which do not belong to him. To look at him, he has the air of an exceeding good Chriftian; take off the mafk, he is a very monster. In a word,, the hypocrite does not care for religion or virtue, confidered in themselves: the object of his attention. is, to obtain the honour and refpectability which men beftow on a religious character. Hence,

2. He is, in a particular manner, careful to per-form thofe duties of religion, which are chiefly connected with the external fervice, and make the greateft appearance in the eye of the world. Thus we find our Saviour describes the Pharifees: "They fast"ed very often; for a pretence, they made long prayers; they caufed a trumpet to be founded be "fore them, when they were about to give their "alms to the poor; they prayed ftanding in the "fynagogues, and in the corners of the streets;; "they paid the tythes of anife, mint and cummin, "while they neglected the weightier matters of the "law (c)." Accordingly, our bleffed Saviour compares them to whited walls and painted fepulchres, that are beautiful indeed without, but, within, are full of uncleannefs and rotten bones. We may juftly compare the hypocrite to fruits that appear fair to the eye, but are very bitter to the tafte, and fometimes poisonous and deadly in their operation; or to those who paint their faces, who, having no native beauty, endeavour to fupply, by art, what nature hath denied. In a word, the hypocrite affects a demure look, caft-down eyes, a mortified vifage, and a great appearance of zeal; he can pray with much feeming fervour, and external devotion; but, at bottom, he is a wicked perfon, that entertains finful. lufts and paffions in his heart.

() Matt. xxii..

3. A

3. A hypocrite is very often determined to act, in matters of religion, by a regard to worldly interest and advantage. Thus, our Saviour tells us, that the Pharifees, for a pretence, made long prayers, that they might devour widows houfes. And the apostle: fpeaks of fome, that were men of corrupt minds,. and deftitute of the truth, fuppofing that gain is "godliness (a)." And, indeed, it is too frequently, feen, that men put on the mask of religion, and take up the profeffion and outward practice of it, merely from fecular views; fome to make a livelihood of it, others to promote their trade and bufinefs; and others, to conciliate the favour and friendship of those from whom they have expectations of worldly advan-tage.. Nay, fome are fuch abandoned hypocrites, that they affect to be thought religious, merely that, with the lefs fufpicion, they may cheat and defraud their neighbours. And, alas! it is much to be lamented, that, by thofe means, they too often accomplish their ends. for men of candour and integrity are apt to judge of others by themselves, and think them equally fincere in their profeffions. But, how juftly may that character be applied to fuch covetous perfons; "They' "come before thee as thy people cometh, and they "fit before thee as thy people, and they hear thy "words, but will not do them; for, with their: "mouth, they fhew much love, but their heart goeth. "after their covetoufnefs (d)."

4. Another part of the hypocrite's character is,, that he has a great opinion of himself, of his own: merit, and of his own piety and devotion. He thinks himself fomething, when he is nothing; and hence, he takes a great deal of pleafure and: fatisfaction in hearing himself commended: Sometimes, indeed, he feems to defpife praife; but: this is only in appearance; his thoughts and his. words do not correfpond: For he is fond of R 3 applaate:

(a) 1 Tim. vi. 3.

(4) Ezek. xxxiii.' 35..

applause in his heart; and if he pretend to fhun, or fly from it, it is only that you may reckon him to deferve it the more. Nay, fometimes, by a refined ftroke in deceit, the hypocrite will speak with hesitation of his own merit and actions; but, if you contradict him not, he is greatly disappointed, and difcovers manifeft indications of uneafinefs: a plain proof, that his cenfures against himfelf are only fo many baits to catch the praifes of others. But, if you go farther, and tell him of his faults, you will not fail to kindle his refentment; and though, for the fake of his own reputation, he may conceal it for a time, yet he fecretly indulges intentions of revenge, and only waits for a favourable opportunity of gratifying that malignant paffion on the man who had prefumed to offend him by his counfels. In a word, whatever religious duty the hypocrite performs, his fecret: boast is that of the Pharifee: "God, I thank thee, "that I am not as other men are;" or, like those whom the prophet Ifaiah fpeaks of, he fays, "Stand by, come not near me, for I am holier than thou (a).”. And this brings me to obferve to you,

5. That the hypocrite is very partial to himself, and makes great allowances for his own faults; while he is fevere in cenfuring the character and conduct of his neighbour. Thus we find there were fome in the days of our Saviour, who could obferve a mote in their brother's eye, but took no notice of the beam in their own. Thefe our Lord feverely reproves, "Thou hypocrite," fays he, "firft caft the

beam out of thine own eye, and then fhalt thou "fee clearly to caft out the mote out of thy brother's

eye (q)." This then you find is a diftinguishing mark of the hypocrite: He obferves the conduct of others with a jealous eye; not that he may imitate what is good, or avoid what is evil, but merely to fpy out their faults, and raife his own reputation at the