To seek to be better inwardly in his substance — than outwardly in appearance.
"Having a form of godliness — but denying its power." This is a business which no hypocrite chooses to be employed in — he prefers varnish — to solid gold. It little concerns him how much the house is infected with the leprosy — just so long as it is but outwardly fair to human inspection. He forgets that, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God."
Formality frequently takes its dwelling near the chambers of integrity, and so assumes its name; the soul not suspecting that Hell should make so near an approach to Heaven. A rotten post, though covered with gold, is more fit to be burned in the fire, than for the building of a fabric. Where there is a pure conscience — there will be a pure conversation. The dial of our faces does not infallibly show — the time of day in our hearts. The humblest looks may enamel the face — while unbounded pride governs the heart! Unclean spirits may inhabit the house — when they look not out at the window.
A hypocrite may be both the fairest and the foulest creature in the world! He may be fairest outwardly in the eyes of man — and foulest inwardly in the sight of God. How commonly do such unclean swans cover their black flesh with their white feathers! Though such wear the mantle of Samuel — they bear the name of Satan!
Many appear righteous — who are only righteous in appearance. But while they are deceiving others with the false shows of holiness — they are also deceiving themselves with the false hopes of happiness. The hypocrite would not willingly appear evil — and yet would inwardly be evil. He would gladly be accounted godly — and yet would not be godly. Man, either appear what you are — or be what you appear. What will the form of godliness do for you — if you deny the power thereof? Own this — or God will disown you! Those who have the power of godliness, cannot deny the form; while those who have the form of godliness, may deny the power.
Hypocrites resemble looking-glasses — which present the faces that are not in them. Oh, how desirous are men to put the fairest gloves — upon the foulest hands; and the finest paint — upon the rottenest posts! To counterfeit the coin of Heaven, is to commit treason against the King of Heaven. Who would spread an exquisite cloth — upon a dirty table?
If a mariner sets sail in an unsound ship — he may reasonably expect to lose his voyage. No wise virgin would carry a lamp — without light. O professor, either get the light — or part with the lamp. None are so black in the eyes of the all knowing God — as those who paint for spiritual beauty.
Some people are better in show — than in substance. But not so with true Christians; they are not like painted tombs, which enclose decayed bones. The king’s daughter "is all glorious within!" She is all glorious within — though within is not all her glory. That is a sad charge, which the God of truth brings against certain false professors, "I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not — but are the synagogue of Satan!" A false friend — is worse than an open enemy. A painted harlot is less dangerous — than a painted hypocrite. A treacherous Judas is more abhorred by God — than a bloody Pilate!
Professors! Remember the sheep’s clothing will soon be stripped from the wolf’s back! The velvet plaster of profession — shall not always conceal the offensive ulcer of corruption. Neither the ship of formality nor hypocrisy — will carry one person to the harbor of felicity. The blazing lamps of foolish virgins may light them to the Bridegroom’s gate — but not into His chamber. Either get the nature of Christ within you — or take the name of Christ away from you.
Oh, what vanity is it to lop off the boughs — and leave the roots which can send forth more; or to empty the cistern, and leave the fountain running which can soon fill it again! Such may swim in the water as the visible church — but when the net is drawn to shore, they must be thrown away as bad fishes. Though the tares and the wheat may grow in the field together — yet they will not be housed in the granary together.
How pious and devout did the Pharisees appear before men! The people concluded these religious leaders, to be the only saints upon the earth. They judged the inward man by the outward — but not so with the heart-searching God! For He said unto them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men — but God knows your hearts! What is highly valued among men — is detestable in God’s sight!" That sepulcher is not always the repository of gold — which is outwardly garnished. Herod was a god in the esteem of the people — when he was but a fiend in the sight of the Lord; they adored him — but God destroyed him.
A man’s outward life may be civilized — when his heart is not evangelized. There is as much difference between nature restrained — and nature renewed, as between the glimmering of a glowworm — and the splendor of the noonday sun! A bad man is certainly the worst — when he is seemingly the best. We must not account everyone a soldier — who swaggers with a sword. A rusty sword — may frequently be found in a highly decorated scabbard. What good is it to have our hands as white as snow — if our hearts are as black as the bottomless pit! Such professors resemble soap bubbles — smooth and pretty without — yet only filled with air!
A man may wear the Savior’s livery — and yet be busied in Satan’s drudgery! The skin of an apple may be fair — when it is rotten at the core! Though all gold may glitter — yet all is not gold that glitters. The worst hypocrite may have the color of gold — but not the value of gold. What comparison is there, between the golden cup filled with putrid water — and the clay cup filled with fine wine?
Very few deceivers duly weigh that notable saying of the wise man, "The man of integrity walks securely — but he who takes crooked paths will be found out!" God, who promises to cover the true Christian’s infirmities — threatens also to disclose the hypocrite’s impieties. Well would it be for such to remember that arch-traitor Judas who purchased nothing by his deceitful dealings — but a halter for his body, in which he was hanged; and fire for his soul, in which he is burning!
William Secker, 1660