shall be made out; if this, upon examination, prove to be our case, we have great reason to think well of ourselves, and, to conclude, that we are in such a state of mind, as God will accept and reward. A

II. Second, and sure proof of religious sincerity may be drawn from a general view of the common course of our lives and actions. If there be an even tenor of goodness visible in our conduct, a regular and steady pursuit of virtue, without any gross and notorious failures in scandalous instances, and flagrant acts of wickedness; if, whenever we happen to fall by some great temptation, we continue not long and quietly under the guilt of it, but recover our ground forthwith, and return to our duty; proceeding on in the paths of obedience and an holy life habitually, and discharging our obligations to God and man pretty evenly and uniformly; then may we, from hence also, make a comfortable guess at the goodness of our condition in this world, and nourish very promising hopes to ourselves of being happy in another. 'Tis not to be expected, that while we are in the body, we should live altogether free from the stains and infirmities of it. In the very best of men, their passions will sometimes prevail over their reason, and the strongest sense of their duty will give way to a present temptation. A pious man may, now and then, be very cold and languid in the performance of his devotions, and very full of distractions and wanderings. A meek and good man, by some unforeseen accident, and by several conspiring circumstances, may be raised up into an unbecoming pitch of anger and resentment. A temperate man may, through importunity, or for want of a due guard over himself, be gradually and insensibly betrayed into some degree of excess. But then, in all these cases, the person falling, quickly comes to himself again; the fit is short and soon over, and is succeeded immediately by shame and remorse, by new resolutions and more vigorous endeavours. Consider the man altogether, and you will find, that the general current of his behaviour

bears witness to his integrity, though he fail now and then in particular instances. And God, who sees all our actions at once, will judge us upon the whole view, and not single out our worst qualities, without any regard to our best, in order to exercise his severity upon us. Let not man therefore too hastily and too severely condemn himself for frequent infirmities, slips, and neglects; let no man, who would judge aright of his spiritual estate, fix his eye too intently on some particular blemishes and failings, of which, perhaps, he is conscious; but let him look rather to the main scope and drift of his thoughts, words, and actions; and by that let him try himself, as by the justest measure and standard of sincere goodness. How contrary to this is the conduct of some good and pious souls! How usual is it for persons, well advanced in piety, when they are making such inquiries as these, to dwell altogether on their defects and miscarriages, without regarding the regular course of a virtuous and well-ordered life; and to condemn themselves, as false and insincere, because they are not perfect and sinless! God forbid, that these should be the terms, upon which we are to be dealt with! For where then would be the man upon earth who could undergo the scrutiny? If thou, Lord, shouldst be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? Psal. cxxx. S. A

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III. Third sign and test of sincerity is, if a man be not content with any determined proportion of goodness, nor willing to sit down at such a point of virtue, as he hath already attained, without aiming at a further degree of increase and proficiency. For the path of the just is as the shining light, says the wise man, shining more and more unto the perfect day: Prov. iv. 18, That is, the truly good are always aiming to be better, and how far soever they have run in the race of virtue, still urge onward incessantly, and eagerly; forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, they press towards the mark for the

prize of the high-calling of God in Christ Jesus, Phil. iii. 12. A soul truly touched with the sense of its own sins and unworthiness, and of the infinite mercies and condescensions of God towards us, will never stint and bound itself in its returns; but will endeavour to love as much, and to obey as far as is possible. Let its attainments be what they will, yet it knows, that they are short, extremely short of its obligations; that the measures of grace, which we arrive at here, are only earnests, and spurs, and helps towards larger communications, and higher improvements; and, therefore, that a man is never so good as he ought to be, who doth not heartily desire and design to be as good as he can be; and breathe and pant after perfection itself, even in this life, though he be satisfied, that it is not fully attainable but in another; since withal he is satisfied, that the more uniformly and vigorously he presses towards the mark of perfection in this life, the nearer still shall he approach to it, though he shall never reach it; and the nearer he is towards reaching it here, the more glorious shall be his crown, and the more exalted his state of perfection hereafter. And therefore, if any one find himself inclined to circumscribe his practice within such or such limits of duty beyond which he never intends, nor expects to go; to hold fast the pleasures of life, and to enjoy as much of them as ever he can consistently with the principles of religion; arguing always for the utmost extent of his christian liberty, and desiring to make his obligations as narrow as may be; such an one hath reason to conclude, that he is as yet short of those qualifications, which are necessary to recommend him to the Judge of all hearts, and Discerner of spirits.

IV. A fourth mark or test by which a man may discover, whether he be sincerely religious, or not, is, to examine himself whether he be as inclinable to exercise the graces and virtues of the christian life in private, as in public; without doing any thing merely for the applause,

or fear of men; but under a conscientious regard to Him, that seeth in secret, and under an expectation that he, who seeth in secret, will, at the great day of account, reward him openly, Matth. vi. 18. For example, let a man consider whether he be as punctual and exact in performing his closet-devotions, as in repairing to the public offices of the church, and as uneasy under the omission of the one, as the other; and when he prays in private, whether he be as composed, and reverent, and devout in his behaviour as he is, when the eyes of a great assembly are upon him. Again, as to points of mercy, generosity, and justice, let him reflect, whether he be as ready to give alms in private, as in the streets; to defend the cause of the injured and oppressed, and to support a good man's reputation, in such circumstances, when he is sure never to hear of it again, as he would be, if all the world heard, and observed him. Finally, whether he be as loth to defraud his neighbour in a great matter, or a small, when he might do it securely, without fear of a discovery; as he should be, if he were sure to be arraigned in a court of judicature for it. He that can truly answer these questions to his own satisfaction, hath no great reason to distrust his sincerity; and he who cannot, hath as little reason to depend upon it.

Hypocrisy, when in perfection, will act real goodness so well, and put on the shape and disguise of it so exactly, as to deceive even him who plays the part, as well as those who look on, and create a belief in him that he is what he seems to be; till he compares himself with himself, his private with his public conduct; and that touchstone never fails to distinguish true from counterfeit piety; for the surest indications of men's characters are those actions and discourses which flow from them, when they are off their guard, and under no awe or restraint from the eyes and observations of others.

V. A fifth thing, by which sincerity in religion manifests itself is, when a man appears to act, not out of

by-aims, and a private interest, but out of a true zeal for the honour of God, the interest of virtue, and the good of mankind. Would you satisfy yourself, whether you sincerely love such a relation, such an acquaintance, such a friend? Consider, do you, on all occasions, design to promote what is for their service and reputation? do you heartily desire and endeavour their good, without having an immediate eye on your own advantage in it? If you do, 'tis certain that your friendship and affection are sincere; for no man can give better proofs and assurances of it. And the case is the same with respect to God and religion. If a man feels himself inwardly warmed and acted by a true concern for the glory of God, for the honour of his name, and for his worship; if he be apt to undervalue worldly regads, and petty private views, in comparison of this great end; if in evil days, when the manners of men are extremely corrupted, he is not ashamed to act up to strict principles of virtue which are not in fashion, nor is remiss in the practice of those duties, which, he foresees, will scarcely turn to account; espousing firmly and unalterably the cause of God, and goodness, even when hundreds on his right hand have gone off, and thousands have revolted on his left: in a word, when a man can be loose and sceptical, with the general applause of the world, and cannot be otherwise, without being despised, and pitied; and yet is so far from being tempted to a compliance, that he doth what he can to stem the torrent of impiety, and to make his virtue as conspicuous as other men's vices: when a man, I say, doth, upon reflection, find himself thus resolved and qualified, he hath great reason to be pleased with his condition, and to conclude, that it is well pleasing to God also: for there is no surer mark of integrity, than a courageous adherence to virtue, in the midst of a general and scandalous apostacy. Which is the reason that Noah and Abraham, Lot and Daniel have so high an encomium bestowed on them in Scripture, and are recommended