However difficult it may be to discern the difference between wheat and tares, yet doubtless the eye of sense can more easily discriminate them, than the most quick and piercing eye of man can discern the difference between special and common grace: for all saving graces in the saints have their counterfeits in hypocrites. There are similar works in these, which a spiritual and very judicious eye may easily mistake for the saving and genuine effects of the sanctifying Spirit.
Doth the Spirit of God convince the consciences of His people of the evil of sin? Rom. 7, 9. Hypocrites have their convictions too, Exod. 10 v 16 “Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you”. Thus was Saul also convicted 1st Sam. 15 v 24.
Doth true conviction and compunction work reformation of life in the people of God? Even hypocrites also have been famous for their reformations. The unclean spirit often goes out of the hypocrite by an external reformation; and yet still retains his propriety in him Math 12, v 43, 44. That departure is indeed no more than a polite retreat. Many that shall never escape the damnation of Hell, have yet escaped the pollutions of the world, and that by the knowledge of the Son of God. 2nd Pet 2 v 20 and 21.
Doth the Spirit of the Lord produce that glorious and supernatural work of faith in convinced and humbled souls? In this also the hypocrite apes and imitates the believer Acts 8 v 13. “Then Simon himself believed also”. Luke 8, v 13 — “These are they which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.”
Doth the precious eye of faith discovering the transcendent excellencies that are in Christ, enflame the affections of the believing soul with vehement desires and longings after Him? Strange notions of heart have also been found in hypocrites towards Christ and Heavenly things John 6, v 34 — “Lord, evermore give us this bread.” Math 25 v 8 “Give us of your oil for our lamps are gone out.” With what a rapture was Balaam transported, when he said “Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his” Numb. 23 v. 10.
Doth the work of faith in some believers bear upon its top branches the full ripe fruit of a blessed assurance? Lo! what a strong confidence and high built persuasions of an interest in God, have sometimes been found even in unsanctified ones? John 8, v 54 “Of whom ye say that He is your God, and yet ye have not known Him.” To the same height of confidence arrived those vain souls mentioned in Rom 2, v 19. Yea so strong may this false assurance be that they dare boldly venture to the judgment-seat of God, and there defend it “Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in Thy name?”
Doth the Spirit of God fill the heart of the assured believer with joy unspeakable and full of glory, giving him through faith a foretaste of Heaven itself, in those first fruits of it? How near to this comes that which the apostle supposes may be found even in apostates Heb. 6, 8 & 9 who are those said “to taste the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.” If real Christians delight in ordinances, those that are not may also delight in approaching to God. Ezek 33, v 32.
It may be you will say, through the difference be not easily discerned in their active obedience, yet, when it shall come to suffering, there every eye may see it; the false heart may then flinch, and cannot brook that work. And yet this is no infallible rule, for the apostle supposes that the salamander of hypocrisy may live in the very flames of martyrdom. 1 Cor. 13 v 3 “If I give my body to be burned, and have not charity it profiteth me nothing.”
As in so many things the hypocrite resembles the saint; so there are other things in which a real Christian may act too like a hypocrite. When we find a Pharoah confessing, a Herod practising, as well as hearing a Judas preaching Christ, and an Alexander venturing his life for Paul; and on the other side find a David condemning that in another which he practised himself, a Hezekiah glorying in his riches, a Peter dissembling, and even all the disciples forsaking Christ in the hour of trouble and danger. O then! how hard it is for the eye of man to discern between wheat and tares. How many upright hearts are now censured, whom God will clear? How many false hearts are now approved when God will condemn?
“The Lord knoweth them that are His” 2 Tim. 2, v 19. He will have a day perfectly to server the tares from the wheat, to melt off the varnish of the most resplendent and refined hypocrite, and to blow off the ashes of infirmities, which have covered and obscured the very sparks of sincerity in His people. He will make such a division as was never yet made in the world. “Then shall ye return and discover between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God, and him that serveth Him not.” Mal. 3, v 18.