Hypocrisy is the pretense of being religious without true devotion. It manifests in two types: gross hypocrites, who deceive others but not themselves, and close hypocrites, who are self-deceived. Various degrees exist, from general profession of faith to extraordinary displays of piety lacking sincerity. The following practical directions show how authenticity in heart and life is crucial for genuine faith.… Read More How To Avoid Hypocrisy
Man’s practical atheism is evidenced in our corrupt matter or ends of prayer and praise. When we are importunate for those things that we know not whether the righteousness, holiness, and wisdom of God can grant, because he hath not discovered his will in any promise to bestow them, we would then impose such conditions on God, which he never obliged himself to grant. When we pray for things not so much to glorify God, which ought to be the end of prayer, as to gratify ourselves.… Read More Practical Atheism: Corrupt Prayer & Praise
Content not yourself with that formal religion which unregenerate men have framed to themselves, instead of sincere devotion; for in the multitude of opinions, most men have almost lost the practice of true religion. Think not that you are good enough, because you do as the most, and are not so bad as the worst. No man is so wicked that he is addicted to all kind of vices, for there is an antipathy between some vices; but remember that Christ says, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat. 5:20). Consider with yourself how far you come short of the Pharisees, in fasting, praying, frequenting the church, and giving of alms: think with yourself how many pagans who never knew baptism, yet in moral virtues and honesty of life, do go far beyond you—where is then the life of Christ your master? And how far are you from being a true Christian?… Read More An Exhortation To True Piety
The hope of long life is an hindrance to piety. For, were it possible that a wicked man thought this year to be his last year, this month his last month, this week his last week—he would change and amend his wicked life. He would use the best means to repent, and to become a new man. But as the rich man in the gospel promised himself many years to live in ease, mirth, and fullness (Luke 12:19-20), when he had not one night to live longer: so many wicked epicures falsely promise themselves the age of many years, when the thread of their life is already almost drawn out to an end. So Jeremiah ascribes the cause of the Jews’ sins and calamities to this, that she remembered not her last end (Lam. 1:9).… Read More The Hope of Long Life: A Hindrance to Piety
Hindrances to piety: Evil examples of men; Temporary prosperity of the wicked; Presumption on God’s mercy; Bad company; Worldly joy and peace.… Read More Five Hindrances To True Piety
The first hindrance of piety is an ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The grounds of religion mistaken are these: Justification by faith alone; Predestination; Free will; Original sin; Free offer of the gospel, etc.… Read More Eight Commonly Misunderstood Bible Doctrines
The first hindrance of piety is an ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: Ezekiel 33:14, 16; Matthew 11:28; 3. Romans 8:1; 1 Timothy 1:15; Proverbs 24:16; Isaiah 64:6; James 3:2; Luke 23:43; 1 John 1:7; & Romans 5:20.… Read More Ten Commonly Misunderstood Bible Verses
True Christianity vs Dead Orthodoxy Preached on the Lord’s Day of 28 August 2016by Pastor Craig J. Scott “And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as… Read More True Christianity vs Dead Orthodoxy
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” (Matthew. 9:13)… There is much to be learned from God’s expressing himself in his word that he likes mercy to them that stand in need of it, better than the offering of the richest sacrifice. Three things especially we learn in it: 1. The respective value and preference of duties. 2. The guise of hypocrites, as our Saviour pinches and taxes the Pharisees often by this point. 3. The excellence of mercy.… Read More Moral Duties Before Ritual
“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him,…if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments…Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father… Read More Why Did Christ Only Mention the Second Table?
Purely Presbyterian 