John Brown of Wamphray on close hypocrites

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Reformed Covenanter

Cancelled Commissioner
A kind of seeming seriousness in the performance of duties, and in seeking of God, deceiveth many. They think because they are not conscious to their own dissembling, but they look upon themselves as earnest in what they do, that therefore all is well. Sayeth not Christ, that not every one that sayeth Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God. Mat. 7: 21? that is, not every one that reneweth their suits, & ingeminateth their desires, cry and cry over again, and as it were, will not give it over.

And yet they come short of their expectation: did not the foolish virgins seem earnest and serious, when they continued waiting with the rest, and at length, cried Lord, Lord open unto us; and yet they were kept at the door. Many consider not that there is a secret and close hypocrisy, that some may be under and not know it, as well as a gross hypocrisy, and dissimulation, which may be easily observed: Will not many seek to enter in, that shall not be able? Mat. 7: 13. Luk. 13. 24.

For the reference, see John Brown of Wamphray on close hypocrites.
 
How are we supposed to have assurance, then?
 
How are we supposed to have assurance, then?
Trusting in, resting upon, and taking hold of Christ alone by faith alone, and never in our own sincerity, services, depths of sorrow, or any other such vestige of self-righteous attempts at meriting God's favor. There are many true Christians who -this side of glory- may never attain such an assurance, but the lack of assurance does not necessarily indicate the lack of salvation. I believe Wamphray's warning is to those who, instead of looking to Christ alone for merit, and rendering their services, their repentances, etc. to the LORD as expressions of their thankfulness to Him, they look to such things as services rendered to merit favor and salvation. It is a fine line, and one which too many far err on the one side or the other. This greatly illustrates that truth that antinomianism and legalism are just two sides of the same coin, each having made a law of their own to get to their desired position.
 
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