any defect or default in it, he knoweth he may easily else be overreached. The like must be our practise2 Cor. 2.17. in all matters of faith and manners: and this is to walk in the truth, when we have our conversation honest, and hold the truth of Doctrine purely, as we may endure the tryall of the light. Thus the Apostle joyneth sincerity and truth together,1 Cor. 5.8. as one and the same, or as the speciall and generall, sincerity being a branch of truth. This is our comfort, that2 Cor. 1.12. in simplicity and sincerity of God, that is, godly sincerity, we have had our conversation.
5. Firmenesse and constancy in every holy duty of our generall or personall calling, of piety or righteousnesse. A faithfull spirit is stedfast with God: the ground of declining is lacke of truth. TheirPsal. 78.8.
Psal. 78.37. heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his Covenant. If the heart be not true, what shew soever a man makes, he is but like an Apple, rotten at the coare, or as an house built upon the sand, the one of which, though beautifull, will soon putrifie, the other, though fairly set, will quickly fal. A man may have many worthy gifts, but if he want sincerity, upon a sudden may be taken from him, both that which he hath, and that which he seemeth to have, & his end be as the fig-tree, which making only a shew with leaves, having no fruit, being cursed, lost even those also, and withered away by degrees, being good for nothing but the fire. For as a stomack ill affected with choller, though never so wholesome meats be received into it, yet it cannot hold them, but is provoked: so where there is this obstruction of the soul, the wilfull love of any sinfull course, or subordination of grace to boisterous, distempered, earthly passions, pleasures or profits, whatsoever grace is received into the heart, it will not let it rest, but maketh the soul cast it up upon all occasions. Truth and soundnesse is the preserver of grace received: an honest and sound heart is as a vessel well closed, it will keep and hold the liquour of grace that is powred into it. The course of a true Christian is permanent, and continueth unto the end.
This truth or sinceritie, is the girdle, whereby all other graces are tied close unto us. So the Apostle in the description of the spirituall armour,Eph. 6.14. calleth it the girdle of truth. And therefore here also that is true of all men, which we say of children in the Proverbe, Ungirt, unblest. This girdle hath these uses.
First,
