Profession of Faith

“How many are painted only with the vermilion of a profession, whose seeming luster dazzles the eyes of the beholders, but within there is nothing but petrification! Hypocrites are like the swan, which has white feathers, but black skin; or like the lily, which has a fair color, but a bad scent. ‘Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead’ (Rev. 3:1). “ The Godly Man’s Picture ” pg. 15”

“Are there not many that name the name of the Lord Jesus, that do not depart from iniquity (2 Tim 2:19), and profess they know God—but in works deny Him? (Titus 1:16). And will God receive these for true converts? What! converts from sin, when they still live in sin? It is a visible contradiction. Surely, if the lamp of profession would have served the turn, the foolish virgins had never been shut out (Matt 25:12). We find not only professing Christians—but preachers of Christ, and wonder-workers, rejected, because they are evil-workers (Matt 7:22-23). ~ A Sure Guide to Heaven by Joseph Alleine”

“Judas called Christ Lord, Lord; and yet betrayed him, and has gone to his place. Ah! how many Judases have we in these days, that kiss Christ, and yet betray Christ; that in their words profess him—but in their works deny him; that bow their knee to him, and yet in their hearts despise him; that call him Jesus, and yet will not obey him for their Lord. ~ Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by Thomas Brooks”