THE HYPOCRITES' LADDER OR LOOKING GLASS-Modernized Edition

A Discourse on Hypocrisy’s Deadly Deceit — Showing the Soul’s Ascent Toward Heaven and the Mirror That Tests the Truth of Grace

De: John Sheffield (1657)

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

PART ONE: THE HYPOCRITE'S LADDER - How Far Can You Climb Without True Faith?

The book opens with an exposition of Matthew 11:23-24, where Jesus pronounces judgment on Capernaum—a city that had witnessed more of Christ's miracles than anywhere else, yet remained unconverted. Christ declares it would be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment than for Capernaum. Why? Because Capernaum had extraordinary spiritual privileges but no genuine transformation.

Sheffield uses this text as a launching point to explore what he calls "the Hypocrite's Ladder"—a detailed analysis of how high someone can rise in religious profession without possessing saving faith. He systematically identifies sixty distinct steps that can be climbed by those who are ultimately self-deceived.

The Four Types of Grace That Hypocrites Can Possess:
1. Preparatory Graces - These include:

• Illumination of the mind to understand spiritual truths intellectually
• Conviction of sin that produces temporary remorse
• Legal terrors and fear of hell's consequences
• Desires for salvation (but not for holiness)
• Temporary reformations of outward behavior
• Professions of faith and public religious commitments

2. Fundamental Graces (in counterfeit form) - The hypocrite can exhibit what appears to be:

• Faith (but only historical or temporary, not saving)
• Repentance (but only from fear, not genuine heart change)
• Love (but for personal benefit, not for God's glory)
• Hope (but presumptuous, not grounded in true conversion)

3. Nutritive Graces - These are the ongoing practices that seem to sustain spiritual life:

• Regular prayer (lengthy, eloquent, even emotional)
• Diligent hearing of sermons and Bible study
• Participation in sacraments
• Fellowship with believers
• Financial giving and acts of charity
• Zeal for sound doctrine and defending the faith

4. Consummative Graces - Even advanced spiritual experiences can be counterfeited:

• Joy in worship and spiritual exercises
• Comfort from Scripture and promises
• Confidence in God's favor
• Boldness in witnessing
• Suffering for the faith
• Perseverance for many years in religious practice

Sheffield doesn't merely list these; he provides biblical examples and detailed explanations of how each can exist without genuine conversion. He shows that Judas had all the external marks of an apostle and that Saul prophesied among the prophets. How the foolish virgins had lamps and oil and waited for the bridegroom, but lacked the one essential element.
The cumulative effect is devastating: Almost everything we typically associate with genuine Christianity can be present in an unconverted person. Knowledge, emotions, practices, experiences, perseverance—none of these alone proves salvation.