There is cause to complain, not only of the want of sincerity in men's
profession of friendship, and that they do not love so well as they
pretend nor will serve their friends so much as they promise, but,
which is much worse, of wicked designs in the profession of friendship,
and the making of it subservient to the most malicious intentions. This
is here spoken of as a common thing (v. 24): He that hates his
neighbour, and is contriving to do him a mischief, yet dissembles with
his lips, professes to have a respect for him and to be ready to serve
him, talks kindly with him, as Cain with Abel, asks, Art thou in
health, my brother? as Joab to Amasa, that his malice may not be
suspected and guarded against, and so he may have the fairer
opportunity to execute the purposes of it, this man lays up deceit
within him, that is, he keeps in his mind the mischief he intends to do
his neighbour till he catches him at an advantage. This is malice which
has no less of the subtlety than it has of the venom of the old serpent
in it. Now, as to this matter, we are here cautioned, 1. Not to be so
foolish as to suffer ourselves to be imposed upon by the pretensions of
friendship. Remember to distrust when a man speaks fair; be not too
forward to believe him unless you know him well, for it is possible
there may be seven abominations in his heart, a great many projects of
mischief against you, which he is labouring so industriously to conceal
with his fair speech. Satan is an enemy that hates us, and yet in his
temptations speaks fair, as he did to Eve, but it is madness to give
credit to him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; seven
other spirits does one unclean spirit bring more wicked than himself.
2. Not to be so wicked as to impose upon any with a profession of
friendship; for, though the fraud may be carried on plausibly awhile,
it will be brought to light, v. 26. He whose hatred is covered by
deceit will one time or other be discovered, and his wickedness shown,
to his shame and confusion, before the whole congregation; and nothing
will do more to make a man odious to all companies. Love (says one) is
the best armour, but the worst cloak, and will serve dissemblers as the
disguise which Ahab put on and perished in.