1. = INSINCERE a. 1: a. Of actions, etc.
1577. trans. Bullinger’s Decades, 566/1. The consideration of the vnsincere feare of God.
1646. Hammond, Death-bed Repent., 62. Sure there is such a thing as unsincere resolution.
1683. Temple, Mem., Wks. 1720, I. 410. To act an unsincere Part either in Friendship or in Love.
1718. Freethinker, No. 83. An affected, unsincere Humility towards God.
b. Of persons. Also absol.
1617. Hieron, Wks., 1620, II. 155. Judas [was] an apostle, yet what careth God for him, being vnsincere?
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., xxii. 85. I cannot pronounce any thing in the behalf of the unsincere, but that Hell it self is their portion.
1700. Congreve, Way of World, I. C 1 b. What, I warrant he’s unsincere, or ’tis some such Trifle.
c. 1742. Shenstone, Song, ‘On ev’ry tree,’ v. My friends … Might well demand one tender tear; For when was Damon unsincere?
† 2. = INSINCERE a. 2. Obs.
1664. Boyle, Exper. touching Colours, 197. The Light of a Candle … made unsincere, and … Ting’d with a Yellow Colour.
1666. Dryden, Ann. Mirab., ccix. But ah! how unsincere are all our Joys!
1725. Pope, Odyssey, IV. 1060. O why, Penelope, this causeless fear, To render sleep’s soft blessings unsincere?
Hence Unsincereness.
1683. Temple, Mem., Wks. 1720, I. 435. When the Dutch should grow more impatient of the Slowness or Unsincereness of their Allies Proceedings in the General Treaty.
