compared with that of God. 297 whereby we invade the prerogative of God as SERM. well as injure men. XI. Thirdly, It is a poor and mean temper, very -^^" unbecoming Chriftians and unworthy of fin-. cerity, eagerly to feek after, and by undue methods to purfue human applaufe. Whofe approbation íhould we be moll follicitous to obtain ? Are men the higheft and molt worthy beings which we know ? Surely then we are blind, and do not fie afar of as the apoftle Peter fpeaks concerning them who lack the chriftian virtues; they have not faith in God, nor endure as felling him who is in- and they have not the fettled ferious expetation of the future judgment. Our Saviour fets this matter in a very clear light, chewing that to at fincerely in the affairs of religion, it is abfolutely neceffary that we ad purely from a regard to God and to his judgment ; and to perform good works, fo called, that is, which have the molt fpe- cious appearance of devotion and charity, only to be feen of men, from oftentation, and with no, higher defign than to be applauded by the fpe kators, this is hypocrify, and will entitle us to no reward from God. Take heed, fays he, that ye do not your alms before men, to be fen of Matt. vi. from the beginning. them,
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