upon Religious Subjects. 3 59 rently unreafonable is it, feverely to condemn SERM. lighter offences in our neighbours while much XIV. greater ones are chargeable upon ourfelves ? And what Ikill can we pretend to in in- ftructing, what authority in urging others to reformation, while it is notorious we have not wifdom and integrity enough to difcover and correct our own greater errors ? Here alfo, as in other parts of the fermon, there feems to be a regard had to the temper and way of the fcribes and pharifees, hypocrites, againft which our Saviour would have his difciples very cautious : for they were fevere in ani- madverting upon minute failures, as in ritual matters, while they indulged themfelves ha- bitually in heinous vices, in pride, covetouf- nefs, and oppreffion. Let every man there- fore, who fets up for an inftrutor, and re- former of others, fill call the beam out of his own eye, and then he will fie clearly to call out the mote out of his brother's eye. Let him firft difcharge himfelf of all ill habits, purify his heart from corrupt affections, and cleanfe his life from vicious prances ; then will he be able both with greater underftanding and efficacy, to direct others in the neceffary work of reformation. Aa4 But
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