"incapable of attaining to Wifdom. 249 harlots, and this was a principal part of S E R M. their chara Ier, they preteeded to a peculiar X. reputation for fanaity, and would have great acknowledgment made to them, as the ftridteft devotees of their time and their na- tion, not on account of true fubftantial piety and goodnefs, which would have given them quite other fentiments and difpofitions ; they negleéted judgment, mercy, faith, and the love of God, thefe weightieft matters of the law ; but they had a fiery zeal for the ritual parts of religion, ceremonies of little importance, and the traditions of the elders; they farted often, paid tithes of all they poffefl'ed, took care to wafh their hands, and their cups, and pots, and tables, and to make broad their philaEteries ; on this foun- dation they pretended to eminent piety. When yet our bleffed Saviour reprefenteth them as the worft of men, which mutt be the cafe of all fuch hypocrites as make a religi- ous profeffion fubfervient to ambitious views, which fincere religion utterly abhorreth. As pride, on whatever pretence it is founded, is an evil difpofition, it muff be judged of efpecially by what paffeth in the heart; prevailing affedtions do firft and molt naturally difcover themfelves in the thoughts; that which is molt in their efteem, men in- 4 dine
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