Bates - BT766 B3 1699

pritial Perfec1onâ jufl Publican was rather juflified than the proud Pharifee. This fpiritual Pride is very obfervabce in the fuperílitious , who meafuring Di- vine Things with Humane, from that mixture of imaginations, introduce car- nal Rites into the Worfhip of God, and value themfelves upon their opinionative Goodnefs : They miílake the fwelling of a Dropfe for fubflàntiál growth, and prefume themfelves to be more holy than others, for their proud fingularity. Su* perflition is like Ivy, that twines about the Tree, and is its Reining ornament, but drains its vital' Sap ; and under its verdant Leaves covers a Carcafs : Thus carnal Ceremonies Teem to adorn Reli- gion,__ but really difpirit , and weaken Its efficacy. Pharifaical Pride is foment= ed by a zealous obfervance of things un- commanded in Religion, neither pleafing to God, nor profitable to Men. On the contrary , fome Vifionaries pretend to Tuch a fublimity of Grace and eminent Sanity, that they are above the ufe of Divine Ordinances : They pretend to live in immediate Communion with God, as the Angels ; and dazled with fpecï- pus Spiritu'alities, they neglea Prayer, hearing the Word, and receiving the .Sa- crament, the means of growing in Grace, . s if they were arrived at Perfe&lion. This

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