OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS.. ance. However men are divided in their apprehension and practice about religion i however different from and contrary to each other, their ways of divine wor- ship are i yet it is amongst all sorts of men, yea, in the secret thoughts of them who outwardly contemn these things, a matter of reputation to be devout, to he dili- gent, to be strict in and about those duties of religion, which, according to their own light and persuasion, they judge incumbent on them. This greatly affects the minds of men, whilst pride is secretly predominant in them, and they love the praise of men more than the praise of God. Especially will this consideration prevail on them, when they suppose that the credit and honor of the . way which they profess, in competition with others, depends much on their reputationas to their strictness in duties of devotion. For then will they not only be diligent in themselves, but zealous in drawing others to the same observances. These two principles, their own reputation, and that of their sect, constituted the life and soul of Pharisaism of old. According as the minds of men are influenced with these apprehensions, so will a love to, and a delight in, those duties where- by their reputation is attained, thrive and grow in them. I am far from apprehending that any men are, (at least I speak not of them who are,) such vile hypo- crites, as to do all that they do in religion to be seen and praised of men, being influenced in all public du- ties thereby, which some among the Pharisees were given up to. But Í speak of them, who, being under the convictions and motives before mentioned, do also yet give admittance to this corrupt end of desire of reputation, or the praise of men. For every such end
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