2. They place all their godliness and righteousness in outwara observances or external discipline, and so their religion is more in the flesh and in the letter than in heart and spirit ; as the pharisees rested in outward worship only, or some external rules, without the in- ward and real duties either of the first or second table. Mat. xxiii. 25, they ' cleanse the outside of the cup and platter, but Avithin they are full of extortion and excess ; ' and ver. 28, ' Ye appear outwardly righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.' And everywhere they are represented as painted tombs without, but had much hidden uncleanness and corruption within. There was an outward formality and show of religion, when they denied the power thereof. They should join obedience to God and love to their neigh- bour with their outward sacrifices; but these things were of little value and esteem with them. Now, what sacrifices were to them, that external ordinances are to us ; and what their rituals were, the same is the mode and gai'b of profession among us. And, therefore, external ])rofession, or the perfornjance of external duties according to our way, is not a sufficient testimony of true godliness. For ^Christ saith. Mat. V. 20, ' Exce})t your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.' Their righteousness was an outside righteousness, without that inward constitution of soul which doth belong to a renewed heart, and yet carried on in such a way, and applauded by men, that
Mat. IX. 13.] morals before rituals. 15
the Jews had a saying, That if but two men out of all the Avorld went to lieaven, the one should be a scribe and the other a pharisee. 0 Christians ! it is one thing to approve ourselves to God, who searclieth the heart, and another tiling to approve ourselves to men, who look only to the outside and fair appearance without. A renewed heart, that is unfeignedly set to please God in all things, is more than all the pomp of external duties. And, therefore, we should study to give evidence of this by making conscience of obedience, as well inwardly as outwardly, growing in holiness all the days of our lives. This will be comfortable to us, and this will be approved of God hereafter, even such an holiness as is manifested in all the parts of our conversation, in outward carriage and secret practice, common affairs, and religious duties; in the worship of God, and charity and justice to men : Phil. iii. 3, ' We are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and have no confidence in the flesh.' When there is a serious bent, and the true spiritual affections of a renewed heart to- Avards God and man, and we do not rest in outward duties, but are still growing in internal grace, faith, hope, and love, and are still l)urifying the heart and life, that we may constantly glorify God, and do good to men, this is that which is over and above the right- ousness of the scribes and pharisecs : our duty is to serve God in the spirit, and to bring the inward man in subjection to him, without which externals are of little worth.
3. They were more in love with ceremonies than with substance. Sacrifices, which belonged to the ceremonies of the law, were in high esteem with them ; but godliness, justice, and mercy were of little regard. And as outward things were preferred before inward, so the lesser things before the weighty : as to their duties, tithing mint, and anise, and cummin ; but they have omitted the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, faith. ' These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone,' Mat. xxiii. 23. Formality and hypocrisy maketh men wise about that which is least to purpose. They make a business about ceremonies, but neglect the substance of religion. They enlarged their phylacteries, which were scrolls of parchment on which the law was written, but took no care of having the law of God written upon their hearts. Hypocrisy is an odd, trifling zeal, which runneth out upon little things. fSo for avoiding sin, Mat. xxiii. 24, ' They strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel' More scrupulous in a little sin than a great; in small sins very scrupulous, in greater matters very adventurous. And because this is one of the main things here intended, I shall give you instances and reasons.
[1.] Instances to prove that hypocrites have such an odd con- science that straineth greatly at a small thing. We have them every- where out of the word of God. Herod's making conscience of liis oath, but not of shedding innocent blood : ' The king was sorry : nevertheless, for his oath's sake,' &c., Mat. xiv. 9, he caused John the Baptist to be beheaded. A sinner is holden in bonds which he might lawfully break ; rather than Herod will break his rash oath John shall lose his head. Of such an odd complexion is the conscience of carnal men. So the Jews, when Judas laid down the hire of his
16 THE PREFERENCE OF DUTIES : [MaT. IX. 13.