our subject is peculiarly applicable, and for whose benefit we are desirous to improve it, is that class of hearers who come short of the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.
Many there are, it is to be feared, who, so far from " not being as other men are," cannot at all be distin- guished from the generality of those around them : who, instead of " fasting twice a week," have never fasted twice, nor even once, in their whole lives, for the purpose of devoting themselves more solemnly to God : who, instead of " making long prayers," never pray at all, or only in so slight, cursory, and formal a manner, as to shew that they have no pleasure in that holy exercise. Instead of keeping holy the sabbath- day, they *^ speak their own words, do their own work, and find their own pleasure," almost as much as on other days ; or if, for decency's sake, they impose a little restraint upon themselves, they find it the most wearisome day of all the seven. Instead of paying tithes with scrupulous exactness, they will withhold the payment both of tithes and taxes, if they can do it without danger of detection ; thus shewing, that they have not even a principle of honesty to " render unto Cassar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Perhaps they may now and then give away somewhat in charity ; but they do not consecrate a portion of their income to God as a religious act, nor even account it their duty so to do, notwithstanding " every man" is expressly commanded to " lay by him in store for charitable uses, according as God has prospered him." Instead of being able to appeal to God that they have never been guilty of whoredom or adultery, they stand condemned for one, or both, of these things in their own consciences ; or, if they do not, their chastity has proceeded from other causes, than either the fear of God, or the hatred of sin. Instead of honouring religion in the world, they have been ashamed of it, yea perhaps despised it, and held up to scorn and ridicule those who were its most distinguished ad- vocates : thus, so far from labouring to proselyte