2. In their aims —
[These persons would have it supposed that they aim at advancing the honour of their God. But, in fact, there is nothing further from their thoughts than this. Many seek only to maintain a good character before men : and those who are less actuated by worldly applause, yet think of nothing but satisfying their own minds, and forming for themselves some specious ground for self-complacency and self-dependence. But as God said to the Jews by the Prophet Zechariah, " When ye fasted and mourned, did ye at all fast unto me, even unto me ? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves*^?" so must it be said to those whom we have before described : they shew, by their very best services, that they have no view be- yond themselves ; when, if they were really upright before God, they would, " whether they ate or drank, or whatever they did, do all to the glory of God^."]
d Zech. vii. 5, 6. ^ i Cor. x. 31.
3. In the whole of their spirit and conduct —
[They would be thought to possess a Christian spirit : but there are few, if any, in the world more proud, more uncha- ritable, or more intolerant than they. They hold in contempt those who differ from them, whether they be religious or pro- fane : the godly, as possessing an unfashionable and con- temptible rehgion ; and the profane, as destitute of the very appearance of religion. As for those who are living nigh to God in the enjoyment of his presence and in the prospect of his glory, these Pharisaical persons can scarcely endure them. In their sight, all spiritual religion is no other than conceit and vanity and hypocrisy : and those who possess it are deemed " as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things," and, consequently, as worthy of universal reprobation. In every age of the world the mere formalists have thus persecuted the people of God ; and have thus shewn themselves, in the midst of all their pretended zeal for good works, " the children of the devil."]
See, then. Brethren,
1. What need we have to examine our state before God—
[We may be extremely zealous about the impositions and enactments of men, whilst we are adverse to the commands of God : and we may greatly honour God with our lips, whilst our hearts are altogether enmity against him. Then let us judge ourselves by the word of God, and by the examples of the primitive saints: for if in our whole spirit and deportment we be not followers of Christ and of his holy Apostles, what- ever we may think of ourselves, we shall never be accepted of our God.
2. What need we have to rise above the trammels
of a worldly religion —
[We have seen what the religion of carnal professors is : it is no better than hypocrisy; and as such it will be accounted in the last day. Nothing but vital piety will stand the test to which we shall be brought in that day. If, therefore, we be satisfied now with that which satisfies the world, we shall be grievously disappointed. If we will stand before God in the future judgment, " our doctrines" must be such as he has revealed, and our " worship" such as he will approve: for *' not he that commendeth himself shall be approved, but he whom the liord commendeth."] •