ties, and shake the head at them,. as filly, contemptible, felf-conceited fellows and his heart may rife against their diforder, tautologies and affectations: And its like enough, that hereupon he will jeaft at conceived prayer, or extemporate (as they call it) and blefs himself as fafe in his Parrot-likedevotions, because the fame fpirit teacheth not fine words, and rhetorical language, to all that it teacheth to pray with unutterable fighs and groans, Rom. 8. 26, 27.. though the fearcher of hearts (who is not delighted with complements and fet fpeeches) doth well underftand the meaning of the Spirit. 5.The felf-deceiving Hypocrite doth frequently pretend to be a man of moderation in matters of Religion, as diftafting the hairbraind zealots,as he counteth them, that cannot be content tohave their faith and Religion to themselves be fore fore God, and to live and talk as others do, but must be fingular, and make a ftir with their Religion, and turn the world upfide down. The true zeal of the godly is ufually diftaftefull to him; and the corrupt zeal of Schifmatical per. fons, doth cause him to blefs himself in his lukewarmnefs, and to take his moft odious indifferency, and want of fervent love to God and his holy ways to be his vertue. 6.This felf-deceiving Hypocrite doth frequently pretend to an exceeding great Reverence in the managing of the outward part of worship; and to an extraordinary zeal about the Circumftantials of Religion, He accounts them all fchifmatical and prophane, that place not as much of their Religion as he doth, in geftures and forms, and other accidents of worship, acquainting us that the Pharifaical temper in religion is natural, and will still continue in the world. 7. If the temptation of the Hypocrite lie on the other fide, he can withdraw himself into fome (mall or feparating fociety, and place his Religion in the fingularity of his opinions, or in the ftrictness of and party that he owneth; the way and in his conceited ability in his conceived or ready expreffions in prayer, and can cry out as much upon the Formalift, as the Formal Hypocrite upon him and glory in his zeal, as the other in his mo deration. It is in the Heart that Hypocrifie hath its throne; from whence it can command the outward acts into any shapes that are agreeable to its ends: and can use materials of divers natures, as the fewell and nutriment of its malignity.And what ever party fuch are joined to,and what ever way they have been trained up to, whether Formality, or fchifm, or more re gular, gular, fober, equal wayes, in all of them their Religion is but Vain,and they do but deceive themfelvs by all. 8. The Religion that is but delufory and Vain, may be accompanied with much Alms, and works of feeming Justice, and Charity, Mat. 6. 1, 2. Luke 18. 11, 12. He may have many vertues called moral, and be a man of much esteem with others, even with the best and wisest, for his feeming Wifdom, and piety, and juftice. He may be no extortioner, unjust, adulterer, but as to grofs fins feem blameless, Luke 18. 11, 12. Phil. 3. 6. and be much in reproaching the fcandalous lives of others,and thank God that he is none fuch, Luke 18. 11. 9. He that hath but a vain Religion, may in his judgement approve of faving grace, and like the more zealous, upright, felf-denying, heavenly lives of others and with that he might but die their death; and with himself as happy as they, fo it might be had on his own terms: And he may have fome counterfeit of every grace; and think that it is true. Numb. 23.10. Jam. 2. 14, &c. 1 Cor. 13. 1, 2,3. Mark 6.20. 10. None will be more forward to call another Hypocrite, then the Hypocrite: nor to extoll fincerity and uprightness of heart and life. And thus you fee what this Vain Religion is made up with.. I 2. IF you marvell what the Hypocrite yet wants, that makes his Religion delufory and Vain,1 fhall now tell you I hope to your conviction and fatisfaction.. 1. For all his forementioned Religion,he wants the Spirit of Chrift, to dwell as his fanctifier within him; And if any man have not the |