A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

On the other side, let us consider of the manifold evils which do accompany an heart that is polluted and defiled with sin; for it maketh ¹all appearances of graces, though never so excellent, to be nothing less in truth, and but sole semblances and shows, wherein is nothing but mere hypocrisy. Our humiliation, like Ahab's, which was not in the heart, but only in the outward habit; and like the Israelites, who hanged down their heads like a bulrush, and afflicted their souls, only in the ²day of their fast, their hearts remaining full of pride and cruelty. Our zeal, like Jehu's, who destroyed Idolatry, to build up his own kingdom. ³Our obedience, like Herod's, which was but to the halves, and only so far as would stand with his carnal lusts. Our profession and following Christ, like that of Judas, which was no further then he saw it would stand ⁴with his ambition and covetousness. Our bounty, in the works of mercy, like that of Ananias, which was to be praised of men, and not to be approved of God. It maketh our prayers unacceptable to God; for if we regard wickedness in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us. It polluteth all