The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

5. Philosophy is very defective, in not propounding the Glory of God, as the end to which all our actions should finally refer. This should have the first and chief place in that Practical Science: For every Action receiving its specification and value from its End, that which is the Supreme and common to all Actions, must be sixth before we come to the particular and subordinate; and that is the Glory of God. Now the design of Philosophers in their Precepts, was either.

5. Philosophy is very defective, in not propounding the Glory of God, as the end to which all our actions should finally refer. This should have the first and chief place in that Practical Science: For every Action receiving its specification and value from its End, that which is the Supreme and common to all Actions, must be fixt before we come to the particular and subordinate; and that is the Glory of God. Now the design of Philosophers in their Precepts, was either.

First,¹ To use Virtue as the means to obtain Reputation and Honour in the World. This was evident in their Books and Actions. They were sick of self-love, and did many things to satisfy the Eye. They led their lives as in a Scene, where one person is within, and another is represented without, by an Artificial imitation of what is true. They were swelled with presumption, having little merit, and a great deal of vanity. Now this respect to the Opinion of others, corrupts the intention, and vitiates the action. 'Tis not sincere Virtue, but a superficial appearance that is regarded. For 'tis sufficient to that purpose, to seem to be virtuous without being so. As a proud person would rather wear counterfeit Pearls that are esteemed right, then right which are esteemed counterfeit.² So one that is vain-glorious prefers the reputation of being virtuous, before real Virtue. From hence we may discover that many of their most specious Actions were disguised Sins, their Virtues ⟨p. 348⟩