§. 14. It pleased God to make the particular Precepts (about Worship and Political Converse) ⟨p. 135⟩so many, and the Sacrifices so Costly, and the Penalties so Severe, as that it became a very operous Employment to do1 the External Acts of it; which the People made a Snare of to themselves: For, 1. Thereby they were so taken up with the outward Work, that they neglected the inward spiritual exercises of the Soul, without which all the rest are dead and carnal things. 2. And they hereby grew into so high a conceit with the Letter of the Law it self, and these External Duties, as that they thought the very doing of them was enough to make them just and acceptable to God, and forgot the true Doctrine of the Promised Messiah, and Righteousness by him. 3. And hereby they grew Proud as if they had for these Externals, been so much better than all other People, that all the World was Abominable save they. 4. And they were so intent on the present Political Punishments to be escaped or suffered, and Rewards to be won or lost, that they much overlooked the everlasting Punishments and Rewards: And this Corruption increased till Christ came to Cure it; who found the Sadducees not believing a Life to come, and the Pharisees deceived by their External Legal Works and Righteousness, and most of the People too, ignorant of the true Spiritual Righteousness required by the Law it self.
§. 14. It pleased God to make the particular Precepts (about Worship and Political Converse) ⟨p. 135⟩so many, and the Sacrifices so Costly, and the Penalties so Severe, as that it became a very operous Employment to do1 the External Acts of it; which the People made a Snare of to themselves: For, 1. Thereby they were so taken up with the outward Work, that they neglected the inward spiritual exercises of the Soul, without which all the rest are dead and carnal things. 2. And they hereby grew into so high a conceit with the Letter of the Law it self, and these External Duties, as that they thought the very doing of them was enough to make them just and acceptable to God, and forgot the true Doctrine of the Promised Messiah, and Righteousness by him. 3. And hereby they grew Proud as if they had for these Externals, been so much better than all other People, that all the World was Abominable save they. 4. And they were so intent on the present Political Punishments to be escaped or suffered, and Rewards to be won or lost, that they much overlook'd the everlasting Punishments and Rewards: And this Corruption increased till Christ came to Cure it; who found the S•ducees not believing a Life to come, and the Pharise•s deceived by their External Legal Works and Righteousness, and most of the People too, ignorant of the true Spiritual Righteousness required by the Law it self.
- 1Acts 15. 10. Gal. 5. 1. & Rom. 7. & 8. 3, 4. Gal. 3. & 4. & 5. Heb. 7. & 10. Rom. 3. & 4. & 5. Mat. 5.
