The peril of the times displayed. Or The danger of mens taking up with…

4. When they use the pretensions of Godliness for a Cloak to cover their iniquity; though they talk of Godliness, yet they have perverse designs to hide under it. This was a thing which our Saviour charged heavily on the Scribes and Pharisees, Mat. 23.14. they devour Widows houses, and for a pretence, make long Prayers. When Jezebel had a design to perpetrate an horrible Murder, she directs to the calling of a Fast for an introduction to it, 1 Kings 21.9. and how many are there who can pray and confess their sins, and then sin upon a new score; and it may be then to their confessions and prayers again, and ⟨p. 32⟩so in a round? What pretences had that Harlot for her insinuations into the Simple Young man? Prov. 7.14. I have peace offerings with me, this day I have payed my vows; and herein the Ungodliness of those Jews is deciphered by the Prophet, Jer. 7.9, 10. Steal, Murder, &c. and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say we are delivered to do all these abominations. What is this but to make Godliness a shelter for impiety, than which what greater contradiction can there be?

4. When they use the pretensions of Godliness for a Cloak to cover their iniquity; though they talk of Godliness, yet they have perverse designs to hide under it. This was a thing which our Saviour charged heavily on the Scribes and Pharisees, Mat. 23.14. they devour Widows houses, and for a pretence, make long Prayers. When Jezebel had a design to perpetrate an horrible Murther, she directs to the calling of a Fast for an introduction to it, 1 Kings 21.9. and how many are there who can pray and confess their sins, and then sin upon a new score; and it may be then to their confessions and prayers again, and ⟨p. 32⟩