from George Petter on Mark 10:20:
"See how many formal hypocrites are now adayes to be found in the Church; in that it is so common a thing with men to rest on outward obedience to the Law and Commandments of God, without care and conscience of the inward. How many are there, who think they keep the Law of God well enough, and are religious enough, if they refrain from outward grosse sins before men? and if they perform some outward duties of Religion towards God, and of charity to men: if they come to Church duly, hear the Word, receive the Sacrament: and not only so, but use prayer in their Families (though this is wholly neglected by a great many): If they have some care of the outward sanctifying of the Sabbath; and if withall they do perform such outward duties of Charity and Justice towards men, as are required in the second Table of the Commandments; then they think all is well, and they rest in this outward conformity to the Law: in the mean time, making no conscience of inward and spiritual obedience to the same, but harbouring gross sins and corruptions in their hearts, both against God and Man. Thus it is with many (if not with the greatest part) of such as bear the name Christians now adayes: which shews, how great is the number of formal and close hypocrites; and how small the number is of sound Christians: and how true it is which the Scripture hath foretold touching these last and dangerous times in which we now live; that man should have an outward form of godliness, denying the inward power and life of it, 2 Tim. 3. Formal hypocrisie is one of the raining sins of these times; the Epidemical disease of Christians; yet fearful and dangerous: to be lamented with a fountain of tears."
preached July 27, 1628. Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy.
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