True Sanctity
Matthew 15:7-9
You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,…


I. True sanctity consists not in THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD and religion, however extensive, however just and perspicuous it may be. Although that knowledge may be necessary to sanctity, it is not, however, competent to it; and though it constitutes the basis of it, yet it is no more sanctity itself than the foundation of an edifice is the edifice itself.

II. Neither does true sanctity consist in A FURIOUS ZEAL FOR THE KNOWN TRUTH, or for the honour and glory of that religion which we profess.

III. Neither does true sanctity consist in the diligent or STRICT ATTENDANCE ON THE RITES AND CEREMONIES which religion prescribes; nor in the observance, nor in the multiplication of the devotional exercises to which it advises its professors; nor in voluntary penances and mortifications, which they impose upon themselves.

IV. Neither does true sanctity consist in our occasionally OMITTING SOMETHING WHICH GOD HAS FORBIDDEN US, OR DOING SOMETHING WHICH HE HAS COMMANDED US; nor in our occasionally performing single good actions, whether of justice or beneficence, or of abstinence. True sanctity is a reigning, constantly active, disposition and. bent of the soul, manifesting itself in the several parts of our inward and outward conduct, and making us always willing and ready to do what, and nothing else but what, is agreeable to God, and correspondent to His will.

(Zollikofer.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

WEB: You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,




The Vanity of Human Institution in Religion
Top of Page
Top of Page