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The third reason may be this, that without this study and indeuour to serue the Lord in the duties of a godly life, all outward exercises of Reli∣gion are vaine and vnprofitable, as the hearing and reading of the Word, the receiuing of the Sacraments, Prayer, Fasting, profession of Religion, and the rest, seeing they cannot please God, yea, are odious vnto him; nor
profit vs, nor we take profit by them. Thus the Lord professeth, that hee abhorred their new Moones and solemne feasts, their Sacrifices and Obla∣tions, because they neglected the workes of righteousnesse, and liued in their sinnes. That he who killed an Oxe, was as he that slew a man, he that sa∣crificed a Lambe, as if he cut off a Dogs head, &c. because their liues were not reformed, but their soules delighted in their abominations. So when the people reiected Gods Law, and thought to haue pleased him with Obla∣tions, and (as it were) to haue stopped his mouth with bribes, the Lord reiecteth their seruice as vaine and vnprofitable. To what purpose (saith he) commeth there to me incense from Sheba? and the sweet cane from a farre Coun∣trey? your offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet vnto me. Thus the Lord reiecteth their solemne feasts, because they were not ioyned with the workes of Iustice and mercy. So Salomon telleth vs, that the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the vpright is his de∣light. And Dauid saith, that if he did regard wickednesse in his heart, the Lord would not heare him. Whereas in other places hee telleth vs, that the righ∣teous cry, and the Lord heareth them, and deliuereth them out of all their troubles.
Esa. 1. 11, 12, 13, 14.
Esa. 66. 3.
Ier. 6. 20. & 7. 22, 23.
Esa. 8. 4, 5.
Pro. 15. 8.
Psal. 66. 18.
Psal. 34. 17, 18.