_2dly_, He did it at the peril of his life; and hereby discovered, that he had rather be cast into the den of lions, than give occasion to any to think that he complied with the king in his idolatrous decree. _3dly_, Though it is said, that _he prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did_ aforetime; yet this is not to be understood as though he set open his windows aforetime; so that his praying publicly at this time, was to shew that he was neither ashamed, nor afraid to own his God, whatever it cost him; therefore he was so far from being guilty of hypocrisy, that this is one of the most noble instances of zeal for the worship of the true God, that we find recorded in scripture. [2.] Hypocrisy is a reigning sin when we boast of the high attainments in gifts or grace, or set too great a value on ourselves, because of the performance of some religious duties, while we neglect others, wherein the principal part of true godliness consists. Thus the Pharisee _paid tithe of mint, annise, and cummin_, while he _omitted the weightier matters of the law; judgment, mercy and faith_, chap. xxiii. 23, 24. [3.] It farther consists, in exclaiming against, and censuring others, for lesser faults, while we allow of greater in ourselves; like those whom our Saviour speaks of, who _behold the mote that is in their brother’s eye, but consider not the beam that is in their own_, Matt. vii. 3, 5. or, according to that proverbial way of speaking, _strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel_. These are very fond of exposing the ignorance of others; though they have no experimental, saving knowledge of divine truth in themselves; or they are very forward, to blame the coldness and lukewarmness which they see in some, while at the same time, that zeal which they express in their whole conduct, is rather to advance themselves, than the glory of God. [4.] When persons make a gain of godliness, 1 Tim. vi. 5. or of their pretensions to it. Thus Balaam prophesied for a reward; and accordingly it is said, that he _loved the wages of unrighteousness_, 2 Pet. i. 15. 5. When persons make a profession of religion, because it is uppermost, and are ready to despise and cast it off, when it is reproached, or they are like to suffer for it. Thus the Pharisees, how much soever they seemed to embrace Christ, when attending on John’s ministry; yet afterwards, when they saw that this was contrary to their secular interest, they were _offended in him_, and prejudiced against him; and therefore they say, _Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees, believed on him_, John vii. 48.