2. _Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them._ The thing which is here forbidden, is not, barely the doing good in the sight of men: this circumstance alone, that others see what we do, makes the action neither worse nor better: but the doing it before men, _to be seen of them_; with this view, from this intention only. I say, from _this intention only_; for this may, in some cases, be a part of our intention; we may design that some of our actions should be seen, and yet they may be acceptable to God. We may intend, that our _light should shine before men_, when our conscience bears us witness, in the Holy Ghost, that our ultimate end in designing they should _see our good works_, is, _That they may glorify our Father which is in heaven_. But take heed that ye do not the least thing with a view to your own glory. Take heed that a regard to the praise of men, have no place at all in your works of mercy. If ye seek your own glory, if you have any design to gain the honour that cometh of men, whatever is done with this view is nothing worth: it is not done unto the Lord: he accepteth it not; _ye have no reward_ for this _of your Father which is in heaven_. 3. _Therefore when thou dost thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have praise of men._ The word _synagogue_ does not here mean, a place of worship, but any place of public resort, such as the market-place or exchange. It was a common thing among the _Jews_, who were men of large fortunes, particularly among the Pharisees, to cause a trumpet to be sounded before them in the most public parts of the city, when they were about to give any considerable alms. The pretended reason for this was, to call the poor together to receive it: but the real design, that they might have praise of men. But be not thou like unto them. Do not thou cause a trumpet to be sounded before thee. Use no ostentation in doing good. Aim at the honour which cometh of God only. _They_ who seek the praise of men, _have their reward_. They shall have no praise of God.