26. And yet doth not our _pride_, even the pride of those whose soul _cleaves to the dust, testify against us_? Are _they_ not _wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own conceit_? Have not writers of our own remarked, that there is not upon earth a more _self-conceited_ nation than the _English_; more ♦opinionated both of their own _national_ and _personal_ wisdom, and courage, and strength? And indeed, if we may judge by the inhabitants of _London_, this is evident to a demonstration: for, are not the very meanest of them able to instruct both the king and all his counsellors? What cobler in _London_ is not wiser than the principal Secretary of State? What coffee-house disputer is not an abler divine than his Grace of _Canterbury_? And how deep a contempt of others is joined with this high opinion of ourselves? I know not whether the people of all nations are greater masters of dissimulation; but there does not _appear_ in any nation whatever, such a proneness to despise their neighbour: to despise not foreigners only (near two thousand years ago they remarked _Britannos hospitibus feros_) but their own countrymen; and that very often for such surprising reasons, as nothing but undeniable fact could make credible. How often does the gentleman in his coach despise those _dirty fellows that go a foot_? And these, on the other hand, despise full as much those _lazy fellows that loll in their coaches_? No wonder then that those who have the _form of godliness_ should despise them that have not: that the saint of the world so frequently says to the ♠gross sinner, in effect, if not in terms, _Stand by thyself; come not near unto me; for I am holier than thou_! ♦ “opiniated” replaced with “opinionated” ♠ “goss” replaced with “gross” 27. Yet what kind of holiness is this? May not God justly declare of us also, _This people draw near me with their mouth, but they have removed their hearts far from me. They do but flatter me with their mouth, and dissemble with me in their tongue._ Is it not so with _you_? When you speak to God, do your lips and your heart go together? Do you not often utter words by which you mean just nothing? Do not you say and unsay? Or, say one thing to God, and another to man? For instance, you say to God, _Vouchsafe O Lord, to keep me this day without sin_. But you say to man, this cannot be done; it is all folly and madness to expect it. You ask of God, that you _may perfectly love him, and worthily magnify his holy name_: but you tell man, there is no _perfect love_ upon earth; it is only a madman’s dream. You pray God, to _cleanse the thoughts of your heart, by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit_. But you assure your neighbour, there is no such thing as _inspiration_ now, and that none pretend to it but _enthusiasts_. What gross _hypocrisy_ is this! Surely you think, there is no _knowledge in the Most High. O be not deceived_, God _is not mocked. But whatsoever ye sow, that also shall ye reap!_