Vol. 2

—182 ST. MARK.Sect. II.God and Cesar," 13. 51 And they send unto him certain of thePharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him inwords."The worldly-minded, and the great pretenders tohisdevotion, do but too often combine together againstthe truth. It is very common for those who canno longer hold out against the force of truth, to makeuse, in order to silence the defenders of it, of suchas have great credit and reputation in the world,either by reason of their profession of piety, or oftheir authority." 14. And when they were come, they say untohim. Master, we know that thou art true, and carestfor no man; for thou regardest not the person ofmen, but teachest the way of God in truth : Is itlawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not? 15. Shallwe give, or shall we not give ?"The hypocrisy of these men causes them to makeuse of truth itself in order to destroy it; and truthmakes use of their own words, to confound them.Praise is a very dangerous snare. It is a virtue topraise good men, when it is done without any prejudiceto truth, and when the intention is good : butitis no other than flattery, when praise, though everso well-grounded, is given with an ill design. Generosityand zeal are virtues, which are essential in aminister of Christ :but for such a one to value himselfon the account of his zeal and generosity, is adangerous vice, which may spoil all his other virtues.It is not sufficient for a man " to teach the way ofGod in truth," but he must do it likewise in charity