Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/415

 always unsteady  and  prone  to  evil,  into  a multitude  of  sins  and vices. They, indeed,  still  worshipped  the  true  God  ; but  it  was only with  their  lips,  and  their  hearts  were  far  from  Him.



Their chief  care  consisted in the  outward  observance  of the  law;  the  inward  disposition and purity  of  heart  they  neglected. Whatever good  there might be  among  the  Jews was stifled by  the  sect  of  the  hypocritical Pharisees,  or  of  the  unbelieving  Sadducees ; and  these  two sects, although  mortal  enemies  of  each  other,  exercised  a great power over  the  people. Throughout the  rest  of  the  world  idolatry reigned supreme,  and  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  were  sunk  in misery  and  corruption.

The few  just  men  who  were  scattered  here  and  there among the  different  races  sighed  for  the  coming  of  the  promised