Not seeking praise

Let us beware of mocking God, of turning our fast as well as our prayer into an abomination unto the Lord, by the mixture of any temporal view, particularly, by seeking the praise of men. Against this our blessed Lord more peculiarly guards us, in the words of the text. Moreover, when ye fast, be ye not as the hypocrites (such were too many who were called the people of God) of a sad countenance; sour, affectedly sad, putting their looks into a peculiar form. For they disfigure their faces, not only by unnatural distortions, but also by covering them with dust and ashes――That they may appear unto men to fast. This is their chief, if not only design. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward; even the admiration and praise of men. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face. Do as thou art accustomed to do at other times――That thou appear not unto men to fast, (let this be no part of thy intention: if they know it without any desire of thine, it matters not, thou art neither the better nor the worse) but unto thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.