John Trapp on Proverbs 21:3

Verſ. 3. Is more acceptable to the Lord] Qui non vult ex rapina holocauſtum, as Heathens could ſee and ſay, by the light of Nature. The Jewes thought to expiate their miſcarriages toward men, and to ſet off with God, by their Ceremonies and Sacrifices, Iſa. 1. Jer. 7. Mich. 6. Some Heathens alſo (as that Roman Emperour) could ſay, Non ſic Deos coluimus ut ille nos vinceret, Wee have not been at ſo much charge with the gods, that they ſhould give us up into the enemies hands. But the Scripture gave the Jewes to underſtand, that to obey was better than ſacrifice, that God would have mercy and not ſacrifice, and that for a man to love God above all, and his Neighbour as himſelf, is more than all whole Burnt-offerings and ſacrifices, Mar. 12.33. The Heathens alſo were told as much by their Sages, as Plato in his book intituled, [non-Latin text not transcribed]: where Socrates reprehending the gilt-horned Bulls of the Grecians, and the ſumptuous ſacrifices of the Trojans, at length infers: [non-Latin text not transcribed], &c. It were a grievous thing if the gods ſhould more reſpect mens offerings and Sacrifices than the holineſs of their hearts, and the righteouſneſs of their lives, &c. Ariſtotle in his Rhetoricks, [non-Latin text not transcribed], &c. ſaith he: It is not likely that God takes pleaſure in the coſtlineſs of ſacrifices, but rather in the good converſation of the ſacrificers.