Are you in earnest, then, not to be any
more a hypocrite and to know the infallible marks of such? Ask the key
of your closet door. Ask the chair at your bedside. Ask the watchman
what you were doing and why your light was in so long. Ask the birds of
the air and the beasts of the field and the crows on the ploughed lands
after your solitary walk.
Almost a better test of true and false religion than even secret prayer,
but a test that is far more difficult to handle, is our opinion of
ourselves. In His last analysis of the truly justified man and the truly
reprobate, our Lord made the deepest test to be their opinion of
themselves. 'God, I thank Thee that I am not as this publican,' said the
hypocrite. 'God be merciful to me a sinner,' said the true penitent. And
then this fine principle comes in here--not only to speed the sure
sanctification of a true Christian, but also, if he has skill and courage
to use it, for his assurance and comfort,--that the saintlier he becomes
and the riper for glory, the more he will beat his breast over what yet
abides within his breast.
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