allow its presence in themselves. Seldom will a man be found, however wicked, who does not secretly flattei: himself that there is somebody else worse than he is. Seldom will a saint be found who is not at seasons tempted to be satisfied and pleased with himself. There is such a thing as a pride which wears the cloak of humility. There is not a heart upon earth which does not contain a piece of the Pharisee's character.
To give up self-righteousness is absolutely needful to salvation. He that desires to be saved must confess that there is no good thing in him, and that he has no merit, no goodness, no worthiness of his own. He must be willing to renounce his own righteousness, and to trust in the righteousness of another, even Christ the Lord. Once pardoned and forgiven, we must travel the daily journey of life under a deep conviction that we are " un- profitable servants." At our best we only do our duty, and have nothing to boast of. And even when we do our duty, it is not by our own power and might that we do it, but by the strength which is given to us from God. Claim upon God we have none. Right to expect any- thing from God we have none. Worthiness to deserve anything from God we have none. All that we have we have received. All that we are we owe to God's sove- reign, distinguishing grace.
What is the true cause of self- righteousness ? How is it that such a poor, weak, erring creature as man can ever dream of deserving anything at God's hands P It all arises from ignorance. The eyes of our understand- ings are naturally blinded. We see neither ourselves, nor our lives, nor God, nor the law of God, as we ought.