may be, let us see to it that they are real, genuine, and sincere. Let us abhor the very idea of part-acting and mask-wearing in our Christianity. At any rate let us be thorough. It is a striking fact that the very first piece of armour which St. Paul recommends to the Christian soldier is "truth." " Stand therefore," he sayis, "Haying your loins girt about with truth." (Eph. vi. 10.)
Let us observe, lastly, in this passage, that there will be degrees of condemnation and misery in hell. The words of our Lord are distinct and express. He says of those who live and die hypocrites, "the same shall receive greater damnation."
The subject opened up in these words is a deeply painful one. The reality and eternity of future punishment are among the great foundation truths of revealed religion, which it is hard to think upon without a shudder. But it is well to have all that the Bible teaches about heaven and hell firmly fixed on our minds. The Bible teaches distinctly that there will be degrees of glory in heaven. It teaches with no less distinctness both here and else- where, that there will be degrees of misery in hell.
Who, after all, are they who will finally receive con- demnation ? This is the practical point that concerns us most. All who will not come to Christ, — all who know not God and obey not the Gospel, — all who refuse to repent and go on still in wickedness, all such will be finally condemned. They will reap according as they have sown. God willeth not their eternal ruin. But if they ipvill not hear His voice, they must die in their sins.
But who among those who are condemned will receive tlie heaviest condemnation P It will not fall on heathens