for thy sins, and smiting on thy breast, like the repenting Publi- can, and fleeing to Christ as the manslayer to the city of Refuge ? When did he ever hear thee adoring and magnifying him for the exceeding riches of his grace in Christ Jesus ? Know that He can discern between true and false religion, whether thou canst or not ; and that it is " not he who commendeth himself, that shall be approved in the judgment, but he whom the Lord com- mendeth."
But of all self-deceiving people, there are none who have so much reason to tremble at the idea of God's omniscience as the false and hypocritical professor. True, if there were ten thou- sand of this complexion present, not one would apply the title to himself, or suppose himself to be comprehended under this head. Yet are there many such in the Church of God ; many, whose religion consists in hearing and talking about the Gospel, rather than in exercising the spirit it inculcates. If a zeal about certain tenets, or running to hear sermons, or putting themselves for- ward in religious meetings, or sitting in judgment upon others who are not of their party, if this were religion, they would be very eminent : but if religion consist in humility of mind, in meekness and lowliness of heart, in patience and forbearance towards those who differ from them, in a diligent attention to the duties of their place and station, and in a secret walk with God, they will be found most awfully wanting in them all. Alas ! the religion of many makes them not a whit more amiable and lovely in their dispositions and habits, than if they had never heard of *' the example of Christ :" on the contrary, their pride, and con- ceit, and forwardness, and presumption, render them ten-fold more disgusting both to God and man, than if they made no pro- fession of religion at all. When such persons come into the presence of their God at the last day, what testimony will they receive from the heart-searching God but this, that " they had a name to live, and were dead;" and that whilst " they said that they were Jews, they lied, and were in reality of the synagogue of Satan?" Yes; "their excellency may mount up to the heavens ; but they shall perish like their own dung ; and they that have seen them shall with surprise and grief exclaim, " Where are they^?"
The confidence which any of these classes may profess only binds upon them the more strongly the fetters they have forged for themselves, and insures more certainly their everlasting ruin ^]
2. That many who are low in the estimation both of themselves and others, shall receive at last from God himself a glorious testimony in their behalf — [Many there are of the Lord's " hidden ones," who have
been « Job XX. 4—7. ' Prov. xxi. 2. & Ps. 1. 21.
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