what a different light they are viewed by " God, who knoweth their hearts; in whose sight that which is highly esteemed amongst men is not unfrequently an utter abomination d." Very different is the standard by which he estimates them, from that by which they estimate themselves. The things for which he looks are, a tenderness of spirit, a lowliness of mind, a broken- ness of heart, a deep self-lothing and self-abhorrence ; not one atom of which has he ever seen in these self-applauding Phari- sees. Say, thou formal moralist, when did the heart-searching God ever see thee weeping for thy sins, and smiting on thy breast, Hke the repenting publican, 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 commendeth."
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 thousand 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 put- ting themselves forward 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 conceit, and forward- ness, and presumption, render them ten-fold more disgusting both to God and man, than if they made no profession of reli- gion 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 theye?" d Luke xvi. 15. e Job xx. 4 — 7.