Luke ix. 55. Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of
WHEN we consider what attainments men have made in science and philosophy ; when we see them marshalling the stars, measuring their distances, tracing their courses, and ascertaining their influ- ence, we are amazed at the strength of human intel- lect. But when we turn our eyes to their spiritual attainments, and inquire into their knowledge of their own hearts, we are altogether as much astonished at the extreme ignorance which they betray. Even godly persons have but very limited and partial views of their own principles of action. The very Apostles, who had long enjoyed the instructions of Christ himself, shewed on many occasions an unbecoming spirit, while they supposed themselves actuated by the best motives. One instance in particular we have before us, where, under- a cloke of zeal for their Master's honour, they would have called down fire from heaven upon a whole village. Our Lord,
however, rebuked them in the words we have now read; from whence we shall inquire,
I. Whence is it that men are so liable to self-deception ? It is manifest, beyond a doubt, that many know not what spirit they are of —
[The various classes of Ungodly men are universally labour- ing under self-deception. However they neglect every duty, or violate every commandment, they persuade themselves that, on the whole, they have good hearts ; nor have they the smallest conception that they are " haters of Goda." Even the proud persecutor, so far from accounting himself an enemy to God, will imagine that he is doing God service, while he is opposing to the utmost the Redeemer's kingdom b.
Nor are the godly themselves exempt from similar delusions, though they are influenced by them in a less degree. The zealous are sometimes inflamed with an unhallowed firec; and the timid induced to temporize*1. The confident will resolve, when they should rather pray for strength e; and the faithless will harbour fears, when they should rather be enjoying their security f.]
This propensity to self-deception is not hard to be accounted for —
1. There is a close affinity between good and evil — [Good and evil are in their own nature as opposite as light
and darkness: but, through the imperfection of our knowledge, they appear very nearly allied. Indifference assumes the garb of candour : worldliness is dignified by the name of honest industry : the fear of man puts on the mask of prudence : a vindictive spirit passes for a nice sense of honour. There is scarcely any other disposition, however sinful, which does not assume the name of some corresponding virtue, and thus con- ceal at least its own malignity, or perhaps obtrude itself upon the world as amiable and praise-worthy. Hence there arises a great difficulty in distinguishing between the good and the evil that there is in our own actions, since the very same thing may be either good or evil, according to the principles from whence it proceeds, and to the time, manner, or degree in which it is carried into execution.]
2. There is a backwardness in man to search out the evil that is in him —
a Rom. i. 30. and viii. 7. Col. i. 21. b John xvi. 2. Acts xxvi. 9.
c ver. 54. And many, actuated by vanity, too much resemble Jehu: 2 Kings x. 16.
d Gal. ii. 12. e Matt. xxvi. 35. f Matt. viii. 26.