Nevertheless, there is a sort of left-handed reason in
that argument. For a man has no more right to make himself out worse
than he is, than he has to make himself out better than he is. A man
should confess to being just what he is, neither more nor less.
Nevertheless, he who humbles himself shall be exalted.
Of course I do not mean those who, like some I know, make a fawning
humble way of talking a cloak for their own self-conceit; who call
themselves miserable sinners all the time that they are fancying that
they are almost the only people in the world who are sure of being
saved, whatever they do; who, as some do, actually pride themselves
on their own convictions of sin, and glory in their own shame, and
despise those who will not slander themselves as they do.
They are equally hateful to God and to God's enemies. If you and I
are disgusted at such hypocritical self-conceit, be sure the Lord
Jesus is far more pained at it than we are; for as a wise man says:
"The devil's darling sin is the pride that apes humility."
But let a man really be convinced of sin; let a man really believe in
the Lord Jesus Christ's atonement; let a man really believe in the
Holy Spirit; and that man will have little need to ask why he should
humble himself more than he deserves, and little wish to boast of
himself, and push himself forward, and get praise, or riches, or
power in the world.
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