It may be useful to mention a few instances, in which we may be deceived in our comparative estimate of men. Even with regard to the fundamental principles of religion, to a real belief in the truths of the Bible, to the essentials of a christian character, it is possible that we may form very mistaken opinions concerning many around us. It is true, that insincerity and deceit are commonly, sooner or later, in some degree detected; it is difficult to be always dissimulating, and acting a part; some evil fruit, some inconsistency does generally betray the hollowness of hypocritical pretensions: still however, it is not always so; and doubtless there are some,—out of the number of those persons, whom we are in the habit of considering as equally resting their hopes upon the true foundation, equally believing in Jesus Christ for pardon and salvation, equally zealous in the maintenance of His holy religion and attentive to the ordinances,—some there are, who differ materially from others, in the unerring judgment of God. They may repair to the same place of worship, perhaps with the same degree of regularity, but with very different views and impressions: we can judge only of the outward appearance, of the posture of the body or the moving of the lips; it is for the Lord to look upon the posture of the soul and the offering of the heart. Many, no question, come to the House of God from very unworthy motives and for very unworthy purposes; and frequently they do not escape the observance of _man_; but _man_ cannot penetrate into the case of every individual; to the eye of Jehovah alone are “all things naked and open;” He sees and judges, _who_ come unto Him in humble faith; who approach His tabernacle is a pious frame and temper, with holy affections, with integrity of heart; who “worship Him in spirit and in truth.” My brethren, it is an awful consideration: but from the same Church, the same christian society, the same assembly of worshippers, “one shall be taken and another left.”