In view of these facts--that so much may depend upon any decision we make, and that it is absolutely concealed from us _which_ decisions are final and irrevocable--what is it that, as wise men, it becomes us to do? +1. Let us settle each question that is put before us in the spirit of righteousness.+ Always let us ask only, What is _right?_ (1.) This is the only path of _safety._ (2.) By this path _heroism_ is reached, and _world-wide influence_ may be reached. We think of Moses (Heb. xi. 24-27), of the Apostles (Acts iv. 19, 20), and of Luther before the Diet of Worms, as heroes; but _they_ had no such thought--their only thought was that of fidelity to duty; and it is thus only that true heroism can be reached (P. D. 1189). +2. Let us day by day commit ourselves to the guidance of God,+ praying Him to strengthen our conscience, to sanctify our desires, and so to "work in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure." IRRELIGIOUS PIETY. vii. 12. _But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord._ Ahaz here poses as a better man than the prophet. He refuses to follow the direction which Isaiah has given him, and refuses, because he alleges, to do so would be wrong. His disregard of what he knows to be a Divine direction, he covers by an appeal to a general principle which God has been pleased to give for our guidance (Deut. vi. 16). Thus he sought to silence the reproaches of conscience within, and of good men without. We may take him as the representative of that large class of persons who for their actions assign reasons that really are not their governing motives, and cover wrong actions by what appear to be cloaks of righteousness, but really are cloaks of hypocrisy.