Judging Yourself   “Acquaint yourselves with those marks that are proper only to a true Christian.  Overlook all those that are common with hypocrites, such as outward profession, constant attendances, some affections in duties.  Let us not judge ourselves by outward acts:  A player is not a prince, because he acts the part of a prince.  But we must judge ourselves by what we are in our retirements, in our hearts.  He only is a good man, and does good, that does it from a principle of goodness within, and not from fear of Laws, or to gain a good opinion in the world…  The great accusation the devil brings against Job was that he served not God for naught, that his service was not sincere, that he acted a righteous part for his own ends, and to preserve his worldly prosperity (Job 1:9,10).  But if our ends be right, and our actions in the course of them according to His rule, if our hearts in them respect God’s Law, and His glory, how the devils arrows will drop down, as shot against a brazen wall.”      -- Stephen Charnock (1628-1680)