The enmity of the carnal mind is wont to hide itself by imitating
the outward forms of the kingdom of God. The grace of God subduing
the heart to Christ is the sign of the birth from above.
The drunkard and the thief are evidently in the broad road that
leadeth to destruction. The Pharisee seems to tread the narrow
way, yet does but keep the clean side of the broad road.
All who build their hope of eternal life on their prayers, reading
the Scriptures, and other outward works of righteousness, come
short of the rest that is in Christ, and the salvation that is
in Him. The sinner's hands must be emptied of all such recommendations:
it is with his poverty, and his poverty only, that he must come
to the crucified Son of God.
The sinner that comes with his own good works to God for eternal
life, is a debtor who brings a bag of base coin of his own forging,
to pay his creditor withal.
The good works of the flesh, though so well-pleasing to the carnal
mind, tested by God's justice, are at the King's mint adjudged
base coin.