Confession, self-abasement has characterized not prophets and apostles only, but the elect of God in every age of the Church. “I,” said St. Paul, “am the chief of sinners.” “I,” said David, “was as a beast before Thee.” “I,” said Ezra, “am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to Thee, O my God;” and so certainly does a man grow humbler as he grows holier. It is with self-esteem as with the column of mercury in the tube of a barometer—the higher we ascend, it sinks the lower. What more striking illustration than that of Heaven itself affords? There, purified from all conceit and pride, perfect both in humility and in holiness, the saints, as if unworthy to wear on their heads wn&t Jesus won on His cross, cast their crowns at His feet.— GUTHRIE.
