DE OFFICIO

is frequently hindered by love of ourselves, and becomes much more lax than it ought to be; the second relies more on conjectures than on true and certain arguments, and often fails; the third alone is certain, and true, and full, and proper to God alone: Paul leads the evangelical herald from the lowest, as if by steps, to that highest and perfect one, so that he may study to be truly honest. And by this very fact he shows that a grave adversary is established and prepared by whom he may be examined: not a popular scale, but a censorious and grave examination, by which it is necessary that, as if weighed by equal scales, he be moved to no side. For whether he thinks he can obtain the reward and praise of virtue and piety by simulation and empty ostentation, with not only feigned speech but also a feigned face; or whether, while being defiled in mouth, tongue, hand, and every part of his life, he trusts that he will have impunity and eternal license: he will be involved in a shameful and pernicious error. For this censor says: "Depart from me, all you who work iniquity" Psalm 6; Matthew 7; Jeremiah 17. This censor searches the hearts and proves the reins. This one estimates not things exposed to the senses of eyes and ears, but things hidden and removed from the judgment of sight; here what kind each person is