Nothing, save “ the depths of Satan,” can compete with human deceitfulness. When men are under the dominion of selfishness, they always set up idols in their hearts — have some sensual lusts to gratify — some personal end to accomplish some enemy, opponent, or rival to punish some corrupt popular favor and influence to gain some mischievous propensity to gratify, or, in short, some kind of self-interest or gratification to seek and secure, at the expense of public virtue, the public good, or the glory and kingdom of God.

Here lies the foundation for both self-imposition and popular deceit. These unworthy objects, sought as an end, soon become magnificent. Objects magnify by receiving improper attention and affection. Transgressors thus become dupes of their own idols, and bring to their aid a blinded conscience.

Then, most conscientiously too, like Saul of Tarsus, they will carry their idols, ends, aims, feelings, piques and prejudices, into their common dealings with men, into their conversation and intercourse, their friendship, morals, manners, religion — into their letters, books, pamphlets, preaching, praying, law-making and governing, professional and private business, in short, into everything. And they will twist, shape, modify, and turn everything to account, in furthering their mischievous objects, with cunning and deceit enough to make themselves laughing-stocks to all interested or close observers.

Such, the deceitfulness of sin, — such, human nature. “ Lord, what is man !”