u hast a little strength, and hast kept My word and hast not denied
My name." Nor has Laodicea, "neither hot nor cold," over whom the
curse is suspended, great things demanded of her. It is only, "Be
zealous therefore {163} and repent." Let her only undo her evil and
she, too, will have the blessing.

From none of these are great things asked. If they will but hold fast,
and in the power of the Spirit let not Satan have the advantage, the
grace of God within them will so operate of its own inherent force and
activity that each will be counted among those that overcome, and will
receive the gracious reward promised to those who are worthy to be
ranked among the victors in the Kingdom. What strong consolation is
here! What proof of the love and compassion of our God! Only yield
not to Satan, hold fast that which thou hast, and thine shall be a
share in the glory of the victorious Son of God.

V. _The Truest Test_

We have considered briefly some of the tests by which we may try
ourselves in the battle, but, after all, is it best to engage ourselves
in the application of any tests? There are indeed certain strong,
God-reliant souls who are not content unless they can thus test
themselves. If they believe the Holy Spirit is leading them to this,
well and good. Let them follow such a divine call wherever it may take
them, for the leading of the Spirit can never be other than a {164}
leading of perfect wisdom and perfect love. But doubtless for most of
us who desire to serve God in true simplicity, it is far better to
place our whole trust in Him, do what we can, lean in childlike faith
upon His great love, and not seek to measure our progress on the way.

Such tests may help many, but they should be strictly avoided if they
lead to introspection and self-analysis, those deadly foes of true
devotion; above all, if they lead to self-satisfaction and pride. If
the application of these tests produces mental doubt, distress, and
scruple, or vain complacency, take it as a distinct warning from God to
let them alone, for in souls of this temperament any such testing of
self will cause them to fall by the wayside, or else to fix their eyes
so earnestly on the road they are treading that they will lose sight of
Him Who is at once their Guide and their Goal. "Let us love Him," says
one who knew the love of God very deeply, "without striving to inquire
too inquisitively what we are doing for love's sake, so long as w