moment : you are " not to follow a multitude to do evil :" if a thing be right, you should love it and cleave to it, though the whole world should be against you ; just as Noah, Daniel, and Elijah did : and, if a thing be evil, you must not do it, though the loss of all things, yea even of life itself, should await you for your integrity. It were better far to go into a fiery furnace for your steadfastness, than to save your- selves by an undue compliance.
Doubtless this holy walk and conversation will involve you in the charge of singularity ; but whose fault is it, if this conduct makes you singular ? Is it yours ? Is it not rather theirs, who will not yield obedience to the precepts of their God ? We mean not by this to justify any who would affect a needless singularity : far from it : it is only where the world are wrong, that we would recommend any to separate from them. But wheresoever they are wrong, there you must " quit yourselves like men," and shew them by your example a more perfect way. In important matters, the whole universe should not shake your resolution. Where duty evidently calls, you must be firm, and " faithful unto death." It is confessedly " a strait and narrow way" in which you are called to walk ; and, whilst walking in it, you must of ne- cessity, like Noah, " condemn those" who are walking in "the broad road that leadeth to destruction1;" and consequently, like him, you must incur the scorn and hatred of an ungodly world. But it is better far to brave the hatred of the ungodly, than to participate in the lot that shortly awaits them.
To all, then, who would " adorn the doctrine of our
Saviour," we beg leave to offer this plain and
salutary direction —
" Let your light shine before men ;" and let it
shine so bright, as to " put to silence the ignorance
of foolish men," and to " make those ashamed, who
falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."
Labour habitually to do this in every thing that
» Heb. xi. 7.