blessed Lord so often, and so emphatically, repeats the same word, " Fear not man ; but I will forewarn you whom you shall fear ; Fear God ; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." Alas! that the stupidity of our hearts should ever make such repetitions needful ! but since our blessed Lord has condescended to make use of them, I pray God that our obduracy may not also render them ineffectual.]
We acknowledge that these considerations are awful ; but we state them to you as proofs of our love —
[To speak of the wrath to come is always painful, and frequently offensive. Persons are apt to imagine that we take pleasure in alarming the minds of men ; and they even conceive of us as disturbers of the public peace, and as enemies to the happiness of our fellow-creatures. But was this the character of our blessed Lord? or did he feel any thing but love, whilst he gave these solemn admonitions ? Yea, did he not account this fidelity to their souls the strongest expression of his regard? Hear how carefully he marks this in his address to them : " I say unto you, my friends" Permit me then to say, that, however men may be disposed to represent our fide- lity as an indication of harshness, we are actuated only by a spirit of love, and are in reality your best friends. Many there are, indeed, who call themselves your friends, who would give advice directly contrary to ours : they would say, ' Do not indulge any foolish fears about the wrath of God ; He is a very merciful Being ; and you have nothing to fear at his hands. But think how absurd you will appear in the sight of all sensible men : think how you are ruining all your prospects in life : think what troubles you will bring upon yourself by these needless singularities : shake off all these groundless apprehensions : turn your back upon those who would fill you with false alarms : and act so as to ensure the approbation and esteem of all around you.' This, I say, is the common advice of parents, of brethren, and of many others who call themselves friends : but think a moment whether their counsel or that of Christ is to be preferred : they say, ' Fear man, but not God; and Christ says, " Fear God, but not man." Truly, brethren, we must join in the advice of Him who has proved himself your friend ; has proved it by laying down his life for you : and we must declare to you that, whilst the fear of man is folly in the extreme, " the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and the praise of it endureth for ever."]
With this feeling, we urge them upon your minds with some additional arguments —
[The minor sorts of persecution are unworthy the regard of a rational man. What signifies a reproachful name, or the
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