to good advice ; but we should guard against seduction, from whatever quarter it may come ; and should " prove all things, and hold fast that only which is good." As to concealing our love to the Gospel, we should not attempt it, or even endure the thought of it for a moment. We should not be afraid of having it known " whose we are, and whom we serve." We should shine as lights in the world ; holding forth, in our lives, as well as with our lips, the word of life :" and should so make " our light to shine before men, that all who behold it may glorify our Father who is in heaven." It was a matter of public notoriety that the Apostle was " set for the defence of the Gospel:" nor should our devotion to it be unknown by those around us, who have an opportunity of observing our life and conversation.]
3. In our propagation of it to the world —
[This is the duty both of ministers and people ; each of whom, in their respective places and stations, should advance the knowledge of it to the utmost of their power. The whole mass of converts, when driven from Jerusalem by the perse- cution which had consigned Stephen to martyrdom, " went every where preaching the worde." And, in like manner, all, of every description, though not called to the ministerial office, are, in a less ostensible manner indeed, though scarcely less effectual, to bear testimony to the truth, and to commend
the Saviour to all around themf To "put our light
under a bushel" would be the greatest injustice both to God and man : to God, who has imparted it to us for the good of others ; and to man, who can by no other means be guided into the way of peace. To the pious zeal of others we are in- debted for all that we know ; and, " having freely received, we should freely give."]
Address —
1. Those who have no regard for the Gospel — ■
[In what a pitiable state are you ! and how awfully has
" the god of this world blinded your eyes ! " Perhaps
you think that the opposition which it meets with is a just ground for questioning its real worth. But I should rather say, that that very opposition is a presumptive evidence in its favour ; because it has been so opposed from the days of Cain and Abel until now ; and because it declares what reception it shall ever meet with from an ungodly world. And may I
e Acts viii. 4.
f If this be preached in support of a Bible Society, here would be the place for shewing the importance of such societies, and men's duty to support them.