and confine themselves to " the narrow way that leadeth unto life," how can it be that they should escape notice? Their whole spirit and temper and conduct differ from the world, as much as light from darkness. We will suppose, their light is but small ; and if exhibited before the meridian sun, it might easily be overlooked ; but the smallest taper attracts notice when shining in the midst of darkness : and this is precisely their case : the splendour of their conduct may not be such as of itself to command admiration ; yet it cannot but be seen by reason of the surrounding darkness. But,
In the next place, they ought not to do it if they could. " Men do not light a candle to put it under a bushel, but to give light to all that are in the house :" nor does God " bring his people out of darkness into his marvellous light" solely for their own sakes, but " that they may shew forth the praises of Him that hath called themV' and diffuse the light which they have received. They are bound therefore, by every tie of duty and gratitude, to make him known to others, and to advance, as much as possible, his glory in the world. More- over, their fellow-creatures also have a claim upon them. Who that should see a blind man walking on the brink of a preci- pice, would not feel himself bound to warn him of his danger; and account himself guilty of a murderous cruelty towards him, if the man should perish through his neglect? If then we should feel it a duty to give him the advantage of our superior light in relation to his bodily welfare, how much more ought we to do it in relation to his soul ! The command given to every enlightened soul, is, " Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee*"."]
This leads us to speak of, II. The duty resulting from it —
[That we are not to do any thing from ostentation or vain-glory is certain : whatever proceeds from such a principle is altogether hateful in the sight of God, They who seek the applause of man must expect no other reward. But we are not to be so restrained by these considerations as to decline that course of action which will bring glory to God. On the contrary, we should " make our light to shine before men," and " so" shine, as to compel all who behold it " to glorify our Father which is in heaven."
It may be asked, How can any conduct of ours accomplish this? I answer.
First, it may shew men the tmreasonahleness of their pre- judices. All manner of prejudices are entertained against the Gospel ; and all that we can say is insufficient to remove
' 1 Pet. ii. 9. n> Isai. Ix. 1.