January 17

"But I shall be singular." You will be singular; and while the world continues what it is, every Christian must be singular. Let any man, actuated by the spirit, and governed by the precepts of the Gospel, pass through the various walks of life, and whom will he resemble? What says the Divine command? "Follow not the multitude to do evil." "Be not conformed to this world." "Come out from among them, and be separate." "But I shall be singular." And suppose you are. In every thing else that is deemed excellent, persons wish to be singular. They would be singularly beautiful, singularly rich, singularly wise. But the righteous, in all these, is more excellent than his neighbour. Religion is always praiseworthy. To be religious among the religious is commendable; but it is far more so to be godly among the ungodly. What is innocence where there is no danger? or success where there is no contention? But to be surrounded with evil, and to be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord—this is the heroism of piety. This shows a knowledge of its infinite importance; a real love to its nature; a purity of motive; a nobleness of mind asserting its own freedom, and daring to think and act for itself.

But his piety was as sincere as it was singular—"Righteous," says God, "before me in this generation." Much more is necessary to render us religious before God than before men: and frequently that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. Human legislation is satisfied with actions; but the law of God is spiritual, and regards our principles as well as our practice. The Lord looketh to the heart. Hence we read of "pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father."

Bad goods require dark rooms; and as many articles of merchandise seem valuable till taken into the light, so there are many things which appear fair till they are set in the light of God's countenance. Before him the friendships we often profess are nothing but instances of selfishness; and the prayers and praises we engage in are only the forms of godliness. We may come to his house as his people come, sit and hear his words, and commend the preacher, and with our mouth show much love, while He sees our hearts going after our covetousness. And how dreadful do I think that He will hereafter develop all, and divulge all respecting us; and that what we have always been before Him, we shall be made to appear before an assembled world! Could many now be seen by their fellow creatures as he sees them, they would blush to leave their dwelling—To what everlasting shame and contempt must they awake and arise at the last day!

It has been said, a man has four characters: one with his friends; another with his enemies; a third with himself; and a fourth with his God. The two last should agree; and they frequently do agree; and if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God. We often confound hypocrisy and self-delusion. But hypocrisy has nothing to do with deceiving ourselves; it is only a deceiving of others. It is wearing a mask, instead of showing our own face; it is acting a part which does not belong to our character. This, we fear, is too common. And what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? But self-delusion is more rare, especially among those who live in the

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