17. Whatever you let go, be sure you hold fast your integrity. A man
Algerius, an Italian martyr, had rather be in prison with Cato than with Caesar in the senate-house.
But to conclude this word of counsel, the new man walks by a new rule. As soon as ever God has made a man a new creature, he presently sets up a new rule of life to walk by, and that is no other but that which God himself sets up for his people to walk by, and that is his written word: Isaiah 8:20, "To the law and to the testimony;"
Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path;" ver. 133, "Order my steps in your word;" Gal. 6:16, "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." This rule he sets up for all matters of faith, and for all matters of fact. The word is like the stone
Garamantides, which has drops of gold within itself, enriching of every soul who makes it his rule to walk by. Alexander kept Homer's
Iliads in a cabinet, embroidered with gold and pearls; and shall not we keep the word in the cabinet of our hearts, that it may be always ready at hand as a rule for us to walk by? Well, friends, whatever you do forget, be sure that forever you remember this—namely, that none can or shall be glorious creatures, but such as by grace are made new creatures. But,
4. The fourth word of advice and counsel is this—Labor to be more inwardly sincere, than outwardly glorious. "The king's daughter is all glorious within," Psalm 45:13. Oh labor rather to be good, than to be thought to be good; to live than to have a name to live, Rev. 3:1, 15-
17. Whatever you let go, be sure you hold fast your integrity. A man