Singularity

It is strange that men are content to be singular in any thing save in the service of God and the salvation of their souls. They desire, and labour too, to be singularly rich and the wealthiest in a town, to be singularly proud and in fashion by themselves, to be the strongest in the company to pour in strong drink. They would with all their hearts be in honour alone, and adored above others. They would dwell alone, and not suffer a poor man's house to be within sight. They affect singularity in wit, learning, wisdom, valour, worldly reputation, and in all other earthly precedencies; but they can by no means endure singularity in zeal and the Lord's service.

In matters of religion, they are resolved to do as the most do, though in so doing they utterly damn their own souls. "Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat."—(Matt, vii. 13.) Basest cowardice and fearfulness, fit for such a doom! But "the fearful, and unbelieving shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death."—(Rev. xxi. 8.) They are afraid of taking God's part too much, of fighting too valiantly under the colours of Christ, of being too busy about the salvation of their souls, lest they should be accounted too precise, fellows of an odd humour, and engrossers of more grace than ordinary.

It is one of Satan's dreadful depths, as wide as hell, and brimful with the blood of infinite souls, to make men ambitious and covetous of singularity in all other things, but in godliness and God's service;—not to suffer it in themselves, and to persecute it in others.—Bolton