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I. IT IMPLIES THAT THE MAJORITY OR GREAT MASS OF MANKIND ARE UNIFORMLY AND CONSTANTLY ENGAGED IN DOING EVIL.

II. THE PROHIBITION WHICH WE ARE CONSIDERING IMPLIES THAT EVERY PERSON IS NATURALLY DISPOSED TO FOLLOW A MULTITUDE TO DO EVIL.

III. THE PROHIBITION IN THE TEXT IMPLIES THAT THOSE ARE ALTOGETHER CRIMINAL WHO, FOLLOW THE EVIL EXAMPLES OF EVIL-DOERS, THOUGH THEY ARE THE GREAT MAJORITY OF MANKIND. For —

1. They are free and voluntary in following the examples of those who do evil.

2. Every person acts contrary to his reason and conscience in following a multitude to do evil, which renders him altogether criminal and inexcusable.Conclusion:

1. If men are apt to follow bad examples, as has been said, then there is reason to think that bad examples are the great source of moral corruption in every part of the world.

2. If men are naturally disposed to follow the multitude to do evil, then the truly godly have much more concern in spreading moral corruption, and obstructing the cause of religion than they are apt to imagine.

3. Since men are naturally disposed to follow the bad examples of the multitude, it is easy to see why a people, declining in religion, are so apt to be insensible of their religious declensions. The minority are blended with the majority, and they are all imperceptibly declining together.

4. If all men are naturally disposed to follow the multitude to do evil, then the rising generation are always in a peculiarly dangerous situation.

5. If it be criminal to follow bad examples, it must be far more criminal to set bad examples.

6. If men are naturally disposed to follow the multitude to do evil, then every one in a state of nature has a great reason to fear that he shall live and die in his present unsanctified and impenitent state. Your belonging to the majority will not help you to turn about, but powerfully tend to hinder you. What will you say when He punishes you?

(N. Emmons, D. D.)

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KJV: Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

WEB: "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; neither shall you testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice;