Christian constancy crowned by Christ A funeral sermon on Apocalypse 2.10. preached at the…Christian constancy crovvned by Christ A funerall sermon on Apocalyps 2.10. preached at the…

But alas,¹ how many will be found, to have no true faith, who yet make profession of Faith, if they be brought to this Touchstone, if they come to this trial. Every one is ready to say with him in the Gospel, ^mI believe, Lord. But, ⁿAll men, saith the Apostle, have not faith. No: all have not Faith, that make profession of Faith. How appeareth that, may some say? Surely, because as the same Apostle saith else-where, ^oAll obey not the Gospel: ^pall observe not the rules of it. For how many profess the faith of Christ, that yet are wholly ^qestranged from the life of Christ? How many ⟨p. 8⟩thousands (millions, I might say) be there, that having given up their names unto Christ, and made solemn vows and covenants in Baptism with him, never so much as once think on (much less have any care of performing or making good) those solemn vows and promises that then they made, the bonds they entered into in their Baptism? And how are they Christians that keep no faith with Christ? And yet will such be counted Christians as well as the best: and are ready enough to vaunt of, and presume on their Christendom, as if ^rin regard thereof they were sure to do well. But, to omit that this their confidence, is like that before touched upon of the Jews, which ^sthe Prophet telleth them, should never stand them in stead: I would gladly know of some such, what it is that maketh him a Christian. My faith, peradventure thou wilt say,⁹ in Christ. Yea, but that Faith, as hath been showed, that is not accompanied with faithfulness, is no true, it is but a false and a counterfeit faith: Nor can a false and a counterfeit faith make (at the best, and the most) but a counterfeit Christian;