A30570:350
The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs
The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs ; published by Thomas Goodwin ... [et al.]
London: printed by Peter Cole and Edward Cole, 1661
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Tertullian hath a whole treatise upon this concerning fleeing in persecution, and I know no man that ever denied it might not be, but only he; he would not have any flee in any danger for the case of religion; and he brings in many arguments, but they are not such, but an ordinary understanding Christian may answer, but this is one thing amongst the rest, says he, When you flee either you find in your hearts you shall deny the truth of God, or you have done it, or you know not whether you shall or no if you find in your hearts you shall deny the truth you have done it already: but if you know not whether you shall or no says he, it is in your own power or in Gods power to uphold you; if it be in your own power, why should you not rather think you should stand for the truth of God; if it be in Gods power, why do you not depend upon God: But I bring this to show, that if you already think you cannot stand for the truth you have declined already.
Tertullian hath a whol treatise upon this concerning fleeing in persecution, and I know no man that ever denied it might not be, but only he; he would not have any flee in any danger for the case of religion; and he brings in many arguments, but they are not such, but an ordinary understanding Christian may answer, but this is one thing amongst the rest, says he, When you flee either you find in your hearts you shall deny the truth of God, or you have done it, or you know not whether you shal or no if you find in your hearts you shal deny the truth you have done it already: but if you know not whether you shal or no says he, it is in your own power or in Gods power to uphold you; if it be in your owne power, why should you not rather think you should stand for the truth of God; if it be in Gods power, why do you not depend upon God: But I bring this to shew, that if you already think you cannot stand for the truth you have declined already.
4. A fourth miscarriage is this, when people in their fleeing look at their own safety, but do not take care to fit themselves for further future service for God, or for suffering afterwards, if God shall at any other time call them to it, never minding to make their chamber of hiding to be a place of provision for suffering afterward when God shall call to it.