A Complete collection of farewell sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…

But why must we be steadfast?

But why must we be stedfast?

Alas, why? would you have me marshal up all the Reasons? bid me ⟨image 91⟩count the Stars, or number the Sands on the Sea-shore: There is not an Attribute in God, not a Precept, Promise, or Threatening in the word, not an Ordinance, not a Providence, there is nothing in God, or in the Devil, or in Sinners, or our selves, but all would give a contribution of Arguments to prove the Saints should be steadfast. I must but hint at a few things. First, I would argue from Jesus Christ. Believers, you love Christ, and therefore you love the Honour of Christ; now the honour of Christ is highly engaged in our steadfastness. We never cast a deeper blot on the Honour of Christ, than when we grow unsteadfast; I need not tell you so, the Jesuits, those meek Papists will tell you so, those that delight in nothing more than in milk of the Virgin Mary, and in the blood of Saints; they have enough if you be unsteady. 1. You dishonour Christ in his sufferings, pray tell me, Believer, why did Christ sweat blood? why did he dye? why did he undergo what the wrath of Devils could inflict, but for this end, to make you stand in conquest triumphing? Thus I remember as Joshua, Jos. 13. Come put your feet upon the neck of these Kings, &c. So Christ hath dyed that you might live, that you might stand; and what dishonour to the Eternal Saviour of the world, to a dying Saviour, to see a flying Christian. It was never heard of, that Soldiers should fly before a conquered Enemy, whose legs were cut off, whose arms were broken, whose swords were taken from them. 2. 'Tis a dishonour to the Spirit of Christ, the same Spirit that was with Christ, in all his Agonies, this very Spirit he hath given to Believers, that he might bring them through with some victory, therefore when we stand not, it is an high dishonour to Christs Spirit. 3. It is a dishonour to Christs Truth: Oh! let but a Saint fall, and what dishonour doth it bring to the Truth: I have but thought of some late experiments of poor Ministers, that I have heard of, carried about in triumph, look here is the man, that hath done this, that, and the other thing; and now look here is his—I cannot excuse Noah for his Drunkenness, yet methinks it is the part of a Ham, to show his Fathers nakedness. I remember that one hath told me (it is a great truth,) that Religion never suffers greater wounds than by the hands of her professed Friends. Oh!