They will suffer Reproach for the Truth. (2.) They will suffer Blows for the Truth. (3.) Imprisonment for the Truth. (4.) Loss of their Goods. (5.) Banishment. (6.) Yea, Death it self, when called to it, rather than deny Christ, and the Truth.
6. They will stand by the Truth, when others turn their Backs upon it. Thus did Paul.
7. They will maintain every Truth, but more especially that Truth which is most opposed in the Day in which they live. It may be no demonstration of Courage, to stand up for, or maintain a Truth in one Age, which was a great Proof of Valour in another, when it was chiefly opposed. Would it be any Sign of spiritual Courage now, to affirm God is God, and Baal is not? yet that was in Elijah's Days.1 Or would it be any Demonstration of Courage now, to affirm Jesus of Nazareth to be the true Saviour? yet it was in the Apostle's Time, because it was the great Truth then opposed. Christian Courage is now showed, by owning and maintaining those Truths of Christ now opposed, and which in standing by, do expose the Professors thereof.
Now that which doth animate and embolden the Saints in the Day of Trial, in standing up for Christ, and his Ways, is:
1. The Satisfaction they have touching the Truth of that which they profess. 'Tis God's Truth.
2. The Consideration of the Excellency of God's Truth:2 The Word of God is pure, &c.
3. The Consideration of the Goodness and Justness of their Call to suffer in behalf of Truth; for that is one thing which must always be considered.
4. The Goodness of their Consciences, or the Evidences of their own Sincerity. A Hypocrite may suffer some things, but at last his Courage will fail him. I have heard of a Captain, that principally would make choice of two Sorts of Men for his Soldiers, viz. either sincere and godly Christians, or downright Atheists, because neither of them (he concluded) would be afraid to die: The true Christian would not be afraid of Death, because he knew he should go to Christ; and the Atheist would not be afraid of Death, because he thought, or rather hoped he should die as a Beast, and there would be an end of him.
5. The Consideration of his having so good a Second. A courageous and undaunted Second oftentimes puts much Courage into a Person that is singled out to fight a Duel. Now a Christian has the Almighty and Terrible God to take his part, &c.
They will suffer Reproach for the Truth. (2.) They will suffer Blows for the Truth. (3.) Imprisonment for the Truth. (4.) Loss of their Goods. (5.) Banishment. (6.) Yea, Death it self, when called to it, rather than deny Christ, and the Truth.
6. They will stand by the Truth, when others turn their Backs upon it. Thus did Paul.
7. They will maintain every Truth, but more especially that Truth which is most opposed in the Day in which they live. It may be no demonstration of Courage, to stand up for, or maintain a Truth in one Age, which was a great Proof of Valour in another, when it was chiefly opposed. Would it be any Sign of spiritual Courage now, to affirm God is God, and Baal is not? yet that was in Elijah's Days.1 Or would it be any Demonstration of Courage now, to affirm Jesus of Nazareth to be the true Saviour? yet it was in the Apostle's Time, because it was the great Truth then opposed. Christian Courage is now shewed, by owning and maintaining those Truths of Christ now opposed, and which in standing by, do expose the Professors thereof.
Now that which doth animate and embolden the Saints in the Day of Trial, in standing up for Christ, and his Ways, is:
1. The Satisfaction they have touching the Truth of that which they profess. 'Tis God's Truth.
2. The Consideration of the Excellency of God's Truth:2 The Word of God is pure, &c.
3. The Consideration of the Goodness and Justness of their Call to suffer in behalf of Truth; for that is one thing which must always be considered.
4. The Goodness of their Consciences, or the Evidences of their own Sincerity. A Hypocrite may suffer some things, but at last his Courage will fail him. I have heard of a Captain, that principally would make choice of two Sorts of Men for his Souldiers, viz. either sincere and godly Christians, or downright Atheists, because neither of them (he concluded) would be afraid to die: The true Christian would not be afraid of Death, because he knew he should go to Christ; and the Atheist would not be afraid of Death, because he thought, or rather hoped he should die as a Beast, and there would be an end of him.
5. The Consideration of his having so good a Second. A couragious and undaunted Second oftentimes puts much Courage into a Person that is singled out to fight a Duel. Now a Christian has the Almighty and Terrible God to take his part, &c.
- 11 Kings 18
- 2Psal 119.
