N01237:31
A discourse concerning the grace of courage, wherein the nature, beneficialness, and necessity of…
A discourse concerning the grace of courage, wherein the nature, beneficialness, and necessity of that virtue for all Christians, is described. Delivered in a sermon preached at Boston in New-England. June 5th. 1710. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from I Corinthians]A discourse concerning the grace of courage, wherein the nature, beneficialness, and necessity of that vertue for all Christians, is described. Delivered in a sermon preached at Boston in New-England. June 5th. 1710. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from I Corinthians]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1710
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Add to your Faith Virtue, (that is Courage) saith the Scripture. When Christians suffer Courageously for their Faith in Christ, then do they add to their Faith Virtue. And thus it has been with the Martyrs of Jesus. When they knew they should Die for it, they have freely and openly Declared their Faith in Christ; in nothing terrified by their Adversaries, or by the tortures inflicted on them. This could not be without a great measure of Christian Fortitude: God had given them not a Spirit of Fear, but of Power.
Add to your Faith Vertue, (that is Courage) saith the Scripture. When Christians suffer Couragiously for their Faith in Christ, then do they add to their Faith Vertue. And thus it has been with the Martyrs of Jesus. When they knew they should Dy for it, they have freely and openly Declared their Faith in Christ; in nothing terrified by their Adversaries, or by the tortures inflicted on them. This could not be without a great measure of Christian Fortitude: God had given them not a Spirit of Fear, but of Power.
4. The Servants of God have no sufficient cause to be Dismayed. Why should they be Dismayed, considering who is with them to Protect, Support and Save them? When the Town where the Prophet Elisha had his abode was surrounded with an Army of Syrian Enemies, his Servant being afraid, the Prophet said to him, Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them, 2 King. 6. 16. How was that? Ver. 17. Behold the Mountain was full of Horses, and Chariots of Fire round about Elisha. There was an Army of Angels ready to Defend them against the Army of Syrians. Yea, GOD Himself is with his Faithful Servants. This consideration made David Courageous; Psal. 118. 6. The Lord is on my side, I will not Fear. What can man do unto me? ⟨p. 16⟩From this also did Hezekiah hearten his Subjects, when their Capital Town was beleaguered with a mighty Army;