Page:Great duty of confessing Christ before men, stated and recommended.pdf/12

12 the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal bodies. We are to confess him before men in all places of the world: not only in the presence of ministers and friends, with whom we are acquainted, but in every place where Providence fixes our habitation, among strangers and enemies; when no friend is present to applaud us, and no worldly interest is to be promoted. No change of place can alter the vows of God.—When David was in the land of the Philistines, he feared the God of Israel; he did not abandon himself to impiety, though he was unknown. Thy vows are upon me, (Psalm lvi.) says he, in the true spirit of religion. I will render praises to thee! How many men once bore Christ’s name, but on changing their abode, became bold in committing sin, and threw themselves into the thickest of the throng of the workers of iniquity! Christ should be confessed by us in an hour of trial: There is somewhat very affecting in what the high priest said to Jesus, (John xviii. 19 ) He asked him of his disciples; as if he had said, Where are all thy professed friends now in the time of thy afflictions! We are to follow Christ through good and bad report, and should be prepared to resist unto blood striving against sin. We are to take up his cross daily, and follow him what ever it cost us. When others deny him, or are ashamed of him and of his words, we should confess him before men. In the face of all dangers and death, in its most hideous forms, we should stand unintimidated, and say as the martyr of old, who being threatened and flattered to abandon Christ, replied to the confusion of his persecutors, I ! If we suffer with Christ, we wili reign with him; if we deny him he will deny us; He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. In such a glorious cause it is honourable