Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker Sermons Prayers volume 2.djvu/149

Rh passion are each in position, and at their proper function; the faculties enlarge until they reach their entire measure of possible growth, and the whole man becomes the greatest he is capable of being here and now.

You see this strength of character, which naturally results from religion, not only in its general forms, but in its special modes. Look a moment at the passive power, the power to endure suffering. See the fact in the en- durance of the terrible artificial torments that are used to put down new forms of religion, or extinguish the old. While men believe in the divinity of matter, they try suspected persons by exposure to the elements,—walking over red-hot ploughshares, holding fire in the naked hand, or plunging into water. All new forms of religion must pass through the same ordeal, and run the gauntlet betwixt bishops, priests, inquisitors ; between scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites. See how faithfully the trial has been borne. Men naturally shrink from pain ; the stout man dreads the toothache, he curls at the mention of the rheumatism, and shivers at the idea of an ague; how suddenly he drops a piece of burning paper which would tease his hand for a minute! But let a man have religion wakened in his heart, and be convinced that it is of God, let others attempt to drive it out of him, and how ready is he to bear all that malice can devise or tyranny inflict! The thumb-screws and the racks, the whip, the gallows, and the stake,—the religious man has strength to bear all these; and Cranmer holds his right arm, erring now no more, in the flame, till the hand drops off in the scalding heat. You know the persecutions of Peter and Paul, the martyrdom of Stephen, the trials of early Christians,—Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin, Irenseus, and the rest. They all went out to preach the form of religion themselves had practised, and enjoyed in their own souls. What could they offer men as an inducement to conversion? The common argument at this day—respectability, a comfortable life and an honourable death, the praise of men? Could Origen and Cyprian tell the young maiden, "Come to our church, and you will be sure to get a nice husband, as dainty fine as any patrieian in Ephesus or Carthage? Could they promise "a fashionable company in prayer,"