trial we could expect no better, should God ever suffer the bigotry of Rome to possess the throne of these kingdoms; which may he of his infinite mercy always prevent: for we know, that when that sort of people kill us for our supposed heresy, they think that they do God good service. Now here is Christian courage, if we should be called to lose our lives for the testimony of Jesus, "not to be moved with these things, nor to count our lives dear unto ourselves, so that we may finish our course with joy," Acts xx. 24. This is the utmost that man can do, to kill the body: but beside that, there are many lower sufferings for righteousness' sake, which require fortitude to bear them: the loss of substance, or liberty, or friends, or reputation. We may lie open to the trial of cruel mockings and reproaches, when enemies are restrained from doing more; and these are some trials of resolution to an ingenuous mind. Or even to descend lower; it is a point of courage, especially to some tempers, to be singular or to act contrary to the common stream of practice; to be obliged by our sentiments to go against the advice and importunity of friends; to differ in points of conduct from many wise and good men, whom we highly esteem and value. And yet a good man may sometimes find himself necessitated to run counter to his dearest associates, and even to withstand them to the face, Gal. ii. 11. while he studies to approve himself to God. It yet remains, for explaining Christian courage, that it be shewn. 3. Wherein, or in what acts and instances it should express itself. Insensibleness of difficulties or dangers is not a proper expression of it. It is not expected of a Christian, that his apprehension of these things should be less quick than other people's, or that he should have no natural reluctancy to them. Without that, they would be no trial of his courage. Nor are we to expose ourselves unnecessarily to dangers. We should exercise courage in conjunction with Christian prudence, though it ought not to be under the restraints of carnal policy. It is Christian prudence, not to run upon danger, farther than plain duty obliges us. I cannot say, that it is always men's duty to profess every particular opinion they entertain to all the world, in some cases that rule holds, "Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God," Rom. xiv. 22. The preservation of the peace of the church, and their own safety may justify them in it. But it is always our duty not to deny or profess the contrary to that which we believe, though at the greatest peril. It would rather be imprudence than duty, to act in time of persecution, as some primitive Christians did, who ran uncalled to the heathen tribunals, and cried, I am a Christian, on purpose that they might obtain the honor and reward of martyrdom. It is sufficient, if we are ready to hold fast our profession, when the providence of God calls us out to the conflict; if we are willing to bear any temporal evil for our faithfulness, rather than be false to Christ and a good conscience, when we must choose the one or the other. It is delivered as an ordinary rule by Christ himself to his disciples, when he foretels the persecutions that would await them, Matt. x. 23. "When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another." Though circumstances may sometimes vary the case, and make even this inconsistent with duty. Nehemiah was so situated :When the whole work of repairing the state of the Jews, after the captivity, depended under God upon his presence with the people; though he was apprized of attempts against him by the common enemy, yet in such circumstances, says he, "should such a man as I flee ?" Neh. vi. 11. And the like may occur in the case of others; which good men must judge of for themselves, as they fall out, and by which those who are thoroughly devoted to God will govern themselves. The ordinary rule is as hath been mentioned. But Christian courage is to exert itself in such ways as these. (1.) In deliberate and vigorous resolutions for God and our duty, upon counting the cost. This is all that can be done, when difficulties and dangers are not actually present; seriously to consider them, and upon balancing matters, to determine for a firm adherence to our master, whatever it may cost us. It is true, we may deceive ourselves in this courage at a distance, and after resolutions that seemed bold and brave, betray shameful cowardice in the conflict. The disciples were a sad instance of this: their resolution for Christ seemed firm, and certainly they thought it so themselves. Peter said to him, "Though all men should be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended," Mat. xxvi. 33. In ver. 35. he seemed to consider the very worst that could befal him, and from that particular view to add new vigour to his resolution. "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples." And yet we know, Peter soon shamefully denied him, and all the rest "forsook him and fled.". Such an instance may justly be a loud admonition, against confidence in ourselves, for performing good resolutions in our own strength; and against trusting to them, when we have made them, without continued watchfulness and recollection: one or both of which seem to have been the faults of the disciples, and the reason of their ill success. But their miscarriage after laudible resolves, should by no means divert us from forming such purposes. Christ himself recommends them to all his followers. When he had stated the terms of being his disciples, he plainly intimates the folly and danger of setting out in profession, without weighing those terms, and a full determination to go through, Luke xiv. 26 -30. The same thing Barnabas inculcated upon the church of Antioch; he "exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord," Acts xi. 23. Such a noble ardour in Paul was a bright part of his character, when he could say, "I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus," Acts xxi. 13. tance. (2.). In the suppression of distracting fear of evils at a disThe coward often fears where no fear is and as well as the slothful man, creates to himself many imaginary dangers; "There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets," Prov. xxii. 13. And represents real ones with a much more formi, dable aspect than they have in themselves. His spirits sink at the prospect. Fortitude has a very contrary effect. brave soldier of Christ does not anxiously take thought about the morrow, but leaves future events to God's ordering. "He shall not be afraid of any evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid," Psal. çxii. 7, 8. The (3.) In a vigorous application to our Christian work, notwithstanding the stated and constant difficulties and opposi tions attending it. Though Satan would hinder, and the world ensnare, and a corrupt heart resist, a courageous Chris," tian goes on as one resolved to conquer or die; striving to enter in at the straight gate, Luke xiii. 24. Maintaining an unwearied conflict with his spiritual enemies, wherever they oppose him in his great design. If he is sometimes foiled yet he returns to his warfare, and strenuously endeavours to regain the ground he has lost. And if still he hath not the success he wishes for, yet he resolves to persevere and never to quit the field, till his warfare is accomplished. Such a man answers the character given by our Saviour of the heirs of heaven, Matt. xi. 12. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth vio lence, and the violent take it by force." (4.) In a readiness to undertake hard and difficult services, when God calls to them. Such as may be eminently for the honour of God or the advantage of our generation, though we may foresee few to help us, and many to oppose us; though we must reckon upon numerous and formidable adversaries, and reproaches possibly from good and bad men too; though the business we are employed in may be unacceptable to the most. Holy fortitude is necessary to dispose men to come to the help of the Lord against the mighty; when popular mistakes are to be opposed; when iniquity comes in like a flood, and God seems to call out, "Who will rise up for me against the evil doers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" Psal. xciv. 16. Or when duty obliges us to go upon an ungrateful errand; as when God was about to pronounce the sorest judgments upon the Jews, and said in the hearing of the prophet Isaiah, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I, send me," Isa. vi. 8. And especially, when visible dangers await us, not to decline a service of which we are capable, is an act of illustrious courage for God: as Moses bravely pursued the design of delivering Israel out of Egypt, till he had accomplished it, "not fearing the wrath of the king," Heb. xi. 27. (5.) In an uniform steadiness of conduct under all the trials we actually meet with. It is no great expression of courage. in common-life, to talk big when dangers are remote; those are most apt to do so, who behave worst in time of trial; but cool courage and steadiness, as men are called out to action, iş the most valuable thing. So it is in a Christian. If he quits. not his post, forsakes not his God, makes not shipwreck of faith or of a good conscience, when he is called to suffer for his fidelity; this is indeed the Christian hero. Though he II. I am farther to shew, what may be intended in the exhortation to add virtue, or courage, to our faith. This may intimate the imperfection of our faith, without this superstructure upon it. It is necessary to be added to our faith, in order to our acceptance with God. We must "confess with the mouth, as well as believe in our hearts the Lord Jesus, if we would be saved," Rom. x. 9. Faith is dead, if it produce not a correspondent profession and course of action. Without this, we may ourselves justly question the sincerity of it, and cannot recommend it effectually to others; for without fortitude we cannot perform and execute the noble dictates of so divine a principle. But that which I principally apprehend to be designed is, to intimate the just reason which our faith gives for Christian courage. When we are called to make this addition, we are only required to build the most proper and natural structure upon our most holy faith. The fortitude required by the gospel, is distinguished from all other fortitude, not only as it is upon account of the truths and duties of Christianity, but as it is founded upon Christian principles. Christian faith is most fit to inspire with Christian fortitude. For instance, 1. Faith discovers divine providence as engaged for us, and with us in all our difficulties. God frequently animated his servants under the Old Testament in hard services, by au |