378 Prudence nec jfary in converting SERM. indeed Chriftianity requires our warmeft, XIV. moft affe tionate zeal for its propagation and 16"."'")a refolved adherence to the profefliion of it, even though we fhould fuffer by the hands of men, fo far as to the lofing of life itfelf ; yet it no where requires us to precipitate ourfelves into dangers fromthe adverfaries of the gofpel, and to provoke their perfecuting rage by our rafhly and indifcreetly endeavouring to force it upon them by our importunity, while they manifeftly fhow an utter averfion to it. On the contrary our Saviour injoins his difciples, though they fhould never betray his caufe for fear of perfecution, nor procure eafe to themfelves by denying the truth, but be pre- pared to endure the moft grievous fufferings rather than forfake their -profeflion ; yet, I fay, he injoins them to íhun perfecution whenever they could do it with a good con- science. When they were perfecuted in one city, their orders were, to flee to another, both that they might fave their own lives, which fhould not be thrown away unnecef- farily, and that they might feek an oppor- tunity of bellowing their labours in the pro- pagation of Chriftianity where they might hope for a better reception. But the general rule,
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