SERI. XV.i A RATIONAL DEFENCE OF THE GOSPEL. 261 Agrippa, but all those that hear me, were not only al- most, but altogether such as I am, except only these bonds, these sufferings. which I endure for Christ's sake. Acts xxvi. 29. 4. I amnot ashamed to contend for it as agood soldier of Christ; to defend it when it is attacked, and to vin- dicate the cause of my Lord and Master. Where it is assaulted I endeavour to secure it, though with many reproaches from the carnal prejudices of mankind. I oppose them all; for they oppose my Saviour and his cross, and I build my everlasting hopes there. I am set for the defence of the gospel of Christ. Phil. i. 17. and I will contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Jade, ver. 3. And he gave us an instance of it, that when Peter, who was an apostle; seemed to dimi- nish. some of the glory and the liberty of the gospel, he withstood him to the face. Gal. ii. 11. " There shall no man silenceme, or stop my mouth, when I am preach- ing a crucified Saviour, and when I express my faith in the liberty and latitude of the gospel of Christ. For if I durst withstand an apostle under his criminal conceal- ments, and in his diminution of the honour of this doc- trine, surely I dare oppose all the world besides." 5. Lastly, I am not ashamed to suffer and die for it as a martyr. Load me with reproaches, ye Jews, my coun- trymen, and load me with chains, ye magistrates of Rome ; of none of these am I ashamed or afraid, but with all boldness I am always ready that Christ should be magnified in my life, or zny death; Phil. i. 14, 20. And as for my friends that are full of sorrow lest Paul should be sacrificed for the faith of Christ, What mournye, and break my heart for ? I am not only ready to be bound, but to die fór the sake of Christ. I count nothing dear to me, no, nor my life precious to myself, that I may finish with joy the course ofmy ministry of this gospel that I may testify the grace of my God. Acts xx. 24. and, xxi. 13. I might add also, that St. Paul intends and means more than he expresses by a very usual figure of speech : I am not ashamed of it, that is, I glory in it, I make my boast of it. If there be any doctrine worth boastingof it is the gospel of Christ. If I have any profession to s3
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