25 / 674
SBRM.
XXXI.]
OR
REMEDIES AGAINST
FEAR.
sr
gospel,
and
rise in arms
of
defiance
against the only
Saviour.
'
It
is
proper then
for
us
to
enquire,
are
we
ready
to
declare ourselves christians
if
we
are
called
to
it, when
deists and
scoffers
surround
us
with
their abo-
minable
jests, or
their
wanton
cavils?
For
though
some-
times
they
argue against
our
creed with calmness
and
decency,
yet
it
must
be confessed
that
those
are the most
common
weapons which this sort
of
men make use
of.
Dare
we
now
make
a
profession
of
our
faith among men
of
infidelity,
and
not
value their banter, and
their
inso-
lent reproaches? Let
us
remember,
that
christian cou-
rage
must encounter
mockery
and slanders
as
well
as
other
terrors:
Courage must guard
us
against sinful
shame, as well
as
against
sinful fear.
Can
we
glory in
a
crucified Saviour
as
the
wisdom
and
the power
of
God,
if
we
should be placed between
the Jews
on
one
side,
and the heathens
on the
other,
who
load this
doe,
trine
with folly
and scandal.
St.
Paul
was
a
brave
ex-
ample
;
O
that
every soul
of
us
could as
bravely imitate
him
!
But let
us
proceed to
some
more occasions
of-
courage
a -kin to this.
Perhaps
we
content
ourselves to
be
christians in
our
.
closets,
and
to
frequent
the public assemblies
of worship
without
shame
or
fear,
because
our
neighbours do the
same
:
But
I
would
enquire
of
such general
professors
of
christianity,
why
are
you
so
backward to
give
up your:
names to Christ, and
attend
on
the special
ordinance
of
his
holy
supper
?
Is
it not because
you
are ashamed
to
appear
in
such a
strict
profession
of
godliness,
and
to be
known
and observed
by
the
world, as those
that
have
devoted
themsel\
es
to
'the
Lord
in his
church? This
is
certainly the
case
of
some
younger converts.
Let
them
here
be
put
in mind
of
their former
neglects, and
their
present
duty.
Be
strong
in
the Lord, banish a shameful
.
shame,
and
seal
your covenant
in
the blood
of Christ.
His
cross
is
your
hope,
and
why
should
you
not
make
it
your
glory
too?
If
you
are
ashamed
of
such a_public profession
in
peaceful
times,
what
will ye
do
if
days
of
trial should
come?
Would
you
be
ready
to
vindicate your
separation
from the church
of
Rome, and all its
superstitions
?
Would you
have
courage
enough to
maintain the
purity
ofyour
profession,
and
your close
adherence.,
to
scrip
-.
B3