SERMON XXXi. d 9i jet we ate botind to stand by the cause of God and goodness: So divine a cause deserves and demands such divine courage. How glorious was the character of Caleb and Joshua, who spokewellof the landOf promise, and endouraged the armies of Israel while all the rest of the spies which Were sent brotight an evil report upon the good kind: Num. xiii. 31, 32. The people believed the evil report, and spoke of stoning Joshuaand Caleb: But the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle, and God himself gave a testimony from heaven to tile sacred courage and honour of these Jewish heroes. What a brave spirit- dwelt in Elijah, who attempted to reform Israel from idolatry ! He would not fall down and worship Baal, though he thought he had been left alone, the only worshipper of the true God in the nation; 1 Kings xix. 14, VII. There are someother, and very commön Occasions for the exercise of sacred courage, which attend persons especially in the lower ranksof life : As for instance ; when a servant is called by providence to speak the truth, and yet he dare not do it with- outoffending his master : When apoor man is required to bear witness in some importantconcern, and Isis rich neighbour frowns and looks sour upon him : When a person of an inferior charac- ter is tempted to joinwith themighty in some unjust and disho- nourable practices, and while his superiors invite him to it, his conscience forbids hiscompliance. It is a noble act of christian courage, in such instances as these, to follow truth, equity, and conscience, wheresoever they lead, in opposition to all the allure- ments, the frowns, and the threatenings of persons in an higher 'station. Let those who fall under such a temptation remember, Mere is anhigher than the highest, and the great God, the Lord of heaven and earth, is the patron of truth and righteousness, the guardian of innocence, and the dreadful avenger of deceit and lying. I might add other instances of á kindred nature in common life, wherein christian fortitude is greatly necessary, especially in thiscorrupt and degenerate age : As whena trader must lookpo- verty In the face, and meet approaching ruin in his outward cir- cumstances, unless he make some inroad upon his honesty, did practise falsehoodand deceit. But if the case bethus, if achris- tian sees himself sinking in the world, by the frowns of provi= deuce, he must dare to sink rather than cheat his neighbour, and save himself by any base and dishonestmethods. Aman of relit gion and honour must stand firm to his word, must follow strict equity in all things, and neither enter into any methods of fraud, nor of violence, to retrieve his decayingcircumstances. O how many little knavish contrivances do persons often aft
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