(4.) When our non- profession shall be interpreted to be a denial. Thus Daniel, chap, vi. 10, opened his casement, which looked towards Jerusalem, and prayed three times a day as he was wont. We must rather suffer than deny the truth by interpretation, when such prac- tices are urged as cross a principle, and we comply.
(5.) When others are scandalised by our non-profession, or not owning the truths of Christ ; that is, not only with the scandal of offence or contristation, but with the scandal of seduction, in danger to sin ; and to run into error by our not appearing for God, the interest of truth should prevail above our ease and private content.
(6.) When an account of my faith is demanded, and I am called forth to give testimony for Christ, especially by magistrates : Mat. x. 18, ' Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles : 1 Peter iii. 15, ' Be always ready to give an answer to every one that asketli a reason of the hope that is in you,' provided it be not in scorn : Prov. xxvi. 4, 5, ' Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.' Answer and answer not ; not out of curiosity, as Herod questioned Christ many things, but he answered him nothing, Luke xxiii. 9 ; or to be a snare, Isa. xxxvi. 21, ' They held their peace, and answered him not a word, for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not,' nor parley with Kabshakeh. In such cases you must not ' cast pearls before swine, lest they turn again and rend you,' Mat. vii. 6,
464 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XLIX,
(7.) When impulsions are great, and fair opportunities are offered in God's providence : Acts xvii. 16, ' While Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly- given to idolatry.' It is an intimation from God that then it is sea- sonable to interpose for his glory.
[2.] Negatively, which is to be forborne.
(1.) Till you be fully persuaded in your own mind of the truth which you would profess, for otherwise we shall appear with a various and doubtful face to the world, changing and wavering according to the uncertainty of our own thoughts, and so make the profession of religion ridiculous. We often see cause to suspect what before we were strongly conceited of. There is a certain credulity and lightness of believing which men are subject to. Now when this breaks out into sudden profession, men run through all sects and religions, and so blast and blemish their own service, therefore what is contrary to the received sense, especially of the godly, ought to be weighed and weighed again before we appear to the world to be otherwise minded.
(2.) When the profession of a lesser truth proves an offence to the weak, and a disturbance to the church, and a hindrance of some greater benefit. All private opinions must give way to the great l&,w of edifi- cation : Eom. xiv. 22, ' Hast thou faith ? have it to thyself before God.' We must not perplex weak souls with doubtful disputations, till they be established in greater things ; neither must the peace of the cliurch be troubled with nice debates, but all things must give way to the profit and general edification.
(3.) When the unseasonable venting of things will do more hurt than good, and the sway of the times and strong tide and current of prejudices running down against us hinder all probability of doing good, then our profession now may deprive us of a more useful pro- fession another time : Pro v. xxix. 11, 'A fool uttereth all his mind, but he that is wise keepeth it in till afterward.' Paul was at Ephesus two years before he spake against Diana, Acts xix. 10; only intimated in general terms that they were no gods that were made with hands. When we cannot effect the good things we desire, nor in that holy manner we would, we must not obstruct our future service, but com- mend the cause to God, and wait further opportunity to do good.
2. The manner how to make profession.
[1.] Knowledge must be at the bottom of profession. Some will run before they can go, leap into opinions and practices before they see the reasons of them ; and then no wonder they are as children, ' carried about with every wind of doctrine,' Epli. iv. 14. Wherefore, that which we profess we must do it knowingly, that we may be able to render a reason of all that we do profess.
[2.] Gracious wisdom to espy the due occasion when God is glorified and our neighbour edified. Eash, arrogant, and presumptuous spirits are heady, high-minded, disgrace religion more than honour it.
[3.] With boldness to do it freely and without fear of men : Acts iv. 13, ' When they saw the boldness of Peter and John,' &c. ; ver. 29, 'Grant to thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word;' and 1 Tim. iii. 13, ' They that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith