(5.) I would consider very much with myself the greatness of the indignation of God against those that shall in the least comply with Antichristianism when it doth come upon us. In Rev. xiii. 11, there is mention of " a beast that had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon" (which, I think, is the pope), "and he exerciseth all the power of the first beast;" that is, he exercises a power answerable to the pagan power. And what then ? Verse 1 6, " He caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads ; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark." No matter what the mark is ; but
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to receive any thing of him, is to receive his mark ; either in our fore- heads, where we shall show it unto all the world; or in our right hands, more privately, where it may be shown when opportunity serves. What then? Why, in chap. xiv. 6, 7, "I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." When Antichrist would bring his mark on the foreheads of the people and into their hands, God, by his gospel, calls men from their false worship and idolatry. But what if they do not obey? The 9 th and 10th verses tell us a " third angel followed, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation ; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb/' etc. Some will be apt to say, " Let us make a fair com- position, and use some compliance, to put an end to these disputes." No ; do it at your peril. God saith you shall drink of the wine of his wrath, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, and that for ever and ever. And I believe with all my heart and soul that this will be the portion of all the men and women in this nation that shall comply with any return of antichristian ido- latry among us ;— God shall pour out his indignation upon them.
(6.) Remember that if the trial comes, it is a day of battle; and it is not for you, when you should just engage in a battle, to be con- sidering of this or that way or contrivance to escape. No ; it is courage, and constancy, and faith alone, must be set on work, or you will not be preserved. All your wisdom and contrivances will not preserve you; but it being come to the issue between Christ and Antichrist, " it is the girding up the loins of your mind," and a " resisting unto blood against sin," and abiding in it, that is your duty, and must preserve you. Nothing will save you but faith, courage, and con- stancy.
(7.) There are in the Scripture intimations, that those who, in an especial manner, cleave unto God and his worship, with faith, love, and delight, shall be preserved and saved. I do not propose this unto you as an object of your faith; all the rest I do: but I say, there are intimations that give me some satisfaction ; that they who with quick and lively spirits do act faith, and love, and delight in God and his worship, or that are worshippers in the inner court of the temple, shall be peculiarly secured at such a time. But I am afraid few of
510 THE USE OF FAITH IN A TIME OF
us shall have it; because I see so much coldness and deadness grown generally upon us and the churches of Christ. It makes me think exercises will come upon us all; for we have need of them.
To conclude, —
First. Let not your talk about strange things keep the thoughts of these things you have been hearing out of your hearts ; for you will Le tried with Antichristianism before you die. We talk of news, and great things we look for in the world, and that Antichrist shall be destroyed: and so he will; but I do believe he will try us sorely in the meantime.
Secondly. Take heed of computations. How wofully and wretch- edly have we been mistaken by this ! We know the time is deter- mined,— its beginning and ending is known to God ; and we must live by faith till the accomplishment.
Thirdly. So many of us as have afresh engaged ourselves in cove- nant unto God, let us remember that we have taken the " mark of God upon our foreheads;" and it will ill become us to set the mark of Antichrist by it.