Further, the cause of my writing to you, and to your love, is also to ask you to help me pray in my behalf, for steadfastness in God’s truth, and that I may live in his grace, and for God’s faithful assistance towards me. I inform you that I am of very good cheer in my imprisonment, tribulation, sorrow, reproach, and suffering for righteousness’ sake; and also I have, with all the saints, in my tribulation, a bright prospect, the hope and consolation of the Spirit, and the rich promises of God to succor us in this present time, who also assures us of eternal life hereafter, of which so abundantly mention is made in the Scriptures.
In the first place, I know, consider, and firmly believe with many saints, according to the abundant testimony of the Scriptures, that God is faithful in keeping his promises. Read Deut. 32:4; Numbers 23:19; 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Tim. 2:13. He will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape. He does not leave his children comfortless. He will with his Spirit defend us before kings and princes, as much as will be needful at the time. He will, and knows how to, deliver the godly out of temptation. He says: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Therefore I will trust in the Lord, and not fear what man shall do unto me. Heb. 13:5,6. What can flesh do? says Paul.
Again: If God be with us, who can be against us? and God is with us, if we are with him, mark. Romans 8:31; 2 Chron. 15:2. Again: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.
Again: Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ Jesus. 2 Cor. 2:14. Again: Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. 1 John 5:4. For which cause we faint not (because of God’s consolation); but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Cor. 4:16. Again: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philip. 4:13. O how blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which God has promised to them (he says, to them) that love him. James 1:12.
And since God is so faithful in all his promises, as said, we press straight on with righteousness, as though we beheld God, and saw no adversaries; as though we saw no decree, fire, water, or sword. For who is he that will harm us, if we be followers of that which is good? as Peter assures us. 1 Peter 3:13. Also Paul says: Who shall separate us from the love of God? etc. Rom. 8:35. Who will pluck our Shepherd’s sheep out of his hand? No one. John 10:28. But one can and may indeed himself stray out of his hand. Again it is written: No evil shall happen to him that feareth God; for when he is tempted, he shall be delivered again. Mark, John says: There is no fear in love (1 John 4:18); understand, such fear as departs from the way of rectitude. Yea, such fearless ones run through patience (mark, through), not out of, but into, the conflict that is set before us, and look not at the dreadful tyranny, but unto Jesus, the Captain, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2.
And these comforting promises of God, here partly mentioned and touched upon, behold, speak, and treat chiefly only of God’s keeping, assisting and strengthening us, in this time, and in the sufferings of this present time.