[How numerous this class is, a very little observation will suffice to teach us. The generality of men, if it were proved at this moment that there never had existed such a person as Jesus Christ, would have no one thing to alter in their con- duct : a sure proof that they never have paid any regard to him at all. Indeed, they consider the fear of him as superstition, the love of him as enthusiasm, and all regard to him as a symptom of weakness and folly.
And what is this, but to'" be ashamed of him," or, as another Evangelist expresses it, to " deny him?" While they represent him as unworthy of any attention from his creatures, they degrade him as an impostor, and hold him up to universal contempt.]
2. Those who, while they feel some regard for Him,
are ashamed to manifest it before men —
[Many are persuaded in their minds, that the words of Christ are true, and that they who are obedient to them are the best and happiest of mankind : yet they dare not to unite themselves to this despised people, lest they should share in the obloquy that is cast upon them. They are ashamed to be seen conversing with any distinguished servant of Christ, or to be found in a Church where the Gospel is faithfully preached ; or if they venture to go thither at any time, they assume an air of levity and indifference foreign to their real feelings, merely that they may not be thought to be tinctured with enthusiasm, or to have come thither for any other end than curiosity and amusement. They can hear the Gospel defamed, and the professors of it condemned as hypocrites and fanatics, and not dare to open their lips in vindication of either : yea, they can even join in profane jesting themselves, much sooner than they can utter the real sentiments of their hearts. Though, in a sense, they " believe in Christ, they dare not confess him3." And what is this but to be ashamed of Christ ?]
3. Those who profess indeed a regard for him, but in circumstances of trial are afraid to maintain a con- sistent conduct —
[Many professors of religion are far from possessing that courage which is necessary to uphold them in times of perse- cution. Peter himself, though naturally courageous, was tempted to deny his Lord with oaths and curses : nor was he restored to God's favour without many tears and bitter lamen- tations. And is there not reason to fear that many of us, if brought into similar circumstances, would resemble him ? How few are there amongst us, who, like Daniel b, would persist in
a John xii. 42. •> Dan. vi. 10.