But whilst in the conduct of the Jews we see how religion is opposed, we see, in the conduct of our Lord, II. How it is to be maintained —
None of the weapons which are made use of by the enemies of religion, are to be employed by its friends. If they contend with evil, we are to contend with good, and to " overcome evil with good." The cause of Christ must be maintained,
1. With undaunted firmness —
[Our blessed Lord was not intimidated by this rude assault ; but, as one who felt that he was possessed of a good conscience, and a good cause, he firmly expostulated with his adversary : " If I have done evil, bear witness of the evil ; but if well, why smitest thou me ? " Now this shews us, that we are not called to submit to injuries without maintaining that we have still the same rights as other men, and that, when those rights are violated, we have just reason to complain. St. Paul, when a Roman Centurion had bound him with thongs, and was about to scourge him, asserted his right, as a Roman citizen, to be regarded as innocent, till his guilt had been proved in a court of justice f: and at another time, after having been unjustly beaten and imprisoned, he would not leave the prison till the magistrates, who had so treated him, should " come to fetch him outg." Thus we may avoid injuries
d John xix. 12. e Isai. lix. 15.
f Acts xxii. 25. 8 Acts xvi. 37.