2. In the profession of it —
[When persecution arises because of the word, a separa- tion is made between the professors of religion, as the corn and chaff are separated when tossed to and fro in the sieve. But woe be to us, if we be like the chaff, that is driven away with the wind. We must " not put our light under a bushel," but be bold, and " quit ourselves like men :" we must " endure hardships as good soldiers of Jesus Christ:" we must " hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering :" we must be " willing to be bound, or even to die, for the name of the Lord Jesus :" we must not count our lives dear to us, so that we may but finish our course with joy. It is true, we are not to court persecution by an indiscreet declaration of truths, which people are not yet prepared to receive : but we must not conceal our religion, as if we were ashamed of it : we must in no respect deny Christ : " if we draw back, it will be unto perdition :" " if we only look back," after having put our hands to the plough, we are not fit for the kingdom of God :" "he that loveth his life, shall lose it ; and he only that is willing to lose his life for Christ's sake, shall save it unto life eternal."
3. In the practice of it —
d A conceit of our own wisdom, Rom. i. 22. Isai. xlvii. 10 ; a fondness for philosophy and vain deceit, Col. ii. 8 ; a listening to the disputes of heretics, 2 Tim. ii. 16 — 18 ; an undue regard to ceremo- nial institutions, Col. ii. 16 — 19 ; or an erroneous idea of the merit of good works, Rom. x. 3.
e Love of the world ; sloth, &c. &c.
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