Let me then address,
1. Those who are intimidated by the opposition made to them —
[" Fear not man, who can only kill the body ; but fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell." " If you will not lay down your life for Christ, you cannot be his dis- ciples." We cannot lower those terms. Christ died, under
<= 1 Cor. i. 23. ^ Gal. i. 8, 9.
the wrath of God, for you: and it is but a small sacrifice, in comparison, that he requires you to make for him.]
2. Those who set themselves against the truth of
God—
[You can never prevail, in fighting against God : or, if you prevail in any particular instance, you only aggravate so much the more your own guilt and condemnation. It were better for you to have a millstone fastened to your neck, and be cast into the depths of the sea, than that you should offend one of Christ's little ones.]
3. Those who are enabled to maintain their stead- fastness in the midst of an ungodly world —
[Perhaps you have suffered somewhat for the Lord. But have you found any cause to regret it? Have not the conso- lations of Christ abounded above all your afiiictions? You may possibly have yet more to suffer for his sake. But, for your encouragement, he has declared, that, " whilst he will deny those who deny him, he will admit all who suffer with him to reign with him in glory for ever and ever''." " Be then faithful unto death ; and expect assuredly, at his hands, a crown of life."]
e 2 Tim. ii. 12.