Two hints, as rising from this subject, I would beg leave to suggest :
1. In embracing religion, be deliberate —
[Religion, sooner or later, will subject you to trials : for our Lord lias plainly warned us, that, " if we will be his dis- ciples, we must deny ourselves, and take up our cross, and follow him." He tells us farther, that, " if we hate not father and mother, and even life itself, for his sake, we cannot be his disciples." Then, before we profess ourselves his people, we should " count the cost:" we should consider, whether we are willing to " part with all for the pearl of great price." To what trials we may be subjected, we know not; but we must be prepared for the worst. For I have no hesitation in saying, that it were better never to follow Christ at all, than to follow him for a season, and then turn back from him : " It were better never to have known the way of righteousness, than, after having known it, to turn away fx'om it : for the last end of such a man is worse than his beginning."]
2. In maintaining it, be firm —
[If persecution arise for righteousness' sake, you must not be thinking how you may escape it, so much as how you may glorify God under it. I mean not to say, that, " if per- secuted in one city, you may not flee to another;" for that liberty was conceded by our Lord himself to his Disciples : but this I mean; that you should not for a moment think of conciliating your enemies by any sinful concession. Your duty to God must be paramount to every other consideration. Your great concern must be, to approve yourselves faithful to him. The Hebrew Youths with the fiery furnace in their view, and Daniel in expectation of the den of lions, thought of nothing but their duty to their God. So you must fear God, and God only. And, if it please God that you should be called to martyrdom itself, be content to " go through much tribulation in your way to the kingdom ;" and to ascend to heaven in a chariot of fire.]