Trait 34.
TRAIT 34.
His modest firmness before magistrates.
SUPPORTED by a strong persuasion that God and truth are on his side, the faithful minister is carried above all those disheartening fears which agitate the hearts of worldly pastors. Depending upon the truth of that solemn prediction, “They will deliver you up to the council, and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles;” he expects in times of persecution to appear before magistrates, and possibly before kings, for the cause of Christ and his Gospel. Nor is he affected at such a prospect. Relying on the promise of that compassionate Redeemer, who once appeared for him before Annas and Caiaphas, Herod and Pontius Pilate, without anxiously premeditating what he shall answer, and resting assured that wisdom shall be given him in every time of need, he cries out with the holy determination of the psalmist, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed,” Psalm 119:46.
When he is brought as a malefactor before the judge, while his accusers, actuated by a malicious zeal, agree to say, “We have found this man a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition among the people,” and one of the ringleaders of a new and dangerous sect; he justifies himself by answering, The witnesses who appear against me this day, neither found me trampling under foot the authority of my superiors, nor sowing the seeds of sedition among the people; “neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets; and have hope toward God, which they themselves allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” And supposing his accusers are not only deists, but professors of the Christian faith, he will add, This also I confess, that in conformity to those principles, which pretended philosophers term superstitious, and which lukewarm Christians call enthusiastic, “I believe” not only “in God the Father Almighty,” but also in Jesus Christ his only Son, whom I acknowledge to be “King of kings, and Lord of lords, and who, after having suffered for our sins, rose again for our justification.” Farther: I joyfully subscribe to that confession of faith, which is frequently in your own mouths, “I believe in the Holy Ghost,” who regenerates and sanctifies every true member of “the holy catholic Church:” and I participate with those members the common advantages of our most holy faith, which are an humble consciousness of “the forgiveness of sins,” a lively hope of “the resurrection of the body,” and a sweet anticipation of “everlasting life.” “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men,” Acts 24:5,
16. If his judge, already prejudiced against him, should unbecomingly join issue with his accusers, and charge him with extravagance and fanaticism; he will answer after St. Paul, with all due respect, “I am not mad: but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. And I would to God, that not only thou, but also all who hear me this day were altogether such as I am, except these bonds,” Acts 26:24, 29.
After a pastor has had experience of these difficult trials, he is then in a situation to confirm younger ministers in the manner of St. Paul: “I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. At my first answer no man stood with me; but all men forsook me: notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me: that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear the Gospel: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever,” 2 Timothy 1:12; 4:16, 18. Behold the inconvenience and dangers to which not only Christian pastors, but all who follow the steps of the Apostle Paul, will be exposed in every place, where the bigoted or incredulous occupy the first posts in Church or state! And whether we are called to endure torments, or only to suffer reproach in the cause of truth, let us endeavour to support the sufferings that shall fall to our lot, with that resolution and meekness, of which St. Paul and his adorable Master have left us such memorable examples.