Chapter 46. Of Christian Apology and Martyrdom.
A GOLDEN CHAIN
Chapter 46. Of Christian Apology and Martyrdom.
The profession of Christ in time of danger is either in word, or deed.
Profession in Word is Christian Apology, or the confession of Christ. Rom 10.10, With the heart, man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth, man confesses unto salvation. Psa 22.22, I will declare Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You.
Christian Apology is the profession of Christ in word, as when we are ready with fear and meekness to confess the truth of Christian religion, so often as need requires, and the glory of God is endangered — even before unbelievers, especially if they are not past all hope of repentance.
1Pet 3.15-16, Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks you, a reason for the hope that is in you; and do that with meekness and reverence, having a good conscience, that when they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed, who blame your good conduct in Christ. Act 7, the whole chapter. Steven makes there an Apology for himself. Mat 7.6, Do not give that which is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they tread them under their feet, and turning back, all to rend you.
Profession which is in Deed, is called Martyrdom.
Martyrdom is a part of Christian profession when — for the doctrine of faith, for justice, and for the salvation of his brethren — a Christian man undergoes the punishment of death, imposed on him by the adversaries of Christ Jesus. Mar 6.18, 27, John told
Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. And immediately the King sent for the hangman, and charged him that [John's] head should be brought.
WILLIAM PERKINS
So he went and beheaded him in the prison. 2Cor 12.15, I will most gladly bestow, and be bestowed for your souls; though the more I love you, the less I am loved.
Notwithstanding, it is lawful for Christians to flee in persecution, if they find themselves not sufficiently resolved and strengthened by God's Spirit to stand.
Mat 10.23, When they persecute you in one city, flee to another. Truly I say to you, you shall not have finished all the cities of Israel, till the Son of Man comes. Joh
10.39, Again they studied [sought] to apprehend him, but he escaped out of their hands. Act 9.30, When the brethren knew it, they brought him to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. 1King 18.13, Was it not told to my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the Prophets of the Lord — how I hid a hundred men of the Lord's
Prophets, by fifties in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? Act 20.22, Now behold, I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem and do not know what things will come to me there.