when the end of their doings is the glory of God and the general
is firm, constant, and established," even then when his soul was
among lions. He does not now play the apostate and shake hands
with the ways of God. No. But "my heart is fixed." Now a man does
gloriously when he keeps to God and his truth, and serves his
generation, notwithstanding all discouragements which are thrown
upon him.
I need not tell you what discouragements this noble champion
met with from malignant pens, spirits, and tongues—but through all
God carried out his spirit that he was able to do his master's work
and to serve his generation, until he had finished that work that God
had for him to do.
It is nothing for a man to serve his generation when he has wind
and tide on his side, and all the encouragements that the heart of
man can desire—but it is the glory of a Christian, and then he does
gloriously, to be faithful in his generation against all
discouragements. Though your soul may be among lions, and you
live among those who are set on fire, as the psalmist speaks—yet say
as he says in that psalm, "Our heart is fixed, our heart is fixed in God,
we will sing and give praise." Fixed stars are most useful, and so are
fixed souls to church and state.
4. Then in the fourth place, Men may be said to do gloriously,
when the end of their doings is the glory of God and the general
good. O Christians, now you do gloriously. Those spirits will never do