Glorious Day of the Saints Appe
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