Chapter. 12. Answering some objections made against fleeing
Chapter 12 Objections Against Fleeing Containing the eighth point, which is addressing objections against fleeing. Objection 1: Men should not leave their country. Answer in two points. Objection 2: Shouldn't someone stay to suffer? Answer.
Objection 3: God is all-sufficient to help in the greatest dangers.
Answer. Objection 4: Fleeing means ceasing to bear witness to the truth of God. Answer. Objection 5: Many of God's servants had the ability to fly but chose not to. Answer. Objection 6: What will happen to those left behind if they are forsaken by capable individuals?
Answer. Objection 7: If people would overcome their fears and stay for a while, the difficult situation would pass. Answer. Ninth point:
Directions for our conduct when we flee. 1. Minimize the guilt left behind in the place. 2. Conduct yourselves in a way that does not bring dishonor to God's name in the place you flee to. 3. Behave as exiled individuals, detached from worldly matters. 4. Cultivate a contented mindset. 5. Maintain fervency of spirit even after you are delivered. 6. Pray for those from whom you flee.
And now I address the Eighth point, which is responding to objections that may be raised against this.
Objection 1: It may be said that men should not leave their country.
Answer: We know that people leave their country for various reasons, such as for trade to provide for their families, as Ruth,
Abraham, and his sons did. They also leave for the purpose of learning, like the Queen of Sheba did. Therefore, it is reasonable to leave one's country for the sake of religion. If there is an opportunity to establish religion in our own country, we should prioritize that over anywhere else. However, if such an opportunity does not exist, we are permitted to leave our country for the sake of religion, just as the Ethiopian eunuch traveled and left his country to come to Jerusalem. Furthermore, God has a significant purpose in scattering His people through His providence, and if it were not for persecution, it is unlikely that the word of God would have been spread to various countries.
Objection 2: But should no one stay to suffer?
Answer: We should understand that fleeing is a form of suffering. If we examine the matter closely, many people urge others to stay and suffer because they themselves are reluctant to endure the immediate hardships of leaving their country, shops, and possessions. Peter Martyr, in a treatise on fleeing from persecution, provides a notable response to such individuals and describes their temperament and attitude. It is similar to someone who is afflicted with a disease that requires the amputation of a limb or enduring great hardship to cure it. If a delicate person, reluctant to endure hardship, can find someone to argue that this is not the way to cure the disease and that it can be treated with gentler means, they may choose to venture with the gentler means, even though it may eventually cost them their lives. Similarly, some people, due to their aversion to certain present troubles like leaving their countries and possessions, prefer to venture with gentler means. However, in doing so, they often end up denying the truth, defiling their consciences
with superstitious practices, and shamefully subjecting themselves to others.
But why don't they stay to suffer? Perhaps their time has not yet come, as Christ says in another case. If they had seen their time come, they would have been as willing to stay as others.
Furthermore, if they were to stay, they would show ingratitude towards God's providence in opening a door for them to enjoy the ordinances elsewhere.
Moreover, they dare not stay because it would be tempting God and relying on their own strength. If they were to stay without God's calling, they could not expect God's strength, and they are aware of their own weakness.
Objection 3: But is not God all-sufficient and able to help in the greatest dangers?
Answer 1: Certainly, if we were to compare who trusts in God's power the most, it may be found that those who flee to avoid danger have more exercise of their faith in trusting God's power than many who stay and argue in a manner as if we didn't greatly need the power of God to support and deliver us. Trusting in God's power for that purpose is as much as an ordinary, or even a strong faith can accomplish.
Answer 2: However, we must be cautious not to impose our own desires on God's power. God has sufficient power to provide relief and defense for His people, but if we expect God's power to work according to our own will, it is not belief but presumption. If God chooses to manifest His power in upholding the way He has
ordained, who are we, as men or women, to assume that God should exert His power to uphold our own way?
Furthermore, God will exert His power through the use of means.
Objection 4: But then we leave to give testimony to the truth, and isn't giving testimony to the truth of God worth more than our estates?
Answer 1: Fleeing is itself a form of giving witness, and those who argue against it are reluctant to give as much witness. Isn't it a witness for a man to leave his estate and country for the sake of truth?
Answer 2: Moreover, even in their absence, they can give witness through their writings or their actions, and they may be reserved to give further witness.
Objection 5: But many of God's dear servants, such as the Martyrs, had the ability to fly, and yet they chose not to.
Answer 1: To that, I first answer that there may have been many obligations upon them that God did not release.
Answer 2: Furthermore, much depends on circumstances, and a faithful Christian, by comparing different factors, may discern where
God's glory is most manifest.
Answer 3: It is possible that they experienced some extraordinary work of God's Spirit in the form of assistance, comfort, and emboldening, so their example cannot be generalized as a rule.
Objection 6: But what will happen to those who are left behind if others with abilities abandon them?
Answer 1: I answer that by the example of those who flee and what they should do if God opens a door. However, if it is argued that they cannot flee, I respond as follows.
Answer 2: Firstly, even if they cannot flee, they can be confirmed in the truth by others who depart and are willing to suffer for the truth in their departures. This may have a greater impact than numerous exhortations.
Answer 3: Lastly, I answer that if God closes the door for them to flee and opens doors for others, even if their abilities and graces are weak, if they remain faithful, they can confidently expect that God will provide for them and bless them with more assistance than those with strong abilities and graces could have anticipated if they had not taken the path that God opened for them.
Objection 7: But if men would stay a while, the clouds may blow over, but they are fearful and cannot stay.
Answer: To that, I answer that we should be glad that those who remain may enjoy what we do and bless God for it. Even if we cannot enjoy it for the present, we should still value the opportunity to partake in the ordinances for a year more than compensating for the loss of our estates throughout our lives. Thus, we have concluded the eighth particular in addressing this case of conscience. However, to provide further guidance to Christians in this matter, there are several considerations for how we should conduct ourselves when we flee.
Firstly, when we are compelled to flee danger, we should ensure that we leave behind as little guilt in that place as possible. Let us strive to cleanse the guilt that we have brought upon that place, for all of us have not only burdened our consciences but also burdened the place where we resided. Reflect on whether it was our concern to remove the guilt from that place, and if it was not, let us now mourn for our sins so that they may not bring judgment upon the location.
Furthermore, in the place where we have taken refuge, let us conduct ourselves in a manner that upholds the name of God. We should not give others reason to say, "These are the people who flee for religion, but do they live accordingly?" Instead, let us strive to walk in such a way that they may say, "These individuals who have conscientious convictions surely came here for the sake of their beliefs. Their conduct aligns with their profession." We have a notable example of some who came from another country for the sake of religion but behaved in an offensive manner, causing great harm to the reputation of God's name. The heathens said, "These are the people of the Lord who have gone out of His land" (Ezekiel 36:20). Although we may not be among heathens, those who flee from their own country and then profane the name of God in another country provide an opportunity for the people among whom they seek refuge to say, "Look at these individuals who have left their own land, professing to be the people of the Lord and fleeing for religion. See what kind of people they are." Thus, God's name is dishonoured. Let us be cautious not to give any occasion for the people with whom we live to make such remarks about us, as the ones who have fled for the sake of religion.
3. We must be careful to conduct ourselves as those who have fled for the sake of religion, as exiled people who are detached from
worldly things.
We should be content with whatever circumstances God calls us to. Should we complain when we encounter troubles? That would indicate that we have overly sensitive spirits, expecting to escape all difficulties when we flee from great danger.
4. When we have fled, we should strive to cultivate a contented mindset and walk in obedience to God. We should offer praise to God as if we were in the greatest prosperity we could have experienced in our own country. We should not let any inconveniences dampen our spirits but maintain a sense of freedom in God's service. We find a remarkable expression from David when we compare two Psalms, Psalm 57 and Psalm 108.
Psalm 57 was written when David fled from Saul and was in a cave. Notice how David's spirit remained steadfast. He was not discouraged or numb like many who come from comfortable homes and are now forced to live in cramped and dark places.
Their hearts start to complain about the lack of fresh air and the luxurious living they once had. However, David was different.
Despite being in a poor and dark cave, he considered it the shadow of God's wings. Furthermore, he proclaimed, "I will cry to God Most High," even though he was brought low and in a humble state. He acknowledged his connection to the exalted
God who accomplishes all things. Did God fulfill all things for David? God had promised David the kingdom, yet David found himself in a desperate situation, having to fend for his life in a lowly cave. Still, David declared that he would cry out to the God who fulfills all things for him. He believed that God would send salvation from heaven, even though he was in a dark place (verse
5). He exalted God above the heavens and desired His glory to surpass all the earth (verse 7). David's heart was resolute, fixed
on God. He would sing and offer praise. These sentiments were expressed while he was in the cave. If we compare this with Psalm 108, which was a psalm of thanksgiving and rejoicing that David composed upon his deliverance, we find the same expressions that David had within the cave. He continued to bless God's name for the great deliverance. This teaches us an important lesson: the attitude of our hearts in times of great blessings should be the same attitude we seek to maintain in our submission to God when we have fled from danger.
5. Furthermore, it is crucial for us to maintain fervency in our hearts and spirits for God even after we have been delivered from the danger we once feared. We should keep the same fervency of love for God and His truth that we had during the time of danger. Many people, when faced with the threat of enemies and overcome by fear, experience a great fervency and zeal for God and His truth. They rejoice when they can gather together to fast, pray, or hear a sermon. However, once they are in a place of safety, their hearts become dull and lifeless. When they gather for prayer or to discuss the word, their spirits lack the same fervency as before. May the Lord preserve us from such a state.
6. Additionally, let us strive to contribute to the well-being of the place we have fled from, whether through our prayers or in any other way possible. Just as the people of God, even when they were away from their own country, remembered Jerusalem, so should we. We owe much gratitude to God for the good we have experienced in that place.
7. Lastly, let us view the hiding place God has provided to deliver us from danger as a preparation for even greater dangers. We should not assume that everything is fine just because we have avoided some danger and found temporary safety. Instead, our concern should be to use those places that serve as hiding spots from one danger as preparation for facing greater dangers in the future. By following these directions, we will honour God in our fleeing and have no reason to regret our choices. With this, we conclude our response to the conscience dilemma concerning fleeing.