Chapter. 6. The Point prosecuted more strictly.
Sixthly, make sure to stay true to your principles so that it is evident that your actions stem from conscience and not from a rebellious attitude. If you claim that you cannot do certain things due to your conscience, but they observe you willingly engaging in other actions that clearly go against conscience, they will see that it is not about conscience but about stubbornness. However, if they see that there is nothing you dare do against the dictates of your conscience, they will understand that it is not out of disobedience towards them but out of obedience to conscience. Therefore, the more you are compelled to disobey in some matters, the more careful you should be to obey in whatever you can.
It is common for truly righteous individuals in positions of authority to strive for the execution of laws that promote God's glory. As a result, they may be considered overly zealous because of their dedication to upholding authority. Nevertheless, it should be the concern of all God's people to be obedient to authority in whatever ways they can.
Lastly, even if authority treats you harshly, be cautious not to entertain thoughts of revenge. Instead, entrust your cause to God, repay good for evil, and pray for those who persecute you.
With these guidelines in mind, you can discern the extent to which you should fear the wrath of the King and the displeasure of those in positions above you.
Chapter 6:
Pursuing the Point More Strictly But now we come to the point more rigorously: After you have observed these rules and followed these directions, you are to proceed resolutely, comfortably, and cheerfully in your journey.
Whatever may happen, you must not deviate in the slightest from what God requires of you, but continue without fear.
The Scriptures say about a righteous person, in Proverbs 28:1, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." If a person knows they are in the way of God, they should proceed boldly like a lion. In Proverbs 30:30, it says they should not turn aside from their path due to fear of any creature. We find in the Scriptures how the godly are praised for their determination and courage, as they do not fear mankind or any creature.
Consider the examples of three prophets: Elijah, Elisha, and Micaiah, as recorded in 1 Kings. When Elijah met Ahab, he said, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?" Elijah boldly responded, "I have not troubled
Israel, but you and your father's house have" (1 Kings 18:17-18).
Likewise, Elisha, when the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom came to him, declared, "If it were not for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you" (2 Kings 3:14).
Micaiah also exhibited courage when pressured to prophesy favorable things. He said, "As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak" (1 Kings 22:14). We could provide many more instances of Job and David displaying bravery, as they did not fear the wrath of man. Job expressed it well when he said, "Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence and did not go out of the door?" (Job 31:34). He was not afraid even though he lived among the wicked.
David also demonstrated great courage, as seen in Psalm 23 and others. Despite walking through the shadow of death and facing various trials, he would not be afraid. The Church of God also declares in Psalm 46:2-4, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling." They have the assurance of God's presence and the enjoyment of His ordinances, and thus they will not fear even amidst the turmoil in the world.
And so, regarding Jeremiah, as stated in Chapter 15, verse 12, "Can iron break the iron from the north, or the bronze?" Although those who opposed Jeremiah were as unyielding as iron, Jeremiah himself was to be as strong as steel when iron strikes against steel. It does not break, but rather it shines brighter. Therefore, all the opposition
Jeremiah faced from the powerful ones only served to strengthen his spirit. Likewise, in Daniel 3:16, the resolute spirit of the three young men is evident when they say, "We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter." Additionally, the words of Saint Paul in Acts 21:13 demonstrate his unwavering commitment: "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
We also have many expressions from the martyrs in the early times.
Justin Martyr, in his apology to Antonius Pius, declares, "We do not speak to deceive you, but for our own right. We can be harmed by no one; you can kill us, but not harm us. If, like madmen, you choose to uphold human customs over the truths of God, go ahead, we will not." I do not mention each speech of these servants of God as something to be imitated, as we do not know the spirits with which they were carried, but to demonstrate the strength of their spirits.
Furthermore, Ambrose, speaking to the Emperor, says, "Do not exalt yourself, O Emperor. If you truly wish to rule, be subject to God."
And when Theodosius, a righteous man, had been confronted by the people of Thessalonica and caused many of them to be killed,
Ambrose refused to give him the sacrament. Although Theodosius came to the church door, begging for it and prostrating himself on the ground, Ambrose stood firm and resisted him until genuine repentance was demonstrated to the Church.
Similarly, Chrysostom confronted Empress Eudoxia when she unjustly took someone else's vineyard. He prohibited her from receiving communion.
Likewise, Basil wrote to Julian the Apostate, saying, "Surely, if you understood what we wrote, you would not oppose it. But when I consider the dignity and crown you possess and the manner in which you use them, I tremble. They are intended for your honor, but they only bring you more dishonor."
And when Julian met Pagmelius, he said, "I thank God I see you."
When Pagmelius replied, "You cannot see," Julian said, "I thank God I cannot see, for you are an apostate."
A notable statement from Luther was when he was going to Worms to defend his faith. He said, "Even if all the tiles on the houses of Worms were devils, I would still go." Moreover, many women, though considered weak due to their gender, displayed great courage when faith came to them.
Thus, we can see through numerous examples from both scripture and ecclesiastical histories the courageous spirits of believers.