48. That gospel integrity towards God is the best security against wicked men

Another principle that a believer should walk by, is this: That gospel integrity towards God is the best security against wicked men.

Surly mastiffs, which have no teeth, may bark, but they cannot bite. Who would fear the hissing serpent, if he knew it had no sting? A naked man with innocence, is preferable to Goliah with his coat of mail.

And who is he that shall harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? As no flattery can heal a bad conscience, so no cruelty can wound a good one. As the ways of God have happiness connected with them, so sufferings for the sake of God have honour annexed to them. A pious martyr has more renown than a bloody persecutor.

Integrity may not keep us from supposed infamy. The choicest professors have had their black marks in the world's calendars. But though it may not keep us from being shot at, yet it will preserve us from injury. The Lord taketh my part with them that help me; therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. God will either find a shield to ward off sufferings, or a hand to sustain us under them. Though the Christian be as a sheep among wolves, God can save him from being rent by them; or as a ship amidst waves, he can keep him from being overwhelmed by them. Let us not, therefore, bury a church before she is dead. It is time enough to put on mourning, when God invites us to her funeral.

For I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of Israel, thy Saviour; I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Thus, whether he pluck up the tares, or let them stand, it is only for the sake of his people. Noah was sound in the faith, when all the earth was polluted; and he was saved in the ark, while it was deluged.

Upon all the glory shall be a defence. There is nothing but the glory worth keeping; and there is none of the glory that shall be wanting. The shields of salvation are not hung up in the way of transgression. All the wiles of hell cannot conquer a single soldier in Christ's camp, much less rout his whole army.

The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, both for sublimity and security. When Christ is our harbour, we may safely run our vessels into so desirable a retreat.

A garden enclosed, is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. As God numbers the hairs of his people, he must needs preserve their heads. He has a strong hedge of protection for them, when their enemies would break in upon them.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Here is a dangerous voyage, but a safe convoy. God never deals with his friends as we do with ours. We serve them too often as we do dials; which we only look upon when the sun of prosperity shines; or as ladies do with flowers, who, while they are gay, place them in their bosoms; but when they fade, cast them away. But when our want is greatest, God's help is nearest. The more grievous our oppression, the more glorious is our deliverance.

When our misery is most powerful, then the Lord's mercy is most visible. When our night is the darkest, our day is the clearest. When our ebb is the lowest, our flood is the highest. As our tribulations abound, so our consolations much more abound.

When God's benignity is most admired, our calamity is more easy endured. Israel often slumbers and sleeps; but He that keepeth Israel does neither. Thus we may boldly say, 'If God be for us, who shall be against us?' Against us they may be, to hate us; but against us they shall not be, to hurt us.

Noah rides safely in a well-pitched ark, while the old world is drowned. When Israel is led captive, Jeremiah is set at liberty. The prophet found more favour from the princes of Babel, than from the people of Israel. Gideon's fleece was wet, while all the earth was dry. Thus will God always preserve integrity, and punish vanity. His grain is often gathered into the garner, before he comes to burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

20.