+I. Distinguish Christian boldness from its counterfeits, and set
forth some of its leading attributes.+--There is a false and hurtful
boldness arising from--1. _Ignorance._ 2. _A bad judgment._
3. _Native rashness._ 4. _The pride of courage which scorns to fear
the face of man._ 5. _Mere natural resolution._ 6. _A wilful
obstinacy._ 7. _A domineering spirit._ The boldness which God
approves must be chiefly drawn from other sources and possess higher
and more ethereal attributes. 1. _It must be bottomed on holy
love_--love to God and love to man. 2. _It must be humble._ 3. _Must
be delicate and regardful of all the rules of decorum._ 4. _Must be
wise, discreet, and prudent._ 5. _Must be faithful._ 6. _Must be
grounded not merely on self-denial and submission to the will of God,
but on humble confidence in Him._
+II. Some motives to rouse us to this holy and elevated frame and to
a corresponding course of conduct.+--1. _This Christian heroism is
absolutely necessary to clear up the evidences of our own piety._
2. _Without rising up to this heroic and active zeal we cannot be
faithful to God and our generation._ 3. _Estimate the importance of
this duty by considering what would be the effect if all professing
Christians were thus intrepid and faithful._ 4. _In many instances
fear is altogether groundless, and is the mere suggestion of
indolence._ 5. _For want of faithful admonition and entreaty many may
have perished.--E. D. Griffin._