The word and article of justification (how we are justified and saved
before God) expelleth and overcometh all sorrow, all perplexities,
misfortunes, and adversities; and without this article there is neither
help nor advice.
We read in the histories of the Church, said Luther, that Julian the
Emperor forced his servants and soldiers to deny Christ; but when many of
them refused to do the same, he caused them to be executed with the
sword, and they went joyfully to their deaths. Among them was a proper
youth, for whom earnest intercession was made, that he might be the first
to die. But Julian commanded to release him, in order to try whether he
would remain constant or no. Now, when he kneeled down and offered his
neck to the block, the executioner was charged not to strike, but to let
him rise again. Then the youth stood up, and said, “Ah, sweet Jesu! am I
not worthy to suffer for thy sake?” These were words of a great faith,
which overcometh the fear of death.
When governors and rulers are enemies to God’s Word, then our duty is to
depart, to sell and forsake all we have, to fly from one place to
another, as Christ commandeth. We must make and prepare no uproars nor
tumults by reason of the Gospel, but we must suffer all things.
_What Christ Requireth of us_.
Christ requireth nothing more of us, than that we should confess him, and
speak freely and undauntedly of him. But here thou wilt say, “Yea, if I
do so, then I shall be struck on the lips.” Christ answereth thereunto,
and saith, “Call upon me in the time of trouble, so I will hear thee, and
thou shalt praise me.” And “He shall call upon me, and I will hear him,
yea, I am with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and bring him to
honour,” etc.
There is no lighter nor more easy work on earth than the upright and true
service of God, to do what God commandeth in his Word; we should only
believe and speak, but then certain it is that we shall suffer and be
humbled with persecutions; but Christ hath promised to be with us, and to
help us.
_That every Christian is Bound to Confess Christ_.
Every Christian, especially those in offices, should always be ready
(when need requireth) boldly to stand up and confess his Saviour Christ,
to maintain his faith and always be armed against the world, the
sectaries, the devil, and what else he were able to produce. But no man
will do this, except he be so sure of his doctrine and religion, that,
although I myself should play the fool, and should recant and deny this
my doctrine and religion, which God forbid, he notwithstanding would not
yield, but say, if Luther, or an angel from heaven, should teach
otherwise, “Let him be accursed.”