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I. Consider some of the OCCASIONS WHICH CALL FOR THE EXERCISE OF THIS GRACE.

1. It requires courage to be able to withstand persecution for conscience sake.

2. You will need courage to bear reproach for Christ's sake.

3. You will need courage to act up to your convictions of duty in your own family and in the world at large.

4. You will need courage to resist temptation.

5. Courage is necessary to confess Christ in the presence of the rich and powerful, and of all who are exalted above you in station and influence. "I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings," said David, "and will not be ashamed." And what noble courage was displayed by Daniel, and by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!

6. It may be that some of you will need courage to venture your life at the call of duty. You may need it for the right discharge of your business. You may need it to act vigorously in endeavouring to save the lives of others.

7. You will need courage to resist the mere apprehension of evil.

8. You will need courage to bear the evils of life while they are actually pressing on you.

9. You will need courage to meet the last enemy.

II. In order, then, to the attainment of this necessary grace of courage, or, which is the same thing, in order to your preservation from sinful fear, let the following BRIEF DIRECTIONS be considered and followed:

1. Begin with a well-founded hope in God's mercy, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Without this, though you may be free from fear, you must be exposed to the most awful danger; and, therefore, though you may be foolhardy, you cannot be rationally and scripturally courageous. But, if God be "on your side," as the Psalmist expresses it, then you need "not fear what man can do unto you."

2. Endeavour, next, after a very firm trust in God's providence. Remember that the slightest evil cannot befall you without your heavenly Father, and believe that He causes all things to work together for your good.

3. Reflect on the noble examples of courage which are recorded in Scripture.

4. Vex not yourselves with fears as to the future, but give yourselves to the duties of the present.

5. Consider the exhortations and promises of the Word of God, and have the substance of all, and the very words of many of them, in your memory. They abound to this effect throughout Scripture, especially in Isaiah, and the Psalms.

6. Think of the confession that awaits you from the Lord, and the crown of glory which will be yours, at last, if you be faithful. He assures you that He will confess you before His Father and the holy angels: and He says to each of you, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Think often of this; and the thought will far more than counterbalance any reproach, or opposition, you may meet with here. And, finally, mindful of your own weakness, and how certainly both your strength and courage would fail if you were left to yourselves, be much in prayer to God for this grace of holy courage.

(James Foote, M. A.)

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KJV: Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

WEB: "I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God;