Saints Compared to Lions

    SAINTS COMPARED TO LIONS

    "The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are as bold as a Lion" Pr 28:1.

    "And the remnant of Jacob shall be as a Lion," &c. Mic 5:8.

    SIMILE

    The godly are compared to Lions.

    SIMILE

    I. A Lion is a very magnanimous and courageous creature; he will not fly from his enemies; he turneth not away for fear of any.

    PARALLEL

    I. So the Saints of God are full of spiritual courage; they are not dismayed at the threats of men, "I will not fear what man can do unto me:" "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;" "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," Ps 27:3. Hence they are said to be as bold as a Lion. "Shall such a man as I flee?" Ne 6:11.

    Quest. But some may say, wherein doth the courage of the godly appear? wherein are they as bold as a Lion?

    Answ. In their being valiant and courageous for the truth. And this they show forth many ways.

    1. By their speaking for it when others speak against it. God's truth, his way, and people are commonly derided, and spoken against; and he that is a sincere and valiant Christian, will, at all times, when he sees there is need for it, vindicate it, and speak in the behalf thereof.

    2. In their endeavouring to clear it from reproach and infamy. The way or truth of God is frequently reproached. (1.) It is called error and heresy: "After that way you call heresy, so worship I the God of my Fathers," &c., Ac 24:14. (2.) It is called sedition. Hence Paul was accused for being a mover of sedition, Ac 24:5. (3.) It is commonly called a new doctrine: "We would know what this new doctrine whereof thou speakest is," Ac 17:19.

    3. They show their courage in contending earnestly for the truth; they will dispute and argue out the matter in behalf of truth, and not give up the justness and goodness of their cause, as long as they are able to stand by it, or by force of argument to maintain it. Paul upon this account saith, "he fought with beasts at Ephesus," i.e. men like beasts, who acted like beasts in opposing the truth, 1Co 15:32.

    4. In their visible professing and public owning of the truth. They are not afraid nor ashamed to confess Christ and his ways before men. Some for fear of the Jews did not publicly own Jesus Christ in the days of his flesh; but such who are sincere will go forth, bearing his reproach, Heb 13:13. Though men forbid them, nay threaten them, &c., yet they will preach Jesus Christ, and profess his name, and maintain his ordinances, and blessed institutions. The apostles cried out, "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard," &c. Ac 4:20; 5:29.

    5. They show their courage in suffering for the truth, when called so to do. (1.) They will suffer reproach for the truth. (2.) They will suffer blows for the truth. (3.) Imprisonment for the truth. (4.) Loss of their goods. (5.) Banishment. (6.) Yea, death itself, when called to it, rather than deny Christ, and the truth.

    6. They will stand by the truth, when others turn their backs upon it. Thus did Paul.

    7. They will maintain every truth, but more especially that truth which is most opposed in the day in which they live. It may be no demonstration of courage, to stand up for, or maintain a truth in one age, which was a great proof of valour in another, when it was chiefly opposed. Would it be any sign of spiritual courage now, to affirm God is God, and Baal is not? yet that was in Elijah's days, 1Ki 18:Or would it be any demonstration of courage now, to affirm Jesus of Nazareth to be the true Saviour? yet it was in the apostle's time, because it was the great truth then opposed. Christian courage is now shewed, by owning and maintaining those truths of Christ now opposed, and which in standing by, do expose the professors thereof.

    Now that which doth animate and embolden the Saints in the day of trial, in standing up for Christ, and his ways, is:

    (1.) The satisfaction they have touching the truth of that which they profess. It is God's truth.

    (2.) The consideration of the excellency of God's truth: "The word of God is pure," &c., Ps 119:140.

    (3.) The consideration of the goodness and justness of their call to suffer in behalf of truth; for that is one thing which must always be considered.

    (4.) The goodness of their consciences, or the evidences of their own sincerity, a hypocrite may suffer some things, but at last his courage will fail him. I have heard of a captain, that principally would make choice of two sorts of men for his soldiers, viz., either sincere and godly Christians, or downright atheists, because neither of them, he concluded, would be afraid to die: the true Christian would not be afraid of death, because he knew he should go to Christ; and the atheist would not be afraid of death, because he thought, or rather hoped, he should die as a beast, and there would be an end of him.

    (5.) The consideration of his having so good a second. A courageous and undaunted second oftentimes puts fresh courage into -a person that is singled out to fight a duel. Now a Christian has the Almighty and terrible God to take his part, &c.

    "Fear not, worm Jacob, I will help thee," &c., Isa 41:14. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me," Heb 13:5-6.

    (6.) The certainty of getting the victory, or overcoming at last. As it is said of Gad, it may be said of a Christian, "though a troop may overcome him, yet he shall overcome at last." Hence Saints are said to be "more than conquerors," Ro 8:37. For no conqueror is certain, whilst he is in the conflict, that he shall at last obtain the conquest.

    (7.) The consideration of that exceeding great reward, which they shall receive when they have overcome, wonderfully adds courage and boldness unto them. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I wiil give thee a crown of life,"Re 2:10.

    METAPHOR

    II. Lions are great conquerors. Many other beasts, though they be much bigger than they, yet they be not able to stand before them.

    PARALLEL

    II. Saints are great conquerors; through Christ they conquer sin, Satan, the world, death, and hell; they are said to be "more than conquerors," Ro 8:37.

    METAPHOR

    III. A Lion is a creature that other beasts are afraid of.

    PARALLEL

    III. So the Saints are men that the wicked oft-times fear; they dread the effects of their prayers. It is said, that Mary Queen of Scots was more afraid of the prayer of John Knox, than of an army of twenty thousand men. Herod was afraid of John Baptist. It hath been observed, that some wicked persons have been afraid to swear, or carry it unseemly, in the presence of a godly man.

    METAPHOR

    IV. A Lion is a very strong creature.

    PARALLEL

    IV. The saints are so strong in the Lord, and the power of his might, that none, either in earth or hell, are a match for them.

    METAPHOR

    V. A Lion treadeth down, and maketh a prey of his enemies.

    PARALLEL

    V. So the godly shall in the latter days make a prey of all their adversaries, be as terrible as an army with banners, when God brings them forth against Babylon. "God will raise up the sons of Zion against the sons of Greece, and make them as the sword of a mighty man." "The remnant of Jacob shall be amongst the Gentiles, in the midst of many people, as a Lion amongst the beasts of the forest, amongst a flock of sheep, who if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver," Song 6:10; Ec 9:13; Mic 5:8.

    DISPARITY

    IN many things the righteous are not like to a lion. A Lion hath many evil, devouring, and hurtful qualities, and is upon that account wicked men and the devils are compared to Lions.

    INFERENCES

    I. IN vain are the Saints by men and devils assaulted; he that prevails against them, must also prevail against, and overcome the mighty God; and who is a match for him!

    II. This reproves, and may tend to the shame the timorous Christian. What! afraid to own Christ, to stand up for, and stand by the truth, when thou hast God to stand up for thee, and stand by thee! &c.

    III. Let Saints show themselves bold and courageous in the cause and interest of God, and their souls. A fearful timorous spirit becomes not a Christian. Have you a good cause? Have you a good call? Have you a good conscience? Have you a good captain? What then do you fear? In the strength of the Lord, be as bold as a Lion; and in order thereunto, get the truth into your affections, see that you have received the truth in the love of it: and be sure you approve yourselves to be sincere; for it is sincerity that emboldens a Christian, and makes him valiant.