And "should tribulation arise, because of the word;" should those days be at hand, which, we are told, _will_ arrive, before the end cometh,--when "there shall be on earth distress of nations with perplexity," and "men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming upon the earth."[22] Should these days be at hand, look back for your _direction_ and _encouragement_ upon that cloud of witnesses, who through faith have obtained the promises. Recollect, how the Jewish youths walked unhurt, through the presence of the Saviour with them, amid the flames of Nebuchadnezzar's furnace--how "their faith quenched the violence of fire."[23] Recollect how the faith of Daniel "stopped the mouths of lions."[24] Recollect how the faith of the Apostle Paul enabled him to say, in the face of bonds, and imprisonment, and death, "none of these things move me;" neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel of the grace of God."[25] Recollect how thousands of others, "of whom the world was not worthy," were enabled to go to the cross, to the rack, and to the stake--"rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."[26] And bear in mind, that the same faith in a crucified Saviour, which made them "more than conquerors," and secured to them, "through the blood of the Lamb," a crown of immortality and life,--if it produce in you similar effects, "working in you both to will and to do of God's good pleasure, whatsoever is well pleasing in his sight," and making you willing "to suffer the loss of all things," rather than rebel against any ordinance of man, or disobey any precepts of God, is still able to secure for you a similar victory. Never be induced, therefore, by any artifices, or any threatenings of the enemies of God's truth, to let go your dependance on the Saviour, or to renounce your allegiance to his laws; but, "building up yourselves in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life;"[27] and then will the promise at last be yours--"if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him."[28] THE END. J. Dennett, Printer, Leather Lane, London. FOOTNOTES: [1] Jude, ver. 8 and 19. [2] Psal. xii. 1. [3] Prov. viii. 15. [4] See Dan. iii. 16, &c. [5] See Dan. vi. [6] Acts v. 29. [7] Prov. xxiv. 21. [8] Matt. xii. 30. [9] Its exact situation is unknown, as modern travellers inform us that no traces of it now remain. [10] Isaiah i. 16, 17. [11] Rom. xiii. 2. [12] Rom. xiii. 7. [13] Psal. cxix. 60. [14] Rom. i. 16. [15] Rom. xiii. 5. [16] See 17th verse of chapter whence the text is taken, and Prov. xxiv. 21. [17] Ps. cxix. 128. [18] Gal. vi. 7. [19] 2 Thess. i. 8, 9, 10. [20] See Rom. xiii. 3, 4. [21] Heb. xiii. 17.