thy integrity? Curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh: what? &c. In all this did not Job sin with his lips.-Job ii. 9, 10.

All this is come upon us: yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way. Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. If we have forgotten the name of our God, &c.-Ps. xliv. 17-20.

The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law, &c. Many are my persecutors, and mine enemies: yet do I not decline from thy testimonies, &c. princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.-Ps. cxix. 51. 157. 161. The Lord spake thus to me, with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people; saying, Say ye not, a confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy: neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts. himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary.-Isa. viii. 11-14.

When Jeremiah had prophesied against Judah, then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes, and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, &c. Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes, and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house, &c. therefore now amend your ways, &c. But as for me, behold, I am in your hand; do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. -Jer. xxvi. 11—15.

requested of the prince of the eunuchs, that he might not defile himself, &c. and desired pulse to eat, and water to drink.-Dan. i. 8-13.

Daniel (when a captive in Babylon) purposed in his heart, that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: and therefore he

When a strict law had been made by the king, that every one should fall down and worship the golden image he had set up, under pain of being cast into the fiery furnace; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to do it, and in the presence of the king, said, We are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, &c. and he will, &c. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.-Dan. iii. 13—18.

When a decree was passed, That whosoever should ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of the king, he should be cast into the lions' den; and Daniel knew that the writing was signed: he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, as he did aforetime.-Dan. vi. 7-10.

Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved, &c. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me, &c. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me, &c. He that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.-Matt. x. 22. 37— 39. xvi. 24-26. xi. 6.

He heareth the word, and anon with joy received it: yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.—Matt. xiii. 20, 21.

When Christ was taken, his disciples fled: Peter denied him; but afterwards wept bitterly for his so doing.-Matt. xxvi. 56. 70. 72.74, 75.

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation:

of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.-Mark viii. 38. John ix. 21, 22.

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. -John xvi. 1. Gal. v. 11. vi. 12.

When the apostles had been commanded not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus, they said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.-Acts iv. 18-20.

Again: when they were charged with preaching, contrary to command, the apostles said, We ought to obey God rather than men. And they preached Christ before the council, who caused them to be beaten, and gave them a new charge not to preach: yet they daily, in the temple, and in every house, ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.-Acts vi. 27-42.

None of these things move me, &c. so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord.-Acts xx. 24.

I am ready, not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.-Acts xxi. 13.

Paul, before Felix, said, After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers.-Acts xxiv. 14.

If I preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offence of the cross ceased. -Gal. v. 11. vi. 12.

Many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear, &c. That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries. Phil. i. 14. 27, 28.

am not ashamed.—2 Tim. i. 8. 12. Heb. xiii. 13.

If we suffer, &c. If we deny him, he will also deny us.-2 Tim. ii. 12.

Nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.—Heb. xii. 5.

Be thou not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, &c. I suffer these things; nevertheless, I

If any many suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God.-1 Pet. iv. 16.

Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.-Jude 3. Thou shalt suffer, &c. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.-Rev. ii. 10. xii. 11.

that judgment must begin, &c.—1 Pet. iv. 12, 13. 16, 17.

:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, &c. but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also, &c. If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this behalf: for the time is come,

Let us go forth therefore unto him, without the camp, bearing his reproach.-Heb. xiii. 13.

VI. To call upon the Lord for Help, Support, and Salvation.

Jacob, in his distress, when Esau pursued him, prayed earnestly, &c.— Gen. xxxii. 8, &c.

Jacob in his great distress, when Joseph had kept Simeon, and required Benjamin also, said, God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin: if I be bereaved, &c.

Gen. xliii. 14.

The children of Israel lift up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them, and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.-Exod. xiv. 10.

When all the waters were bitter, that the people could not drink, Moses cried unto the Lord.-Exod. xv. 23-25.

Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me, &c. So when Amalek fought with Israel, Moses held up his hand, and then Israel prevailed, &c. — Exod. xvii. 4. 11, 12.

If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry.-Exod. xxii. 23.

The Lord shall scatter you among the nations, &c. But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him; if thou seek him with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.-Deut. iv. 27. 29.

When Israel were delivered into the hand of their enemies, they cried unto the Lord; and the Lord raised up a deliverer. Judges iii. 8, 9. x. 13, 14. 2 Chron. xv. 3, 4. 1 Sam. vi. 16.

Hannah was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.-1 Sam. i. 9—13.

When there came an host of one thousand thousand against Judah, Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, &c.-2 Chron. xiv. 9. 12.

There came a multitude against Jehoshaphat, &c. He feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation, and said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God? &c. 2 Chron. xx. 2, &c.

When Manasseh was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, &c. and prayed unto him; and he was intreated of him. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 11 -13. Job xxxvi. 8, 9.

I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction. — Job x. 15. Ps. ix. 13.

He heareth the cry of the afflicted. -Job xxxiv. 28. Ps. cii. 17.

The hypocrites in heart cry not when he bindeth them.-Job xxxvi. 13.

O Lord save me from all them that persecute me; and deliver me.-Ps. vii. 1.

despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him: but when he cried unto him, he heard.-Ps. xxii. 4, 5. 24. cvii. 6. 13.

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.-Ps. xxxiv. 4. 6. 17. xxxv.

Our fathers, &c. cried unto thee, and were delivered &c. He hath not

The Psalmist prays for help and salvation in such a time.-Ps. xxxviii. 20-22. xxxix. 10. 13. lxix. 14, 15. lxxxviii. cxliii. 7—9.

For thy sake are we killed all the day long, &c. Awake; why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever! Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction ? &c. -Ps. xliv. 22-26. lxxiv. 9-11.

Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.-Ps. 1. 15.

David prays earnestly in his low condition, for joy and comfort.-Ps. li. 7, &c.

I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.-Ps. cxviii. 5. exxx. 1. cxlii. 1, &c.

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; he turneth it whithersoever he will.Prov. xxi. 1.

The Church, in her low condition, prays earnestly; Look down, &c.— Isa. lxiii. 15-19. Ps. lxxiv. 9-11. Isa. Ixiv. 8, 9.

Lord, correct me, but with judgment: not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.—Jer. x. 24.

I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon, &c.-Lam. iii. 55. 59, &c.

Daniel, and his fellows, in his great strait and danger about the

faith shall save the sick.-James v. 13-15.

See more of Duties in common calamities.

Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray, &c. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, &c. and the prayer of

VII. Not to fear; but commit their cause to God, and quietly wait for his Salvation.

He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.-Heb. xiii. 5, 6.

Israel's impatience in waiting for God, made them quarrel with Moses; and Moses, with God; although God was in his own way delivering them.

Exod. v. 21-23.

The children of Israel said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? &c. And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not; stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you this day, &c. The Lord shall fight for you.-Exod. xiv. 10-14.

Because of Israel's unbelief, and impatience in waiting for God, they were not suffered to enter Canaan ; only their children, of whom they had said, They should be a prey, they did possess the land.-Deut. i. 32-39.

As an encouragement, we should remember what God hath done formerly.-Deut. vii. 17-19.

And David was greatly distressed, &c. but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.-1 Sam. xxx. 6. xvii. 34-37.

It may be that the Lord will look upon my affliction ; and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.-2 Sam. xvi. 12.

Elisha said, when the city was environed with enemies, Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them, &c. But when there was a famine in Samaria, the king (because deliverance hastened not) said, Behold, this evil is of the Lord: what should I