#92 To stand resolute

From The Pilgrim Road, compiled by David W. Bercot

Faithfulness is a virtue. Yet, we do not resist those who injure us, for we must yield to them. (Matt. 5:39) Yet, when men command us to disobey the law of God and to oppose what is right, we must choose the command of God over the command of men. And no threats or punishments should deter us.

For it is a virtue to scorn death. Not that we seek death, nor do we inflict it upon ourselves. That is what many of the distinguished philosophers did, but that is a wicked and ungodly thing. Nevertheless, when we are commanded to desert God and to betray our faith, we should prefer to suffer death. Thus with lofty and invincible minds we trample upon those things that others fear - pain and death. This is virtue: to stand resolute in this one thing alone - that no terror and no violence can turn us away from God.