Insufficient Reasons for Delay

Even among those who cherish a persuasion that they are born of God, there are some who debar themselves from this privi* lege. They plead that it is possible to live as a Christian without a public declaration of it; that they are not yet acknowledged by the world as reformed persons; that cases of apostasy are numerous; that they feai lest they should dishonour their profession; or that they wish to put themselves upon a long course of trial. In many cases, these reasons are prompted by a secret unwillingness to take up the cross. When the love of Christ is in the heart, it ought to be made public by an open confession. In the early Church there was no such thing as owning Christ and yet living separate from his people. There is danger in postponing this act upon slight grounds, and some have been known to linger thus all their days. If there is sin in hasty profession, there is also sin in neglecting the dying command of Jesus; and if fear of the world’s opinion be the motive, that threatening should be well considered: ‘’For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man bo ashamed when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. “*

♦Liike9:26.