Persecution of the Church (2)

In this world, when it is for his glory and for our good, he will bring righteousness to light as the noonday (Psa. 37:6). He will free us from the accusations that the world lays on us. Then the world will see that we are not the profane, bitter, malicious persons, led by the spirit of the devil, that they charge us to be.
Let us take no indignation at the present afflictions of the church. Christ will justify his mystical body by his glorious power in good time. Antichrist will not always swagger in the world. Christ will be shown to be the King and Ruler of the world. 'All authority has been given him' (Matt. 28:18). But we see antichrist raging in the world, and the church seems to be under siege. Let us comfort ourselves, beloved. Christ justified himself by his Spirit, and will he not justify his poor church, and free it from tyranny of antichrist? He will advance those that are trodden on now and made as the dirt in the street, so that 'they will shine as the sun' (Dan. 12:3). Therefore, when you hear of the dejected state of the churches abroad, do not be dismayed. Consider there is a glorious King who rules the world, and he will make it known before long. He is wise and he is working his own work. He corrects and rules and purges his church in the furnace of affliction. But be sure the time will come that he will bring the cause of religion to light, and he will show what side he owns; he will tread Satan and all his members underfoot. The present condition of things will not hold long. As verily as Christ is in heaven, as verily as he has conquered in his own person, so he will by his Spirit conquer for his church. 

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Fountain Opened, Works, vol. 5, pp. 492
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