Christian’s Privilege
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able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord” (
Romans 8:35-39
).
Though Paul was at last confined in a Roman prison—shut away
from the light and air of heaven, cut off from his active labors in the
gospel, and momentarily expecting to be condemned to death—yet
he did not yield to doubt or despondency. From that gloomy dungeon
came his dying testimony, full of a sublime faith and courage that has
inspired the hearts of saints and martyrs in all succeeding ages. His
words fitly describe the results of that sanctification which we have in
these pages endeavored to set forth: “I am now ready to be offered,
and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them
also that love his appearing” (
2 Timothy 4:6-8
).