Steadfastness

"Dr. Harris, the minister of Hanwell, during the civil wars, frequently had military officers quartered at his house. A party of them being unmindful of the respect due to the minister of religion, indulged themselves in swearing. The doctor noticed this, and on the following Sunday preached from these words: "Above all things, my brethren, swear not." This so enraged the soldiers, who judged the sermon was intended for them, that they swore they would shoot him if he preached on the subject again. He was not however to be intimidated; and on the following Sunday he not only preached from the same text, but inveighed in still stronger terms against the vice of swearing. As he was preaching, a soldier levelled his carbine at him; but he went on to the conclusion of his sermon without the slightest fear or hesitation."