or doubt of it,
then be silent--speak no more with them, and let them go--only say,
"I will give you my reasons out of Scripture. If you will believe
that, it is well; if not, I will give you no others." But do you say,
"Must God's word be treated with such shame?" Leave that to God. So
you see that this matter should be well apprehended, and we should
know how to meet those who now rise up and present such
objections.--It follows:

_With meekness and fear._ That is, if you are examined and questioned
of your faith, you should not answer with haughty words, and proceed
in the matter with contempt and violence, as if you would tear up a
tree by the roots, but with such fear and humility as if you stood
before God's tribunal, and were there to give answer; for if it were
now to happen that you should be examined before king and princes,
and had well prepared yourself a long time therefor with replies, and
thus thinking with yourself, "Deliberate, I will answer him
correctly," then shall it be a happy experience for you,--though the
devil take the sword out of your hands, and give you a blow, so that
you stand in shame, and have put on your armor in vain, and he can
fairly take out of your hands the reply you have carefully composed,
so that it fails you even though you have it fairly in your mind,
because he has beforehand tracked out your thoughts. Even this God
suffers to take place, that he may subdue your pride and make you
humble.

So, if you would avoid such an experience, you must stand in fear,
and not rely on your own strength, but on the word and promise of
Christ, Matt. x. 19--"But when they deliver you up, take no thought
how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same
hour what ye shall speak; for it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit
of your Father which speaketh in you." It is right, when you are to
answer, that you should prepare yourself well with passages out of
Scripture; but beware that you do not insist thereon with a proud
spirit, since God will even take the most forcible reply out of your
mouth and memory, though you were previously prepared with all your
replies. Therefore, fear is proper. And so, if you are summoned, then
may you answer for yourself before princes and lords, and even the
devil himself. Only beware that it be not the vanity of men, but the
word of God.

V. 16. _Having a good conscience, that whereas they speak evil of you
as of evil-doers, they may be