Why should I, as a gospel preacher, contend so earnestly for the historical faith of the Christian Church? Hear the words of William Jenkyn on Jude verse three. “’You should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.’ The contention to which Jude exhorts these Christians is an eminent and extraordinary one. The word contend means to strive, to fight, to labor fervently; it is a contention which requires all their strength and utmost force, they are to be as those who fought for their lives, nay, that which was dearer than life itself, even the life of their souls. “This imports a serious and weighty cause and ground for contention. Men account not trifles worth any, much less vehement strife; it is for the faith that we must contend vigorously, fervently, with all our might (II Timothy 4:5-7). A lazy, slender, slight contention will not serve the turn. Luke-warmness neither pleases our Captain, nor prevails over our adversary. Holy fervor is never so fitting as in contending for a holy faith. Indifference better becomes our worldly contentions between man and man, than spiritual contentions between men and devils. We must contend for the faith against error universally, impartially, for every doctrine of faith, and against every opposite error. “Moderation is not always commendable. Moderation that hinders a real earnest contending for the faith is no better than loathsome luke-warmness. I fear there is much neutrality, sinful halting and indifference gilded over with the name moderation. He who is not for Christ is against Him. There may be a sinful, damnable moderation; following Christ far off in this world is no sign that we shall be near Him in the next. No man will be afraid of being too professed a Christian at the Day of Judgment, or will think he has lost too much for Christ when he is to presently lose all things by death. If the time wherein we live be a night of profaneness, it is our duty the more brightly to shine as lights. A Christian should be best when the times are worst. Cursed be that patience that can see error and say nothing. “The Apostle saith that ‘the mouths of deceivers are to be stopped, and gainsayers must be convinced.’ I know now how it comes to pass, but among many the opposing of seducers is either accounted bitter or needless; and it is still the policy of Satan not to permit a sword in Israel. But if there be damnable heresies (II Peter 2:1), I see not but there may be a damnable silence in those who should oppose them. Everyone must give account for his idle words, and for his idle silence.” Jenkyn, a mighty puritan divine, died in a London prison on January 19, 1685. We are told that when the news reached the court a nobleman in waiting had the courage to tell James II, “May it please your majesty, Jenkyn has got his liberty.” Upon which the king asked with surprise, “Aye, who gave it Him?” The nobleman replied, “A greater than your majesty, the King of Kings.”
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