If I Could Be a Martyr

If I could be a martyr,
I’d sooner die indeed

If I could be a martyr,
I’d sooner die indeed
For love shown to my brothers,
Then sticking by my creed.

The truth is all important,
And doctrine comes from God,
And I would never slight it
To thus escape the rod.

Yet there is something greater
Than fine theology;
These three are yet abiding:
Faith, hope, and charity.

The tenor of the Scriptures
Speaks mainly to the heart;
To love and to live godly
Do form the greater part.

So be it in my conduct
And not in word alone
While holding firm my doctrine,
For love let me be known.

I can as willingly be a martyr for love as for
any article of the creed.  Richard Baxter

Nita Brainard