I have an old hat that I've been wearing for a long time. It is a style once commonly worn by my father's generation but is rarely seen now. There have been times when I have felt a little self-conscious about that old hat, since nobody else wears one like it. But that feeling quickly leaves after I have worn that hat on a particularly cold day. It is well-worn, but warm and comfortable; and I'm not ready to give it up yet.
I have a gospel, THE GOSPEL, which I've been "wearing" for a good while now. It is the gospel that was believed by "the fathers" (and my father), but is rarely preached and believed now. It is THE gospel of THE sovereign GOD and His sovereign SON and SPIRIT, Who sovereignly and successfully saves all the elect. There have been times when I have felt a little self-conscious (even ashamed), since nobody else seemed to believe this gospel. But those feelings are quickly dispelled on a day when I feel particularly cold, poor, and needy. This "helmet of salvation" is wearing well with time, and it is the only thing which warms my heart and comforts my soul. Though all the world may scoff at it and call it "old hat" and out of style, I am not ready to give it up. I intend to wear it till the day I die. In fact, I want to be buried in it. (Oh, and as for the other hat, just throw it away, or give it to someone who needs a good old warm hat.)
*